What Is Clearwood Prisma 50 Hed?
Clearwood Prisma 50 Hed is an aroma chemical created by combining two complementary materials: a highly concentrated form of Clearwood and a measured amount of Hedione FAB for ease of handling. It first reached the market in 2014 and quickly gained attention as the fragrance industry’s debut ingredient produced with white biotechnology.
The process begins with sustainably sourced sugarcane that is fermented by a carefully selected micro-organism. This fermentation yields patchoulol, which is then purified to at least 90 percent concentration before being blended at a 50 percent ratio with Hedione FAB. The outcome is a ready-to-use liquid that pours easily at room temperature and remains stable in both hot and cold conditions.
Although its carbon atoms start life in a plant, the extensive lab work involved means Clearwood Prisma 50 Hed occupies a middle ground between natural and synthetic. Perfumers appreciate this dual personality because it offers the reliability of a lab-designed material along with a sustainability story consumers can understand.
In terms of availability, it has moved beyond niche boutiques and is now stocked by most major fragrance supply houses. Pricing sits in the midrange compared with other woody ingredients, so it is accessible for fine fragrance work and also economical enough for use in soaps, candles and household products.
What Does Clearwood Prisma 50 Hed Smell Like?
This ingredient is generally grouped in the woody family. On a blotter it opens with a clean patchouli signature that feels polished rather than raw. The first impression is dark wood soaked in mellow warmth, followed by a creamy amber quality that keeps the tone smooth. As minutes pass a subtle oakmoss nuance surfaces, adding a gentle forest-floor effect without turning earthy or dirty.
Perfumers sort scent impressions into top, middle and base notes. Tops are the fleeting spark, middles build character and bases provide the long tail. Clearwood Prisma 50 Hed sits firmly in the base category. Once applied it anchors a composition for many hours, lending depth and a sense of rounded woodiness long after livelier notes have faded.
Projection is moderate: strong enough to be noticed in the air but not so forceful that it overpowers lighter partners. Longevity is excellent, often extending past the eight-hour mark on skin and much longer on fabric or blotter, making it a dependable backbone for both personal and functional fragrances.
How & Where To Use Clearwood Prisma 50 Hed
Clearwood Prisma 50 Hed is a pleasure to handle: it pours smoothly, does not stain bench tops and blends into alcohol or oil without fuss. Perfumers often describe it as a “plug and play” woody base that behaves predictably in both trials and scale-up.
Olfactively it works best as a foundation note. Drop it into a classic patchouli accord to modernise the profile or use it as the sole woody anchor when you want the bottom of a fragrance to feel polished yet substantial. Because it carries a creamy amber glow you can also slip it under musks or vanilla to give them extra volume without adding another obvious note.
You would typically reach for this material over straight patchouli oil when you need cleanliness, batch-to-batch consistency or a lighter colour. It is also a smart substitute for oakmoss in chypre styles if allergen limits make natural moss impractical.
Applications are broad. In fine fragrance and body sprays it lends long-lasting depth. In soaps, shower gels and shampoos it survives saponification and leaves a soft patchouli trail on skin. It withstands the heat of candle making with no noticeable shift. Household cleaners and fabric softeners benefit from its substantive woody warmth, though the note can feel too luxurious for a budget-focused all-purpose cleaner.
Dosage normally sits between 0.1 and 5 percent of the concentrate. At below 0.5 percent it gives a gentle cushion, at 1-2 percent the patchouli character becomes distinct and at the higher end it dominates with a velvety dark wood that may shadow delicate florals.
Prep work is minimal. A quick swirl before weighing is enough to homogenise the Hedione dilution. If you plan to mix it into a water-based base you will need a solubiliser as the material is oil soluble.
Safely Information
When working with Clearwood Prisma 50 Hed certain precautions and considerations are essential to keep the creative process safe and compliant.
- Always dilute before evaluation: prepare a 10 percent or weaker solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol prior to smelling
- Avoid direct inhalation: never sniff straight from the bottle, instead fan the blotter lightly toward the nose
- Ensure ventilation: work under a fume hood or next to an open window to prevent build-up of vapours
- Wear protective gear: nitrile gloves prevent skin contact and safety glasses guard against accidental splashes
- Health considerations: some users may experience irritation or sensitisation, brief exposure to low levels is generally considered safe but prolonged or high-concentration contact should be avoided, consult a medical professional if pregnant or breastfeeding
Always review the most recent safety data sheet supplied by your vendor and check it periodically for updates. Follow any IFRA guidelines on maximum usage to ensure your formulas meet current industry standards.
Storage And Disposal
When kept in the right conditions a sealed bottle of Clearwood Prisma 50 Hed stays fresh for roughly three to four years before any noticeable drift in scent or color shows up. Some labs push that out to five years with careful handling but plan on checking it once a year after the third birthday.
Refrigeration is helpful yet not required. A fridge set around 4 °C slows oxidation and keeps the material thick and stable. If a fridge is not handy a shelf in a cool dark cupboard away from direct sunlight and heat sources works well. Fluctuating warmth is the main enemy so avoid spots near radiators or sunny windows.
Pay attention to closures. Polycone caps give a snug seal that limits air exchange and stops leaks during shipping. Dropper tops often let oxygen creep in and can clog over time so they are better avoided for long-term storage. Try to decant into smaller bottles as you use the stock so each container stays as full as possible with minimal headspace.
Label every bottle clearly with the name Clearwood Prisma 50 Hed, the solvent if it is a dilution, the date it was bottled and any relevant hazard icons. A second line noting patchouli-type aroma and IFRA limits is useful when you revisit a formula months later.
Disposal is simple yet must be done with care. Small drips on blotters or glassware can be wiped with paper towel then placed in regular trash once the solvent has fully evaporated. Never pour leftover concentrate down the sink because even biodegradable materials can stress a home septic system. For larger volumes seal the liquid in a sturdy container and hand it to a licensed chemical waste service or community hazardous waste program. Incineration at an approved facility is the preferred end of life route.
The ingredient is made from sugarcane so it does break down more readily than many petroleum-based aroma chemicals but that still takes time. Sensible disposal keeps waterways safe and prevents strong smells from lingering in household bins.
Summary
Clearwood Prisma 50 Hed is a lab-polished patchouli note cut with Hedione for easy handling. It smells like smooth dark wood touched with creamy amber and a hint of oakmoss. Because it is clean and consistent it shines as a base in floral, chypre, gourmand and modern woody blends making it a fun tool for both beginners and seasoned perfumers.
The ingredient has become popular thanks to its sustainable biotech story, dependable performance and mid-range price. It stays stable in soap, candles and detergents yet still feels upscale enough for fine fragrance. Keep an eye on dosage so its rich personality does not drown delicate notes and store it with tight caps in a cool spot to protect that signature glow.