Farnesol is a colourless liquid with a delicate floral odour. It is a sesquiterpenoid alcohol: dodeca-2,6,10-triene carrying methyl groups at positions 3, 7 and 11 and a hydroxy group at position 1. It occurs in essential oils such as citronella and neroli oils. In perfumery it is used to emphasise the odour of sweet floral perfumes such as lilac and cyclamen. It is insoluble in water and soluble in ethanol and oils. Cosmetic use is subject to the applicable cosmetic-ingredient conditions.