Volatile Oil Worst Fragrance Synthetic and Natural No known benefits Volatile Oil description Group of volatile fluids derived primarily from plants and used in cosmetics primarily as fragrant additives. These components most often include a mix of alcohols, ketones, phenols, linalool, borneol, terpenes, camphor, pinene, acids, ethers, aldehydes, citral, and sulfur, all of which have extremely sensitising effects on skin. Volatile oils also bring benefits to skin, most notably from their antioxidants, but there are other ingredients, including many natural ingredients, that provide these same benefits without the risk of aggravating skin.