What Is Cyclohexyl Salicylate?
Cyclohexyl Salicylate is an aroma chemical created by reacting salicylic acid with cyclohexanol. The result is a stable ester that perfumers reach for when they need a smooth floral lift.
Givaudan first brought this material to market, yet other fragrance houses now offer similar grades under different trade names. Regardless of supplier, the core profile stays the same so formulas translate well between brands.
At room temperature the ingredient appears as a clear liquid with no visible tint. It pours easily, blends fast with alcohol or oil and needs no heating to stay fluid.
In day-to-day perfumery it is considered a workhorse. You will find it in fine fragrance, shampoo bases, bar soap and even household cleaners where it adds a refined floral nuance without overpowering the mix.
Shelf life is generous. Kept in a well-sealed container away from light and heat, most labs keep stock for around two to three years before noticing any drop in quality.
Pricing sits in the mid-range. It is not as cheap as simple solvents yet nowhere near the cost of rare naturals, making it an economical way to boost a floral accord.
Cyclohexyl Salicylate’s Scent Description
This material falls squarely in the floral family, leaning toward a fresh petal effect rather than heavy indolic notes.
Off a blotter the first impression is a cool jasmine-like bloom paired with a gentle green edge. Within a few minutes a soft balsamic tone appears, rounding out the floral heart and giving it a silky feel. Think garden flowers at dusk when the air is still and sweet.
Perfumers classify Cyclohexyl Salicylate as a middle note. It shows up soon after the initial top notes fade and stays present for several hours, acting as a bridge between the sparkling opening and the deeper base.
Projection is moderate. It will not dominate a blend yet it carries enough presence to be noticed in the sillage, especially in light airy formulas. Longevity on skin is good for a floral ingredient, often lingering well into the drydown where it leaves a gentle petal-balsamic trace.
How & Where To Use Cyclohexyl Salicylate
Perfumers pull Cyclohexyl Salicylate into a formula when they want a strong yet pliable floral heart that lasts. It excels at bulking out accords built around jasmine, carnation, hyacinth or orchid, adding body where lighter petal notes can feel thin. Because it carries a faint green edge it also helps bridge leafy top notes to creamy base materials such as musks, sandalwood or vanilla.
In a classic bouquet style fragrance a small dose of 0.5-1 % lifts the whole heart while staying behind the named flower. For a modern clean floral you might climb to 2-3 % to push diffusion and sillage. The manufacturer allows up to 10 %, yet most perfumers rarely go beyond 5 % unless they are chasing a deliberate balsamic effect. Above that level the material can dominate, turning a bright accord into something heavy and slightly medicinal.
Its tenacity makes it a workhorse in liquid detergents, shampoos and fabric softeners. At 0.2-0.8 % it survives the wash cycle and leaves a pleasant blossom trail on cloth or hair. In soap bases the note blooms readily while curing, though too much can muddy a crisp citrus bar, so staying near 0.4 % is wise. Candle blenders appreciate its burn rating, yet here again restraint is key because high loadings can slow fragrance throw.
Perception shifts with concentration. At a trace level it smells almost like fresh stems. Around 1 % the jasmine facet comes forward, while at higher doses the balsamic core thickens and a slight medicinal twang appears. Over-use risks flattening a composition, masking top notes and creating a waxy after-smell that consumers may read as dated.
Preparation is straightforward. Weigh or pipette the neat liquid at room temperature then pre-dilute it to 10 % in ethanol or dipropylene glycol for easier dosing and evaluation. The molecule blends smoothly with most solvents, but giving the mix a brief stir speeds complete dissolution. Always label the dilution clearly so you do not mistake percentage strength later.
Safely Using Cyclohexyl Salicylate
Dilution is key when handling any aroma chemical. Always create a working solution before evaluating scent on a blotter or skin substitute. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle since concentrated vapors can overwhelm the senses and irritate nasal passages. Work in a well-ventilated area so airborne particles disperse quickly, and wear nitrile gloves plus safety glasses to keep splashes off skin and eyes.
Like many esters Cyclohexyl Salicylate may trigger skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Brief contact with low concentrations is generally considered safe, but prolonged exposure to high levels can cause redness or discomfort. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a medical professional before working with any fragrance raw material.
The substance is readily biodegradable yet toxic to aquatic life at higher doses, so prevent spills from reaching drains. Clean small spills with absorbent material and dispose of waste according to local regulations. Store the bottle tightly closed in a cool dark cabinet to reduce oxidation and pressure build-up.
Regulations evolve, so always review the latest safety data sheet supplied by your distributor and check back for updates. Follow current IFRA guidelines for each product category to ensure your finished fragrance sits within accepted safe use levels.
How To Store & Dispose of Cyclohexyl Salicylate
Store Cyclohexyl Salicylate in tightly closed bottles kept in a cool dark cabinet away from direct sunlight and any heat source. Refrigeration is not essential yet it can slow oxidation and stretch shelf life by several extra months, especially once a bottle has been opened.
Choose bottles fitted with polycone caps so the liner forms a snug seal that keeps air and moisture out. Dropper tops may feel convenient for dosing but they vent too much air and allow aroma to escape, so reserve them for very short term use only.
Try to keep each container as full as possible. Decant remaining liquid into a smaller bottle once the fill line drops below half. Less headspace means less oxygen and fewer off notes caused by ageing.
Label every bottle and any dilutions with the material name, concentration, date and basic hazard statements. Clear labeling prevents mix-ups and gives anyone handling the stock a quick safety reminder.
Cyclohexyl Salicylate is readily biodegradable yet it is classified as toxic to aquatic life, so never pour leftovers down the drain. Small hobby amounts can be absorbed onto cat litter or sand then sealed in a bag for disposal with household hazardous waste programs. Larger volumes should go to a licensed chemical disposal facility that can process organic solvents correctly. Rinse empty bottles with a little solvent, add those washes to your waste container and recycle the clean glass or metal according to local rules.
Summary
Cyclohexyl Salicylate is a Givaudan-developed floral aroma chemical prized for its strong jasmine-carnation smell cushioned by balsamic warmth and a fresh green lift. It acts as a reliable middle note that carries into the early base so it bolsters heart accords in fine fragrance, personal care and home scent products without stealing the spotlight.
Cost sits in the low to mid range, making the material a budget friendly workhorse for both commercial and artisan perfumers. Stability is good when stored cool and well sealed yet the molecule will slowly oxidise if left exposed to light or air, so mindful storage pays dividends.
Its popularity comes from a mix of performance and flexibility: up to 10 percent use levels, several days of blotter life and proven lift in soap, detergent and candle bases. Keep in mind that very high dosages can turn medicinal and might dull brighter notes, so most formulas stay under 5 percent.
Commercial buyers can source the original Givaudan grade by the kilo from fragrance distributors or directly from the manufacturer. Smaller quantities for testing or hobby projects are widely offered by third-party resellers and generic producers under the same CAS number, letting creators of any size tap into this dependable floral building block.