Camphor is a naturally occurring bicyclic ketone associated with the wood and essential oil of Cinnamomum camphora and is also commercially produced synthetically. It is a distinctive aromatic cosmetic ingredient recognized for its fresh, camphoraceous odor and cooling sensory effect. Camphor has the molecular formula C₁₀H₁₆O and a molecular weight of 152.23 g/mol.
Camphor is used in a variety of personal-care and cosmetic formulation systems, particularly where a characteristic refreshing aroma or sensory effect is desired. Cosmetic ingredient references identify functions including fragrance, denaturant and plasticiser, while other formulation references also describe antimicrobial, masking and soothing functions.
Because Camphor is a potent aromatic material, its concentration and intended use should be carefully evaluated during cosmetic formulation development.
Camphor is identified primarily by CAS Number 76-22-2. Depending on the stereochemical form and source, other CAS identifiers are used, including 464-49-3 for (+)-Camphor and 21368-68-3 for dl-Camphor. The primary chemical name is 1,7,7-Trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one, also known as 2-Bornanone or Bornan-2-one.
Camphor has the molecular formula C₁₀H₁₆O and molecular weight 152.23 g/mol. It is generally supplied as a white to grey or pale translucent crystalline solid or fused crystalline mass with a characteristic camphoraceous aroma.
The physical and optical properties depend on whether the material is natural, synthetic or a defined stereoisomer. USP identifies natural Camphor by a specific rotation of +41° to +43°, while synthetic Camphor is optically inactive. USP also specifies a melting range of 174–179°C.
Camphor is primarily relevant to cosmetics for its fragrance and refreshing sensory characteristics. Its strong aromatic profile can provide a distinctive cooling and fresh impression in personal-care products.
Cosmetic ingredient references also identify Camphor as a denaturant, where it can be used to make cosmetic alcohol-containing preparations unsuitable for consumption, and as a plasticiser in specific formulation contexts.
Camphor is also associated with antimicrobial and preservative-related functionality in some formulation references. However, antimicrobial activity should not automatically be interpreted as authorization for use as a preservative in every cosmetic formulation. The intended function, concentration and regulatory requirements should be evaluated for the specific finished product and target market.
Camphor Cosmetic Ingredient can be considered for skin-care products, cleansing formulations, soaps, scalp and hair-care preparations, deodorant products, cooling gels, balms and fragrance-oriented personal-care systems.
Its characteristic aromatic profile can help create fresh, herbal and cooling fragrance compositions. It can also contribute a recognizable sensory effect to selected skin and body-care products.
Camphor can be incorporated into oil-based systems and suitable organic solvent systems. For aqueous formulations, the formulator should evaluate solubilization and compatibility because Camphor has limited water solubility.
The appropriate concentration depends on the intended cosmetic function, formulation type and applicable regulatory requirements. Camphor should therefore be evaluated as part of the complete finished-product formulation rather than as an isolated raw-material characteristic.
Camphor is a crystalline material with a relatively high melting range of approximately 174–179°C for the general pharmacopoeial material. It is also capable of sublimation, which makes tight packaging important during storage and handling. USP recommends preserving Camphor in tight containers and avoiding excessive heat.
For quality control, important parameters can include identity, melting range, optical rotation, nonvolatile residue, appearance and related impurities. The optical rotation requirement is particularly relevant when distinguishing natural or optically active Camphor from synthetic or racemic material.
USP specifies nonvolatile residue NMT 0.05%. For natural Camphor, specific rotation is +41° to +43°, while synthetic Camphor is optically inactive. These values should not be combined into one universal specification because they depend on the source and stereochemical form.
Camphor is practically insoluble or slightly soluble in water but is soluble in suitable organic solvents and oils. Storage should protect the material from excessive heat and unsuitable environmental exposure.
Camphor is an established specialty aromatic raw material for personal-care and cosmetic formulation systems. A reliable Camphor Cosmetic Ingredient Manufacturer in India can provide material with defined chemical identity, source or stereochemical characteristics, purity and physical specifications.
As a Camphor manufacturer and supplier in India, Swapnroop can support bulk requirements for cosmetic raw materials and specialty personal-care ingredients. Product specifications can be established according to the intended application, natural or synthetic source, analytical requirements and customer quality standards.
For commercial formulation development, controlling melting range, optical rotation where applicable, nonvolatile residue, identity and physical characteristics can help maintain consistency between batches.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White or colourless crystals / white powder |
| Assay (HPLC) | NLT 96.0% |
| Loss on Drying | NMT 0.5% |
| Residue on Ignition | NMT 0.1% |
| Water Content | NMT 0.5% |
| Specific Rotation | +41° to +43° |
| Melting Point | 174–179°C |