What Is Rosemary Sfe?
Rosemary Sfe is a liquid aromatic extract obtained from the stems and leaves of rosemary through supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, a method perfected for perfumery use in the mid 1990s. The process uses pressurised CO2 at around 73 bar and a modest temperature to draw out fragrant molecules while leaving behind plant waxes and unwanted residues.
Because the extraction relies solely on carbon dioxide and low heat the resulting material is classified as natural in origin, avoiding added solvents or synthetic boosters. The finished product appears as a clear to pale yellow mobile liquid that pours easily and blends swiftly with most perfume bases.
Supercritical CO2 technology is now well established in the fragrance industry so Rosemary Sfe is readily available from several suppliers. Its popularity stems from the high purity and the faithful capture of rosemary’s full aromatic spectrum, making it a staple in both fine fragrance and functional products. Although not the least costly herbal extract on the market it is considered reasonably priced for the quality it delivers, allowing use from premium perfumes to everyday household goods.
What Does Rosemary Sfe Smell Like?
Perfumers generally slot Rosemary Sfe into the herbal family.
On a blotter it opens with a brisk green snap that immediately reads as true rosemary. Within seconds a woody aromatic core unfolds, bringing pine-like facets and a gentle balsamic warmth that feels rounder and more resinous than a typical rosemary essential oil. The camphor note many people associate with rosemary is present but dialled back, letting softer leafy nuances and a subtle spice glow come through.
In terms of evaporation profile Rosemary Sfe performs as a solid middle note. You will catch a lively herbal lift in the early minutes yet the main body settles into the heart of a composition and stays perceptible for several hours before fading. Projection is moderate, giving a clean aromatic aura without overwhelming surrounding materials and its longevity on blotter usually stretches to half a day which is ample for layering with woods citruses or florals.
How & Where To Use Rosemary Sfe
First off this is a genuinely friendly material to handle; it pours cleanly, blends without fuss and its odour profile stays consistent from batch to batch. Many perfumers reach for it when they want the recognisable snap of rosemary but with less of the sharp camphor tone found in a steam distilled oil.
As a note it slots naturally into aromatic fougère and woody compositions where a green herbal lift is needed yet you still want a rounded resinous heart. It teams up effortlessly with pine materials, juniper, cedar and lavender and it can also add an appetising savoury twist to citrus colognes or tomato leaf accords. In a modern gourmand context a hint of Rosemary Sfe can even keep sweet notes from feeling cloying by adding a clean herbal counterpoint.
Formulators often choose this extract over the essential oil when they need better stability in soaps detergents or candles because the lower camphor content reduces harshness on skin and burn. The typical usage range is anywhere from a trace to about 5 percent of the concentrate in the finished fragrance. At 0.1 percent you will get a gentle leafy breath that supports citrus. Push it toward 2 percent and the material becomes clearly recognisable lending a Mediterranean kitchen freshness. Closer to 5 percent it dominates the heart adding a balsamic woody body that can edge into conifer territory.
No special prep is required beyond the usual practice of making a 10 percent ethanol or DPG dilution for accurate weighing and smelling. Because it is a pure natural extract it may contain tiny wax particles; a quick warm water bath followed by a shake clears any cloudiness before you measure it.
Safety Information
Although Rosemary Sfe is considered a safe and mild natural extract certain precautions and considerations are essential when working with any aroma chemical.
- Always dilute before evaluation: create a working solution so you are smelling a lower concentration rather than the neat material.
- Never smell directly from the bottle: use a blotter or strip to avoid overwhelming your senses.
- Ensure good ventilation: handle the ingredient in a well aired space to minimise inhalation of concentrated vapours.
- Wear protective gear: gloves and safety glasses help protect against accidental skin or eye contact.
- Health considerations: some individuals may experience irritation or allergic responses. If pregnant or breastfeeding consult a medical professional before prolonged use. Short low level exposure is normally fine though high or repeated exposure should be avoided.
For comprehensive risk assessment always consult the most recent safety data sheet issued by your supplier and follow current IFRA guidelines for permitted usage levels in each product category.
Storage And Disposal
When Rosemary Sfe is kept in ideal conditions it generally retains its full aromatic punch for three to four years, sometimes longer. After that you may notice a slow flattening of the top notes though the material is still usable if it smells clean.
The easiest way to stretch that shelf life is cool stable storage. A refrigerator set between 4 °C and 8 °C is perfect, but a cupboard in a consistently cool room works as long as the bottle stays out of direct sunlight and away from radiators or hot machinery.
Oxygen is the main enemy of any herbal extract. Use bottles that can be topped up so the headspace stays small and switch to a smaller container as your stock runs down. Dilutions last longer when capped with a polycone insert because it makes an airtight seal. Dropper bottles may look handy yet they allow slow evaporation and oxidation so reserve them for very short term trials.
If the liquid clouds or a light sediment appears, warm the bottle gently in a water bath and give it a swirl. This restores clarity and does not harm the fragrance profile.
Label every container with the name Rosemary Sfe, the dilution strength plus any hazard statements from the safety data sheet. Clear labelling prevents mix-ups and helps anyone in the workspace handle the material responsibly.
Small laboratory amounts can often be disposed of by diluting with plenty of running water because the extract is readily biodegradable. Larger volumes or used wipes should go into an absorbent material such as sand or kitty litter then placed in a sealed bag for chemical waste collection in line with local regulations. Never pour bulk quantities down the drain or into soil.
Summary
Rosemary Sfe is a natural CO2 extract that captures the full fresh woody character of rosemary in a cleaner less camphor-heavy form than the essential oil. It delivers a bright herbal snap followed by a mellow balsamic heart, making it a versatile middle note for fougère, citrus, gourmand and household accords.
Perfumers love working with it because it blends easily, behaves well in soap and candle bases and can swing from a discreet green accent to a dominant aromatic theme. Cost sits in the moderate bracket for naturals and stability is solid when stored correctly, though you will still want to watch for oxidation in partial bottles.
All in all Rosemary Sfe is a fun reliable ingredient that lets you add authentic Mediterranean freshness to everything from fine fragrance to dish soap without the rough camphor edges that sometimes limit classic rosemary oil.