What Is Cyclohexyl Salicylate?
Cyclohexyl Salicylate is an aroma chemical first documented in perfumery literature around 1958, when researchers were exploring new salicylate esters for both fragrance and sunscreen use. The material is produced by reacting salicylic acid with cyclohexanol in the presence of an acid catalyst, followed by purification to remove trace acids and colour bodies. This process relies on petrochemical feedstocks, though modern supply chains often incorporate a proportion of plant-based inputs, giving the ingredient a partly renewable profile.
At room temperature it appears as a clear, almost water-like liquid that pours easily yet carries a slightly oily feel. The ester is stable, has a low vapour pressure and shows good resistance to light and heat, which makes it attractive for a wide range of consumer products. It is not considered a niche novelty; most large fragrance houses keep it on their palette because it performs reliably in everything from fine fragrance to functional items such as fabric conditioners and bar soaps.
Cost-wise, Cyclohexyl Salicylate sits in the affordable tier, so perfumers can use it generously without pushing a formula into premium territory. Its straightforward manufacturing route and long commercial history mean global supply is steady, and quality grades are available from multiple producers. All in all, it is a practical workhorse that earns its place in many fragrance briefs.
What Does Cyclohexyl Salicylate Smell Like?
Perfumers usually file Cyclohexyl Salicylate under the floral family. Off a smelling blotter it opens with a soft jasmine-like note that feels rounded rather than indolic. Almost immediately a balsamic sweetness surfaces, adding depth while avoiding any heaviness. As the minutes pass a gentle green facet appears, similar to freshly snapped stems, which keeps the whole impression lively and natural.
In traditional fragrance structure we speak of top, middle and base notes. Top notes give the first burst, middle notes form the heart and base notes are what linger on skin and fabric. Cyclohexyl Salicylate bridges the middle and base zones. It has very little sparkle in the top but quickly anchors the heart of a composition and then persists for hours, sometimes days on a blotter.
Projection is moderate, meaning it radiates enough to be noticed without dominating a room. Longevity is one of its strengths; once blended into a perfume it quietly supports other florals long after lighter molecules have faded. That staying power makes it especially handy in soaps, detergents and long-wear fine fragrances where a consistent floral backdrop is needed.
How & Where To Use Cyclohexyl Salicylate
First off this is an easygoing material that behaves well on the perfumer’s bench. It pours cleanly, has very little odour in the air around the bottle and blends without drama into most bases.
The note itself sits in the floral heart so it shines when you need to round out jasmine, carnation, hyacinth or orchid accords. Its balsamic undertone fattens thin florals while the faint green twist keeps them from smelling syrupy. Reach for it when you want longer life than benzyl salicylate but a lighter touch than hexyl salicylate. It layers nicely with hedione, linalool and indole to build realistic white-flower bouquets.
Applications are broad. In fine fragrance it gives lift and tenacity to feminine bouquets and softens woody ambers. In soaps, shampoos and fabric conditioners it survives alkaline or acidic conditions and keeps the washroom smell floral for days. It tolerates most candle waxes yet the green nuance can mute if overheated so add it late in the blend. Where it struggles is in very high temperature air-freshener gels where extended heat can flatten its profile.
Manufacturers allow up to 10 percent but most formulas run at traces to 5 percent. At 0.1 percent it simply smooths rough edges. Around 2 percent the balsamic body becomes obvious. Push it to 8 percent and the material starts to dominate giving a creamy jasmine-like core that can smother delicate top notes.
No special prep is required beyond the usual: pre-dilute to 10 percent in dipropylene glycol or ethanol for easier weighing and quicker evaluation and give the stock a gentle warm-water bath if it turns sluggish in winter.
Safely Information
As with any fragrance ingredient certain precautions and considerations are needed before you start blending.
- Always dilute before smelling: prepare a 10 percent solution on a blotter instead of sniffing neat material
- Avoid direct inhalation: work in a well-ventilated space so vapours do not build up
- Personal protective equipment: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to keep the liquid off skin and out of eyes
- Health considerations: salicylate esters can trigger irritation or sensitisation in some people so limit contact time, seek medical advice if pregnant or breastfeeding and remember that prolonged or high-level exposure may be harmful even if brief low-level exposure is generally safe
Always consult the latest safety data sheet supplied with the batch verify any updates regularly and follow current IFRA guidelines on maximum use levels to keep your formulas compliant and safe.
Storage And Disposal
When kept under ideal conditions Cyclohexyl Salicylate typically stays in spec for three to five years. The clock starts when the drum or bottle is first opened so note that date on the label. Any change in colour or a sharp acidic edge to the odour signals that the material is past its best.
Refrigeration is helpful but not essential. A dedicated fragrance fridge set around 5 °C slows oxidation and keeps the liquid clear for longer. If cold storage is not available a shelf in a cool well-ventilated room works fine as long as the bottle is shielded from direct sunlight and positioned away from heaters, radiators or hot process equipment.
Choose amber glass or aluminium containers fitted with polycone caps so the seal stays tight even after many openings. Dropper tops seem convenient yet they let air creep in and the rubber bulbs can leach odour over time. Keep bottles as full as practical or decant excess into smaller flasks; a low air gap reduces headspace oxygen and helps preserve the floral character.
Label every container clearly with the chemical name batch number date opened and basic hazards such as “Eye irritant” or “H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.” A bright hazard sticker saves headaches if a visitor or colleague needs to locate or move the stock.
Spills wipe up immediately with paper towel then wash the area with detergent and plenty of water. Store saturated towels in a sealed poly bag before binning to stop lingering odour.
Cyclohexyl Salicylate is readily biodegradable yet it is toxic to aquatic life at higher doses. Small lab-scale residues can usually be flushed to the drain with copious running water and detergent but confirm local regulations first. Larger quantities should be mixed with an inert absorbent like sawdust or vermiculite then sent to a licensed chemical waste handler. Empty bottles need a triple rinse before recycling or disposal.
Summary
Cyclohexyl Salicylate is a budget friendly floral ester that lends a soft jasmine like heart backed by balsamic sweetness and a hint of green stem. It can bulk out carnation hyacinth orchid or any general bouquet while offering impressive staying power in fine fragrance soap or fabric care.
The ingredient has been a staple since the late 1950s because it is easy to source easy to blend and steady under most pH or temperature swings. Cost is moderate stability is high and its scent profile is specific enough to add character yet neutral enough to slot into many accords. All told it is a fun reliable building block for anyone exploring the floral palette.