What Is Citrathal Concentrate S Tw?
Citrathal Concentrate S Tw is an aroma chemical designed to give fragrance compositions a crisp lemon-lime sparkle. The material is sold by Givaudan, one of the world’s largest suppliers of perfume ingredients, though smaller firms may offer comparable citrus accords under different trade names.
The concentrate is created through a controlled synthesis that links small citrus-smelling molecules into a more robust structure. This extra step gives the product better chemical stability than natural citrus oils, which can oxidise quickly. Because the process is straightforward and uses favoured solvents, production remains relatively simple compared with many specialty ingredients.
At room temperature the material appears as a clear to slightly golden liquid, moving easily when the bottle is tilted. In most perfumers’ labs it sits on the everyday shelf rather than in cold storage, highlighting its practicality.
Citrathal Concentrate S Tw sees frequent use in fine fragrance, personal care and home care because it delivers the brightness of freshly squeezed citrus without the usual stability issues. An unopened drum stored well should remain in good shape for roughly two years, although many creators will finish it long before then.
Cost-wise it lands in the middle ground. It is not as cheap as basic citral or lemon oil yet far less costly than rare natural extracts, making it attractive for both mass and prestige formulas.
Citrathal Concentrate S Tw’s Scent Description
This ingredient sits squarely in the citrus family. Off a blotter it opens with the fizz of carbonated lemon-lime soda, quickly followed by the zesty bite of grated peel. Underneath the sparkle lurks a sweet, slightly waxy nuance that keeps the accord from smelling too sharp. A faint leafy note can appear after a few minutes, adding a gentle greenness.
Perfumers talk about top, middle and base notes. Top notes are the first impression, middle notes form the heart and base notes linger longest. Citrathal Concentrate S Tw functions firmly as a top note. It greets the nose almost immediately, then starts to soften within half an hour while still giving a clean citrus aura to the heart of the fragrance.
Projection is lively during the first fifteen minutes, making it ideal for the opening burst of shampoos, soaps and sprays. Longevity is modest by design: on a paper blotter the scent can be detected for about a day, though on skin or in products it generally fades within two to three hours unless anchored by heavier materials.
How & Where To Use Citrathal Concentrate S Tw
Perfumers reach for Citrathal Concentrate S Tw when they need a bright citrus lift that will last longer than natural lemon or lime oils. It is a reliable building block for top note accords, pairing well with bergamot, grapefruit, petitgrain or leafy aromatics to create a sparkling opening. In a classic cologne it can replace part of the lemon oil to boost freshness while resisting oxidation that would dull the scent over time.
The material also smooths out the edges of terpenic citruses, adding a gentle sweetness that makes the blend feel less harsh. Used at traces it subtly polishes floral or green bouquets, giving lily of the valley or lavender a sunny halo. At higher levels it can dominate, so soaps, shampoos and fabric sprays often employ 2-5 % to maintain a zesty signature that survives wash off. Household cleaners can push usage up to the manufacturer’s limit of 15 % because their high pH and exposure time demand extra stability.
Concentration guides perception. Below 0.1 % you get a whisper of peel that just lifts the formula. Around 1 % the lemon-lime chord becomes crystalline and mouth-watering. Beyond 5 % the note turns candied and can edge into “lemon pop” territory, risking an artificially sweet vibe that may clash with sophisticated themes. Overuse can also mask subtler top notes and create an unbalanced opening.
Because the liquid is pourable you usually weigh it straight from the bottle, though some perfumers pre-dilute to 10 % in ethanol or dipropylene glycol for finer dosing. Shake the concentrate before use to ensure even distribution of any settled components, then wipe the bottle rim to prevent polymerisation that could form gunky residues. In emulsions or gels add it during the cool-down phase to reduce volatilisation.
Citrathal Concentrate S Tw behaves well in most bases but may fade faster in high-temperature candle wax and can yellow pale lotions if used at very high levels. Always run a small pilot batch to check colour shift and scent endurance.
Safely Using Citrathal Concentrate S Tw
Dilution is key. Measure the concentrate into a solvent or carrier before evaluation so you are never handling full-strength material at nose level. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle; instead waft diluted blotters toward your face.
Work in a well-ventilated area or under a fume hood to disperse vapours. Protective gear such as nitrile gloves and safety glasses shields skin and eyes from accidental splashes.
Like many fragrance ingredients this molecule can cause skin irritation or trigger allergies in sensitive individuals. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a healthcare professional before prolonged work with any aroma chemical.
Brief exposure to low concentrations is generally regarded as safe yet repeated or high-dose contact may lead to respiratory or dermal issues. Keep bottles tightly closed when not in use and wipe spills immediately.
Dispose of waste according to local regulations, never down the sink. Store the material in a cool dark place away from heat sources or direct sunlight to slow oxidation.
Always review the latest Safety Data Sheet from your supplier and revisit it regularly since classifications can change. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum use levels in each product category to ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance.
How To Store & Dispose of Citrathal Concentrate S Tw
Store Citrathal Concentrate S Tw in a cool dark cupboard away from heaters or direct sunlight. A steady temperature around 20 °C keeps the liquid stable, yet light refrigeration can stretch the shelf life even further if you have the space.
Air is the main enemy. Choose bottles that you can keep almost full so there is little headspace. Polycone caps give a tighter seal than standard droppers and stop slow evaporation that could thicken the product over time. If you prefer to work from a diluted solution use the same cap style on the dilution bottle and avoid glass droppers that let oxygen creep in.
Label every container clearly with the ingredient name, the date you opened it and any hazard icons from the Safety Data Sheet. Good labeling helps you rotate stock and keeps visitors or helpers safe.
If a spill happens blot it with an absorbent material, then place the soaked pads in a sealed bag for disposal. Never hose the liquid into a sink or outside drain because the molecule is classed as non biodegradable and can harm aquatic life.
When the bottle is empty triple rinse it with a little solvent such as ethanol. Collect the washings in a waste drum and hand them to a licensed chemical disposal service. The clean glass can then enter normal recycling. Left-over concentrate should follow the same hazardous waste route rather than household trash.
Summary
Citrathal Concentrate S Tw is a synthetic lemon-lime note from Givaudan prized for its clean bright punch and better than average stability. It gives top notes extra sparkle, holds up in soaps, shampoos and cleaners, and stays affordable for both budget and prestige projects.
The material shines at up to 15 % in functional products yet even a drop at 0.1 % lifts floral or green accords. It lasts longer than natural citrus oils but still fades within a day on a strip so it is best paired with other fresh notes or anchored by longer lasting citruses.
Its moderate price, reliable performance and easy blending keep it on many perfumers’ benches. Just remember it can candy out if overdosed and it is not biodegradable so handle disposal responsibly.
Commercial buyers can order direct from Givaudan or through global raw-material brokers. Hobbyists will find smaller quantities at specialist fragrance suppliers and online resellers who rebottle from bulk drums into tester-friendly sizes.