Cinnamic Aldehyde (Cinnamal)

Cinnamic Aldehyde is a naturally occurring chemical that gives cinnamon its distinctive sweet taste and smell. It is used both as a perfume and as a flavoring. Cinnamic Aldehyde is the main component (up to 90%) of Cinnamon essential oil.

Allergic contact dermatitis from Cinnamic Aldehyde principally occurs from fragrances in cosmetics and household products. It is also a flavoring, particularly in toothpaste. Since perfumes and fragrances contain dozens of chemicals, a listing of the individual ingredients such as cinnamic aldehyde is not given. Thus an individual must avoid all fragranced cosmetics to be certain to prevent allergic contact dermatitis that is due to cinnamic aldehyde. Pre-testing with the fragrance prior to use is important and is done by applying a small amount on a limited area of the forearm twice daily for 1 week and then observing to see if a rash develops. Bakers may develop hand dermatitis due to this chemical from spices used in cooking. A generalized dermatitis from ingestion of foods and spices containing cinnamic aldehyde is quite uncommon.

• Cinnamon, Ceylon, and cassia oil

• Foods

• Fragrances (natural, sweet, or fruity scents)

• Fragranced household products

• Personal care products

• Plants such as hyacinth

• Vermouth

• Bitters

• Fungicide (CinnacureTM – used in agriculture)

• Insecticide (for mosquitoes)

• Corrosion inhibitor for steel

• Solvents and surfactants in industry

• Pet care products

• Cinnamal

• Cinnalmaldehyde

• 3-Phenyl-2-propenal

• Phenylacrolein

• 2-Propenal-3-phenyl

• Cinnamyl aldehyde

• Cassia Aldehyde

• Balsum of Peru

• Benzoin