What Is Cyclozonal?
Cyclozonal is a modern aroma ingredient introduced to perfumers in 2002 after research aimed at expanding the watery note palette that began with the success of CALONE in the 1990s. Although it starts from upcycled turpentine obtained from paper-industry softwoods, the material that reaches the perfumer’s palette is produced through a controlled chemical synthesis. As such it is classed as a nature-derived synthetic rather than a straight botanical extract.
At room temperature Cyclozonal is a clear mobile liquid that pours easily and blends without difficulty into most perfume bases and functional product concentrates. It has a green score of up to 100 percent and more than half of its carbon atoms come from renewable sources, making it attractive for brands focused on sustainability.
The ingredient’s production benefits from the wide availability of softwood by-products, so supply is steady and pricing tends to sit in the accessible bracket for most fragrance houses. You will find it not only in fine fragrance but also in shampoos, soaps, detergents, candles and other everyday scented goods, showing its versatility and popularity with both creative and technical perfumers.
What Does Cyclozonal Smell Like?
In classic perfumery language Cyclozonal is grouped in the aldehydic family.
Off a blotter the first impression is a brisk ozone burst that feels like fresh sea air mingled with the scent of wet leaves. Almost instantly a watery nuance appears, giving a cool splash effect that lightens the profile. As the minutes tick by a delicate floral touch reminiscent of muguet (lily of the valley) peeks through, rounding the edges and preventing the molecule from smelling too metallic or sharp. The overall impression is clean airy freshness with a subtle green aromatic tone.
When talking about perfume structure we usually break it into top middle and base notes. Cyclozonal sits between the top and the heart: it lifts the opening yet stays long enough to shape the middle phase. On skin it projects firmly during the first hour then settles to a soft ambient aura. On a smelling strip its character remains noticeable for roughly a day before fading, so in blends it helps extend freshness without weighing the formula down.
How & Where To Use Cyclozonal
Perfumers tend to describe Cyclozonal as a friendly material. It pours cleanly, dissolves fast in alcohol or common solvent bases and does not darken or gum up the beaker. That alone makes it a go to when you want an instant shot of airy freshness without wrestling with solubility issues.
Olfactorily it shines as a top to heart bridge. In a citrus cologne a touch of 0.2 – 0.5 % lifts bergamot and grapefruit, pushing a crisp sea breeze effect that feels livelier than plain aldehydes. In modern floral bouquets 1–2 % reinforces muguet accords, adding watery sparkle that stops white flowers from smelling too dense. It is also popular in tea, bamboo and spa themes where you want a sense of humid air and clean linens.
When concentration climbs above 3 % the material’s ozone edge turns metallic and can overshadow delicate notes. Used sparingly it is transparent and fresh, used boldly it becomes a statement marine note. That dual personality lets creative perfumers decide whether Cyclozonal plays backup singer or steals the mic.
Functional products appreciate its stability. In laundry softener 0.1 % boosts the perceived purity of the base perfume and survives the rinse cycle. In shampoo it pairs well with mint or cucumber for a shower fresh vibe. It is less convincing in heavy gourmand or oriental themes where its watery chill can seem out of place.
Most labs pre dilute Cyclozonal to 10 % in ethanol or dipropylene glycol for easier pipetting and finer dose control. Store the stock in glass or fluorinated plastic since long contact with regular HDPE may cause slight swelling over time. No special antioxidants or stabilisers are required.
Safety Information
Working with Cyclozonal, like any aroma chemical, calls for basic laboratory precautions.
- Always Dilute Before Smelling: Prepare a 10 % or lower solution before evaluating the scent to avoid nasal fatigue or irritation.
- Avoid Direct Inhalation: Never sniff straight from the bottle. Waft vapours gently toward the nose or use a scent strip in a ventilated space.
- Use Adequate Ventilation: Blend or weigh the material under a fume hood or near an extraction fan to keep airborne concentration low.
- Wear Protective Gear: Gloves and safety glasses minimise the risk of splashes reaching skin or eyes.
- Health Considerations: Some aroma chemicals can trigger skin irritation or allergies. If pregnant or breastfeeding consult a medical professional before prolonged handling. Brief exposure to low levels is generally safe but high or repeated exposure should be avoided.
Always consult the latest safety data sheet supplied by your vendor and review it periodically as updates occur. Follow any applicable IFRA guidelines for maximum usage levels to ensure consumer safety.
Storage And Disposal
When sealed tight and kept in ideal conditions Cyclozonal stays fresh for around three to four years before any noticeable shift in odour. Some labs report even longer stability yet quality control checks each season are still wise.
Refrigeration is not mandatory but a spot in a fragrance fridge set between 4 °C and 8 °C can add extra insurance, especially for open bulk drums that will be used slowly. Otherwise a cool dark cupboard away from radiators or sunny windows is fine. Heat and light accelerate oxidation which dulls the ozone sparkle that makes the ingredient special.
Use bottles fitted with polycone caps for stock solutions or pre dilutions. The conical liner forms a tight seal that beats dropper tops which often let solvent evaporate and air creep in. For the same reason try to decant into the smallest container that will hold the volume so the headspace stays minimal.
Label every bottle clearly with the name Cyclozonal, dilution strength, date of preparation and basic hazard icons. Future you or a colleague will thank you when the bench gets crowded.
In terms of disposal Cyclozonal scores well on green metrics yet it is still an industrial chemical. Small laboratory residues can usually go into the dedicated solvent waste stream for later energy-recovery incineration. Avoid pouring neat material down the drain unless local regulations permit and flush with plenty of water only after heavy dilution. Empty glass can be rinsed, allowed to dry then recycled.
Keep absorbent pads or kitty litter on hand to tackle spills, ventilate the room and wipe surfaces with ethanol to remove any lingering scent film.
Summary
Cyclozonal is a nature-derived aldehydic molecule that channels fresh marine air touched with watery muguet. It lifts citrus, polishes florals and gives spa-clean clarity to shampoos, soaps and fine fragrances alike. Easy to handle, affordable and backed by renewable carbon content it has become a staple on many perfumers’ benches.
The material is fun to experiment with because a tiny drop whispers cool purity while a bolder dose turns the whole formula into a breezy seascape. Stability is good, cost moderate and the scent profile specific enough that it rarely clashes yet distinct enough to be noticed. If your brief calls for an airy clean mood Cyclozonal is a reliable choice that lets creativity flow without technical headaches.