Bergalol: The Complete Guide To This Aroma Chemical

Curious about this ingredient? In this article we're explaining everything you need to know.
Updated on: July 29, 2025
Share:
Inside this article:

We verify all information on this page using publicly available standards from The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) and documentation provided directly by ingredient manufacturers. Our analysis is based on technical data from these sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.

What Is Bergalol?

Bergalol is an aroma chemical created to give perfumers a clean floral lift that feels instantly familiar. The best-known supplier is DSM-Firmenich, yet other scent houses may offer comparable grades under different trade names. Wherever it comes from, the core molecule remains the same so you can count on a consistent smell.

Production relies on modern chemical synthesis. Starting from simple building blocks, chemists assemble the molecule step by step, keeping waste to a minimum and following green chemistry goals whenever possible. The result is a clear, mobile liquid that stays fluid even in a cool studio.

Because it is free of the major allergens tied to natural linalool, Bergalol has found a home in fine fragrance, soaps, shampoos, detergents, candles and many other daily products. Its popularity has been growing steadily as brands look for safer options without giving up a fresh floral kick.

With good handling and storage, the material keeps its quality for around two to three years before the scent starts to dull. Pricing sits in the middle of the pack so it is neither a luxury splurge nor a bargain-basement solvent, making it accessible for hobbyists and larger factories alike.

Bergalol’s Scent Description

This ingredient is classed in the floral family yet it carries a bright citrus twist that sets it apart from classic rose or jasmine notes. When you test it on a blotter the first impression is a vivid flash of bergamot zest, almost fizzy like the top of an Earl Grey tea. A heartbeat later a soft lavender facet rolls in, giving the freshness a soothing herbal shade. Underneath both sits a gentle clean floral tone that ties everything together.

Perfumers talk about top, middle and base notes to describe how a scent unfolds over time. Bergalol starts in the top space thanks to its sparkling citrus aspect but it lingers into the middle where its floral core shows. That bridge effect makes it handy when you need a smooth path between bright openings and richer heart accords.

Projection is moderate so it will not shout across a room yet it stays present enough to add lift to a blend. On skin or fabric the molecule hangs on for about four to six hours before fading, giving you a reliable burst of freshness without overstaying its welcome.

How & Where To Use Bergalol

Perfumers reach for Bergalol when they want a clean floral sparkle that bridges citrus top notes and lavender or rose hearts. It freshens an opening the way linalool does but without triggering the same allergen limits so it is handy in formulations where regulatory room is tight.

In a cologne style accord Bergalol can sit with bergamot oil, petitgrain and neroli to extend the zest while adding subtle lavender lift. In fougère or aromatic blends it knits herbal notes together and keeps the core bright. A few drops in a soft floral bouquet help avoid a stuffy soapiness by injecting light green airiness.

Mainly used in fine fragrance, soaps and functional cleaners, Bergalol works well in water rich bases since its odour survives moderate pH swings. It is less suited to very high temperature processes such as hot pour sticks because excessive heat can dull its freshness.

Typical usage runs from trace levels up to about 5 percent of the total concentrate. At 0.1 percent it lends a barely there shimmer that smooths citrus. Around 1 percent the lavender facet steps forward and the material feels more floral. Pushed toward the upper end it can dominate a blend and may read slightly fatty so moderation is advised.

Over use risks flattening the top notes and masking delicate greens. It can also make a fragrance smell generic since the material is easy to recognise. Start low, smell, then inch upward only if the composition still needs lift.

For bench work dilute Bergalol to 10 percent in ethanol or dipropylene glycol before evaluating. The neat liquid pours easily but can cling to glass so wipe funnels and pipettes promptly. Because it combines well with most solvents no special pre blending tricks are required.

Safely Using Bergalol

Always dilute Bergalol before smelling, never sniff straight from the bottle. Work in a well ventilated space and avoid breathing concentrated vapours. Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses so the liquid does not touch skin or eyes.

Like many aroma chemicals it can irritate sensitive skin or trigger allergies in predisposed individuals. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding talk to a medical professional before extended work with any fragrance raw material. Brief handling of low concentrations is generally considered low risk yet repeated contact or high airborne levels can become harmful.

Clean spills with inert absorbent and dispose of the waste as chemical refuse. Do not tip remnants down the drain because aquatic life can suffer from fragrance residues. Store the bottle tightly closed in a cool dark cupboard away from sparks or direct sunlight.

Finally always consult the most recent Safety Data Sheet from your supplier and update your files whenever a new revision appears. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum usage in each product category to keep consumers and colleagues safe.

How To Store & Dispose of Bergalol

Good storage habits keep Bergalol fresh and smelling its best. A cool dark cupboard away from heaters or direct sun is usually enough, though placing the bottle in a refrigerator can stretch shelf life even further. If you chill it, allow the liquid to reach room temperature before opening so moisture in the air does not condense inside and dilute the contents.

Use bottles with tight polycone caps for both neat material and dilutions. These liners create a snug seal that blocks oxygen better than glass dropper tops which often let air creep in around the threads. Less air means slower oxidation and fewer off notes over time.

Try to keep containers as full as practical. Topping up small working bottles from a larger stock pack reduces the empty headspace where oxygen sits. Label every bottle clearly with “Bergalol,” the dilution strength, the date made and any hazard statements so you and anyone sharing the lab know exactly what is inside.

Store away from acids, strong bases or reactive metals that might accelerate degradation. Keep the outer box dry and upright to avoid leaks. Check caps periodically for crusting that can stop them sealing correctly.

When a batch has lost its sparkle or you no longer need it, treat Bergalol as chemical waste. It is not readily biodegradable so never pour leftovers into sinks or outside drains. Small hobby quantities can be soaked into cat litter or another inert absorbent, double-bagged and taken to a household hazardous waste facility. Larger volumes should go through licensed disposal companies that handle fragrance residues.

Summary

Bergalol is a liquid aroma ingredient from DSM-Firmenich that gives a bright mix of bergamot peel and lavender with a soft floral echo. Perfumers like it because it behaves much like linalool yet avoids the allergen restrictions tied to that classic material.

The note sits in the top to heart range, adds lift in colognes fougères and soft florals and stays stable in everything from fine fragrance to detergents. It is affordable thanks to industrial scale production and generally keeps its character for a couple of years if stored cool and tightly closed.

Pay attention to air exposure and heat, start with low dosages to avoid a generic smell and always follow safety data. Commercial houses can buy Bergalol direct from the manufacturer while hobbyists often pick up smaller packs from specialty resellers or suppliers of generic CAS-matched material.

Was this article helpful?
More from Glooshi:
ADVERTISEMENT
Get all our top headlines in beauty.
Delivered right to your inbox each week. Zero spam, all goodness, opt-out at anytime.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Send good feedback:

All feedback is greatly appreciated, anonymous, and will be used to improve the quality of our articles.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Send bad feedback:

All feedback is greatly appreciated, anonymous, and will be used to improve the quality of our articles.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.