Common Name(s): Isothymol,2-methyl-5-isopropylphenol,oregano active
CAS Number: 499-75-2
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides the strongest antimicrobial activity of common herb terpenes from oregano carvacrol.
Why It's Used: Maximum herb antimicrobial โ carvacrol provides the strongest broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of mediterranean culinary herb compounds with antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant benefits.
How It Works: Phenolic oh disrupts bacterial membrane causing atp leakage and ph gradient collapse (bactericidal). very broad spectrum โ mrsa, e. coli, c. albicans, aspergillus, p. acnes. anti-inflammatory via cox and 5-lox inhibition. antioxidant from phenol radical donation. anti-biofilm activity prevents drug-resistant biofilm formation.
Typically Found In: Anti-acne products,antimicrobial formulas,anti-dandruff
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active โ oregano primary active
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%โ1%
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: Potential irritant at high concentrations โ use diluted. ifra restriction for fragrance use.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Carvacrol's anti-mrsa activity (mic ~0.05-0.25 ฮผg/ml for most clinical isolates) provides significantly lower minimum inhibitory concentrations than many clinical antibiotics against mrsa. this exceptional antimicrobial potency, combined with the inability of bacteria to develop resistance to membrane-disrupting mechanism (vs enzyme-targeting antibiotics), makes carvacrol a pharmacologically validated alternative antimicrobial for antibiotic-resistant infection contexts.
Last Verified: 2026-03-12
Primary Sources: Cosing database,burt carvacrol antimicrobial review