Odours can be removed from hydrocarbons by bringing them into contact with aqueous alkali lye. According to the invention, the hydrocarbons are mixed with the aqueous lye in such a manner that the specific power input into the system from the liquid hydrocarbons and the aqueous liquid ranges from 2 and 200 W/kg (the method being carried out in a discontinuous manner) or from at least 1 kJ/kg and a maximum of 100 kJ/kg (the method being carried out in a continuous manner) and that the aqueous phase is subsequently separated from the oil phase. The hydrocarbons treated by the method are suitable for cosmetic preparations.