What Is Cinnamon Sri Lanka Sfe?
Cinnamon Sri Lanka Sfe is a natural cinnamon bark extract produced by DSM-Firmenich through supercritical CO2 extraction. The letters Sfe stand for Supercritical Fluid Extraction which is a gentle low-heat method that keeps the full aromatic profile of the raw bark intact.
The bark used comes from Cinnamomum verum trees grown in Sri Lanka, a region famous for light sweet cinnamon. Other aroma suppliers may offer a similar CO2 extract from the same species so the material is not exclusive, yet the DSM-Firmenich grade is widely stocked by fragrance houses.
At room temperature the ingredient is a clear to amber liquid that pours easily. It keeps its scent character for about two years if stored in a cool dark place with the cap tightly closed. Past that point it will slowly lose brightness but can still be serviceable in soaps or candles.
Perfumers value this extract because it feels richer and more gourmand than standard steam-distilled cinnamon oil. Despite the added depth it is still simple to work with since it is fully miscible in alcohol and most oils. Pricing sits in the mid-range: not as costly as oud or orris but pricier than synthetic cinnamic aldehyde.
The material is common in fine fragrance, home scent and personal care formulas. Its warm sweet spice bridges gourmand accords with woods or florals making it a reliable tool on many briefs.
Cinnamon Sri Lanka Sfe’s Scent Description
This extract falls firmly in the spicy family.
On a blotter the first impression is a burst of fresh ground cinnamon, warm and slightly sparkly. Within seconds a creamy woody tone surfaces giving the feeling of polished cedar chests dusted with sugar and clove. As it settles a faint vanilla-like sweetness appears that makes the aroma feel almost edible.
The note sits in the heart of a perfume but has reach into the top and base. It opens bright enough to be noticed in the first sniff, then anchors the composition for several hours thanks to its woody drydown.
Projection is moderate. It radiates a cozy halo rather than shouting across the room. Longevity on skin or fabric is solid at six to eight hours, longer in rich bases like balsams or resins.
How & Where To Use Cinnamon Sri Lanka Sfe
Perfumers reach for Cinnamon Sri Lanka Sfe when they want a rounded cinnamon note that feels smoother and more gourmand than steam-distilled oil. It slips easily into spicy hearts, amber bases and modern gourmand accords where its creamy sweetness bridges resinous and edible facets. In a classic oriental it can replace part of clove or benzoin to give extra warmth without introducing harsh phenolic edges. In fruity chypres a micro-dose lifts baked-apple nuances and lends an inviting pastry effect.
Usage levels usually sit between 0.05 % and 1 % in fine fragrance, creeping up to 2 % in soaps or candles where some of the nuance is lost in hot throw. At trace levels the material reads as a soft woody lift with only a hint of spice. Around 0.5 % its true cinnamon heart blooms, radiating sweet bark and vanillic vibes. Push it toward 3-5 % and the note becomes intensely fiery with an almost red-hots impression that can dominate an accord and risk skin sensitisation.
Cinnamon Sri Lanka Sfe is surprisingly versatile for functional products. It survives alkaline soap bases, blends well with surfactants in shampoos and remains stable during candle curing. It is less suitable for high-chlorine cleaners where its delicate top notes can bleach out. The extract is oil-soluble so it needs premixing into a small amount of dipropylene glycol or ethanol before adding to water-based bases to avoid clouding.
Over-use can clash with light floral or marine themes, turning the composition dense and bakery-like. A small percentage of citrus, pink pepper or ginger will keep the profile bright and prevent the accord from feeling heavy. If more wood is desired cedar, sandalwood or ISO E Super amplify the dry bark character without extra sweetness.
The material arrives as a pourable liquid that usually requires no warming, yet it may thicken slightly in cool labs. Gentle rolling of the sealed bottle will re-homogenise the extract. Always weigh the raw material rather than relying on drops, as its density differs from essential oil. Clean beakers promptly with ethanol because residues cling to glassware.
Safely Using Cinnamon Sri Lanka Sfe
Dilution is key so prepare a 10 % solution in alcohol or neutral carrier before evaluation. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle; instead fan vapour toward the nose from a scented blotter. Work under good ventilation or near a fume hood to prevent inhaling concentrated vapours. Gloves and safety glasses should be standard whenever handling the neat extract or strong dilutions.
Cinnamon bark materials can provoke skin irritation or sensitisation in susceptible individuals. Rinse any accidental skin contact with plenty of soap and water and discontinue use if redness appears. Those with asthma or respiratory conditions should take extra care with vapour levels. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a healthcare professional before prolonged exposure.
Brief exposure to low concentrations is generally considered safe yet extended handling at higher levels can lead to headaches, eye irritation or dermatitis. Keep work areas clean, wipe spills quickly and store the closed bottle away from heat sources to minimise vapour build-up.
Dispose of waste solutions according to local regulations, never down household drains. Seal empty containers and send them to chemical recycling where possible.
Finally always consult the latest Safety Data Sheet supplied by your vendor and revisit it regularly as revisions occur. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum allowable dosage in each product category to ensure your formula remains both compliant and consumer friendly.
How To Store & Dispose of Cinnamon Sri Lanka Sfe
Store Cinnamon Sri Lanka Sfe in tightly closed amber glass bottles kept in a cool dark cupboard. A fridge set around 5 °C will slow oxidation and is helpful if you buy more than you plan to use within a year. Let chilled bottles reach room temperature before opening to avoid moisture condensing inside.
Use polycone caps for both neat material and dilutions. These caps create a snug seal that keeps air and moisture out. Avoid dropper tops because they leak vapour and allow oxygen to creep in. When possible decant into smaller bottles as you work through a larger stock. Keeping each bottle almost full limits headspace and protects the delicate top notes.
Label every container clearly with the ingredient name, CAS number, percent dilution, and the date it was prepared. Add hazard pictograms or phrases from the Safety Data Sheet so anyone picking up the bottle knows the risks at a glance.
Cinnamon Sri Lanka Sfe is slowly biodegradable yet still classed as hazardous to aquatic life in concentrated form. Collect rinse water, wipes, and leftover blends in a sealed waste jar. Once full, hand the jar to a licensed chemical disposal service or your local household hazardous waste center. Do not pour large amounts into sinks or outdoor drains.
Empty bottles should be triple-rinsed with alcohol, then air-dried and recycled if facilities allow. If recycling is not possible, cap and discard them with other solvent waste. Keep written records of how you dispose of any bulk quantity so you can prove environmental compliance.
Summary
Cinnamon Sri Lanka Sfe is a supercritical CO2 extract of Ceylon cinnamon bark that captures a warm sweet woody spice profile richer than classic steam-distilled oil. In perfumery it lends creamy gourmand depth to oriental, amber, and bakery-inspired accords while remaining usable in soaps, shampoos, and candles.
The material sits in the mid to premium price tier but its strong diffusion means low dosages go a long way. It stays stable for two to three years when shielded from heat, light, and oxygen although refrigeration can push that window further. Scent specificity is high so even small amounts can steer a blend toward a recognisable cinnamon effect.
Commercial volumes come straight from DSM-Firmenich or bulk essential oil traders. Hobbyists can pick up 5-30 g lots through specialty fragrance suppliers, candle craft stores, and online marketplaces that stock generic SFE cinnamon extracts. Whichever route you choose, mind the IFRA limits, work with proper safety gear, and enjoy the inviting warmth this spice brings to a formula.