What it is
Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil is a steam-distilled essential oil obtained from the heartwood of the rosewood tree, prized for its soft, floral-woody scent driven largely by its high linalool content. In sunscreens and other skincare it functions almost entirely as a fragrance or scent-masking ingredient rather than as an active. Because it is a volatile aromatic oil, it is typically used at very low concentrations.
Safety & warnings
As a linalool-rich essential oil, it can oxidize on exposure to air to form sensitizing degradation products, and it may contain other naturally occurring fragrance allergens. Linalool is a labeled fragrance allergen in the EU. Individuals with fragrance sensitivity or reactive skin may prefer to avoid it, and patch testing is reasonable for those prone to contact allergy.
Origin & sourcing
Natural; a steam-distilled essential oil from the wood of Aniba rosaeodora, a tree native to the Amazon basin. The species has faced sustainability and conservation pressure, so suppliers increasingly rely on managed plantations or distillation of leaves and branches.
Questions everyone asks
Does rosewood oil provide sun protection?
No. It is an aromatic essential oil used for fragrance and has no UV-filtering function in a sunscreen.
Why is it in a sunscreen formula?
It is generally added in small amounts to give the product a pleasant natural scent or to mask the base odor of other ingredients.