Essential Oils from East African Ocimum Species as Potential Sources of Fragrances for Cosmetic Applications: A Review

Abstract

Growing concerns over the safety and sustainability of synthetic fragrances have driven interest in natural alternatives, particularly essential oils. The potential application of East African Ocimum species in cosmetics remains largely underexplored despite their rich chemical and aromatic diversity. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, this study systematically examined 22 peer-reviewed articles on East African Ocimum essential oils published between 1984 and 2025. Data on species, plant part used, extraction method, essential oil yield, and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) profiles were retrieved from Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct and African Journal Online (AJOL) databases and search engines such as Google Scholar. Scent profiles and potential cosmetic applications were determined based on secondary literature. A total of 10 Ocimum species including O. basilicum, O. gratissimum, O. kilimandscharicum, O. americanum, O. lamiifolium, O. kenyense, O. urticifolium, O. suave, O. sanctum and O. canum were identified. Analysis of 53 essential oils revealed the presence of monoterpenoid, sesquiterpenoid, and phenylpropanoid classes of compounds, with 28 chemotypes recorded. Fragrance profiling yielded 7 aroma families, with camphoraceous/cooling notes being the most dominant. Based on chemical, aroma and functional profiles, 36, 28, and 15 oils were considered as potential fragrance ingredients for skincare, perfume and haircare formulations, respectively. The notable chemical and aromatic diversity of these essential oils underscores their potential applications in cosmetic formulations. To support bio-based economy in meeting the rising global demand for essential oils, standardized cultivation and extraction methods should be explored to ensure chemotype consistency and yield reliability. Collectively, Ocimum species essential oils in East Africa exhibit potential as natural sources of fragrance in cosmetic formulations based on their chemical and aromatic diversity.