Common Name(s): 2-bornanol,camphol,2-hydroxy-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane
CAS Number: 507-70-0
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides exceptional penetration enhancement and cooling from bicyclic terpene borneol.
Why It's Used: Premier terpene penetration enhancer โ borneol provides the highest documented penetration enhancement factor of naturally occurring terpenes, validated in both traditional chinese medicine and modern transdermal delivery research.
How It Works: Bicyclic structure provides excellent sc lipid fluidisation for penetration enhancement (enhancement ratio up to 30ร for model drugs). cooling via trpm8 receptor partial agonism. antimicrobial via gram-positive membrane disruption. anti-inflammatory via nf-kb inhibition. bing pian in tcm enhances other drug penetration.
Typically Found In: Tcm delivery systems,penetration-enhanced products,cooling formulas
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active โ bicyclic terpene
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.01%โ2%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional - supplier confirmation required
Halal Status: Unverified - supplier confirmation required
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: the record's own source_notes does not assert a non-animal origin, or instructs the reader to verify with the supplier; "yes" asserts knowledge the record does not hold. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Maximum 0.5% for leave-on (sccs). strong sensitiser at high concentrations. avoid in epilepsy. not for infant use.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Borneol's extraordinary penetration enhancement (up to 30ร for certain molecules) arises from its ability to interact with both keratinocyte proteins and stratum corneum lipids simultaneously: the bicyclic rigid ring disrupts ordered lipid packing while the hydroxyl group interacts with keratin protein hydration shell โ creating both lipid and protein pathway enhancement simultaneously, unlike most penetration enhancers that target only one pathway.
Last Verified: 2026-03-12
Primary Sources: Cosing database,williams & barry terpene penetration enhancement review