What Is Clearwood Prisma?
Clearwood Prisma is a specialty aroma material that gives perfumes a modern woody signature anchored in patchouli. It is made by DSM-Firmenich, a global supplier of fragrance ingredients, yet you may also come across re-packed or generic versions offered by smaller distributors.
The ingredient is produced through a biotech process where natural sugars are fermented by carefully selected yeast. This controlled method creates high levels of patchoulol, the heart of patchouli oil, while leaving behind the earthy off-notes often found in the raw plant extract.
At room temperature the material sets into an off-white solid that softens quickly when warmed or diluted in alcohol. Perfumers typically keep it in liquid form by pre-blending a small amount of solvent.
Clearwood Prisma is already popular in fine fragrance and home scenting because it delivers a clean patchouli effect without the heaviness of traditional patchouli oil. You will also spot it in shampoos, soaps and detergent bases where stability and clarity matter.
When stored in a cool dark place with the cap tightly closed it keeps its quality for around two to three years. Compared with rare natural oils it sits in the mid price range, offering excellent impact for the cost.
Clearwood Prisma’s Scent Description
This material is grouped in the woody family thanks to its unmistakable patchouli DNA.
On a blotter the opening feels airy and almost creamy, like polished wood sprinkled with a hint of amber sweetness. Within minutes a mossy nuance appears, bringing the sensation of damp forest floor yet without any rough edges. As the scent settles the warm wood facet grows richer, joined by a soft cocoa tone that keeps it inviting rather than dark.
Perfumers speak about notes in three stages. Top notes flash off first, middle notes form the heart and base notes linger the longest. Clearwood Prisma behaves as a base note. It rises slowly, anchors other materials and can be smelled on paper or skin many hours after the lighter notes have disappeared.
Projection is moderate so it will not overpower a blend, but its persistence is impressive. A small dose supports a fragrance for eight hours or more, extending wear while adding a clean contemporary take on patchouli.
How & Where To Use Clearwood Prisma
Perfumers reach for Clearwood Prisma when they want the depth of patchouli without its darker edges. It slides naturally into modern chypres, woody ambers, gourmand woods and florientals, supplying a clean yet mellow base that rounds harsher ingredients like vetiveryl acetate or Iso E Super. Because of its smoothness it can also replace part of natural patchouli to lift heavier blends that risk smelling muddy.
In an accord it often partners with cashmeran, Ambroxan or cedar molecules to build a creamy wood effect, then it anchors floral hearts such as rose or ylang ylang so they linger longer. At trace levels below 0.5 percent it acts mainly as a fixative, adding subtle warmth without identifiable character. In the 1 to 3 percent range the distinct patchouli-amber facet becomes clear and the material spreads a velvety aura. Pushing past 4 percent gives a rich, almost mossy wood block that can mask delicate notes and weigh down top accords.
The ingredient performs well in most formats: eau de parfum, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, candles and fabric softener. It is less suited to high pH bleach cleaners where its patchoulol core can degrade, so formulators often cap the dosage or switch to sturdier woody synthetics in those cases.
Over-use risks a flat, overly resinous drydown and can introduce a vague mustiness once the fragrance has aged a few months. Balancing it with sparkling musks or a crisp citrus fraction helps preserve brightness. As a solid at room temperature Clearwood Prisma benefits from gentle warming to 30 °C in a water bath before weighing to ensure homogeneous scooping. Many labs dissolve it to 50 percent in dipropylene glycol or ethanol for easier pipetting and more precise trial work.
Typical usage ranges from 0.1 to 5 percent of the concentrate depending on the desired impact. Start low, assess the blend after full maceration, then inch upward if extra body is needed. Always document the final level so IFRA compliance can be confirmed later.
Safely Using Clearwood Prisma
Dilution is key so prepare a solution before evaluating the scent. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle because concentrated vapors can overwhelm the nose. Work in a well ventilated area to limit inhalation of airborne droplets and put on gloves plus safety glasses to protect skin and eyes from accidental splashes.
Like many aroma chemicals Clearwood Prisma can provoke skin irritation or sensitisation in some individuals, especially at higher strengths. Brief exposure to low concentrations is usually safe yet prolonged handling or repeated contact raises the likelihood of reactions. Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should talk to a healthcare professional before working with fragrance materials.
If the material contacts skin wash promptly with soap and water. In case of eye exposure rinse with clean water for several minutes and seek medical advice if discomfort persists. Spills should be absorbed with inert material then disposed of in accordance with local regulations, never poured directly into drains.
Always keep the latest Safety Data Sheet from your supplier on file and review it periodically for updates. Follow the current IFRA guidelines for maximum usage levels in each product category to ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance.
How To Store & Dispose of Clearwood Prisma
Store Clearwood Prisma in tightly sealed glass or aluminium containers kept in a cool dark place away from direct sunlight and heaters. Refrigeration is not mandatory yet it can slow oxidation and preserve the bright woody facets for longer. Let refrigerated stock reach room temperature before opening to avoid condensation that can introduce water into the concentrate.
Use bottles fitted with polycone caps for both neat material and dilutions. These liners create a snug seal that limits air exchange far better than dropper tops, which often leak and invite evaporation. Fill bottles close to the shoulder so the headspace stays small; less oxygen means fewer degradation reactions over time.
Label every container clearly with the ingredient name, CAS number, batch date and any hazard statements from the Safety Data Sheet. Good labelling avoids mix-ups, speeds compliance checks and protects anyone who may handle the material later.
For disposal, never pour leftovers into sinks or outdoor drains. Although the main constituent patchoulol is biodegradable under aerobic conditions, concentrated fragrance materials can still harm aquatic life if released untreated. Small residues can be absorbed onto paper towels then placed in sealed waste destined for incineration. Larger volumes should go through a licensed chemical waste contractor who can arrange controlled combustion or specialised recycling where available.
Summary
Clearwood Prisma is a biotech-derived woody base rich in patchoulol that captures the smooth ambered side of patchouli without its muddy earth notes. Its long-lasting creamy wood profile makes it a go-to tool for modern chypres, florientals and gourmand woods where it anchors accords and extends wear.
Perfumers value its predictable behaviour, mid-range cost and versatility across fine fragrance and functional products. Stability is good when shielded from heat and oxygen although prolonged exposure to air will dull its brightness over time. Because it arrives as a solid, gentle warming or pre-dilution improves handling accuracy.
Commercial quantities can be ordered directly from DSM-Firmenich or authorised distributors. Hobbyists and small brands often purchase repacked lots from specialty perfume suppliers who carry the branded material or a generic equivalent under the same CAS number.