Eugenia Caryophyllus Oil Worst Irritante No known benefits Eugenia Caryophyllus Oil at a glance Commonly known as clove oil Frequent flavor additive Also used in some traditional medicine applications High eugenol content is a skin irritant Can be cytotoxic and genotoxic Eugenia Caryophyllus Oil description _Eugenia caryophyllus_, also called as _Syzygium aromaticum_, is a type of flowering tree native to Indonesia. Its fragrant flower buds are known as clove, and the oil steam distilled from the dried buds is known as clove oil. _Eugenia caryophyllus_ oil, or clove oil, is known the world over for its distinctive aromatic properties. It’s a frequent flavor additive to food and beverages and is one of the key elements of what’s known as “pumpkin pie spice.” This oil has also been used for many years both internally and topically as a traditional treatment of numerous ailments, including fevers and toothaches. Research points to clove essential oil’s benefit as an antimicrobial agent, mostly because of its high eugenol content (between 82-87%). Eugenol is a fragrance chemical that’s pro-oxidant, meaning it can trigger the development of free radicals that can damage skin. Studies show it’s also cytotoxic, meaning it can damage living cells, and genotoxic, meaning it can cause damage to DNA. None of this is good news for your skin! For these reasons, even though it might make a product smell good, it’s best to avoid any skin care containing clove oil and stick to using it in your food and drinks instead. Related ingredients: Clove Leaf Clove Oil