Encyclopedia
Fragrances
15 fragrance ingredients explained in plain English.
Alpha-Terpineol Alpha-Terpineol Fresh, clean, lilac-like terpene alcohol with a pine undertone, prized for its deodorising and fresh-floral character. Amyl Cinnamal Amyl Cinnamal Floral, jasmine-like aroma chemical with a powdery quality — a classic 'clean floral' note for soaps, detergents, and fine perfumery. Beta-Ionone Beta-Ionone Warm, woody-violet, powdery aroma chemical — the key molecule behind violet and orris scent in perfumery. Citronellol Citronellol Sweet, fresh, rosy-citrusy terpene alcohol used as a rose modifier, deodorant active, and insect repellent ingredient. Coumarin Coumarin Sweet, warm, hay-like aroma chemical with vanilla-tonka character, found naturally in tonka bean and cassia cinnamon. Ethyl Vanillin Ethyl Vanillin Synthetic vanilla molecule 3-4x stronger than vanillin, with a rich, creamy, caramel character prized in gourmand fragrances. Galaxolide Hexamethylindanopyran A polycyclic synthetic musk with a clean, warm, powdery-musky scent — one of the most widely used musks in personal care and home fragrance, though increasingly scrutinized for environmental persistence. Geraniol Geraniol A sweet, rosy, slightly citrusy monoterpene alcohol found naturally in palmarosa, rose, and geranium — used as a rose modifier, deodorant active, and insect repellent. Hedione Methyl Dihydrojasmonate The most widely used jasmine modifier in perfumery — a light, fresh, transparent jasmine note with green-citrusy facets that makes every fragrance around it bloom. Iso E Super Iso E Super (Octahydro-tetramethyl-naphthalenyl-ethanone) The single most famous aromatic chemical in modern perfumery — a woody, velvety, amber-cedar base note that adds volume and radiance to virtually any composition. Limonene Limonene (d-Limonene) The single most common terpene in citrus peels — a fresh, clean, orange-like aromatic that doubles as a powerful degreasing solvent, but oxidizes rapidly and requires careful storage. Linalool Linalool One of the most ubiquitous aromatic molecules in nature — a fresh, clean, slightly floral-woody note found in lavender, basil, rosewood, and hundreds of other plants. Phenylethyl Alcohol Phenylethyl Alcohol The molecule most responsible for the scent of roses — fresh, sweet, honey-rose — with useful antimicrobial properties. Raspberry Ketone Raspberry Ketone Single aroma compound responsible for the characteristic raspberry scent. Used at trace levels in fragrance, lip products, and sweet-scented cosmetics. Vanillin Vanillin Single aroma compound responsible for the dominant scent of vanilla. Naturally derived (from vanilla beans, lignin, or guaiacol) or synthesised. Used at trace levels in fragrance, soap, and lip products.