What Is Damascenone 98% Min.?
Damascenone 98% Min. is an aroma ingredient prized for its rich rosy nuance that lifts many floral blends. The version most perfumers reach for is made by IFF, though several other suppliers offer comparable grades that follow the same quality standards.
The material is produced through a careful chemical process that starts with plant based raw matter. Controlled reaction steps convert those starter molecules into the final perfume grade liquid, which is then refined until at least 98 percent of the mix is pure damascenone. This high purity gives it a cleaner scent profile and steadier performance in finished products.
At room temperature the ingredient is a clear to pale yellow liquid with a medium thickness similar to light cooking oil. It pours easily and blends without effort into most perfume oils or alcohol bases.
Damascenone is a familiar face in the fragrance world. You will find it in designer perfumes, niche creations and even some premium fabric conditioners. Because only tiny amounts are needed to make an impact, one bottle lasts a long time in a perfume lab. When stored well the shelf life is commonly around two years before the scent starts to dull.
In cost terms it sits in the mid to upper range for aroma chemicals. The price reflects both its high purity and the skill involved in its production. Most perfumers consider it worth the spend thanks to the power and elegance it brings to a formula.
Damascenone 98% Min.’s Scent Description
This molecule is grouped inside the floral family, yet it also carries fruity and slightly tobacco-like accents that set it apart from pure rose notes.
Off a blotter the first impression is a burst of deep red rose petals touched with sun-ripened plum and dark berries. As the minutes tick by a warm hint of raisin and soft pipe tobacco emerges, giving the aroma a cozy depth. There is a faint honeyed sweetness throughout that keeps the profile smooth rather than sharp.
In the classic top, middle and base note picture damascenone sits mainly in the heart. It rises quickly after the fresh top notes fade yet it also lingers into the drydown, acting as a bridge between the body of a scent and the deeper base materials.
Projection is strong even at low dosage. A trace can radiate through a blend, adding lift to other florals and fruit notes without taking over. Longevity on skin or fabric is very good, often eight hours or more, which helps anchor lighter ingredients that would otherwise vanish too soon.
How & Where To Use Damascenone 98% Min.
Perfumers reach for Damascenone when they need to lift a floral heart, give fruit accords more realism or add velvety depth to tobacco and gourmand ideas. A trace amount can make a rose smell garden fresh while a slightly higher dose turns blackcurrant, plum or berry accords juicy and mouth watering. In chypres and modern fougères it supplies a subtle fruity backdrop that keeps the composition from feeling dated.
The ingredient shines in fine fragrance, fabric conditioner and soap bases where its stability is rated from good to very good. It is less cooperative in high temperature powder detergents where performance drops off quickly. Typical usage sits anywhere between traces and 0.2 percent of the finished concentrate though creative projects sometimes push up to 1 percent. Anything above 2 percent is rare and risks overwhelming the formula with an overly sweet, jammy note that can mask delicate nuances.
Perception shifts with strength. In extreme dilution the material reads as airy rose water with a touch of apple skin. At moderate levels the red berry and plum facets bloom. When concentrated it becomes darker and honeyed with noticeable tobacco and dried fruit, a profile that can turn muddy if not balanced with fresher materials.
Over-use also impacts color stability since the pure liquid is pale yellow. Large doses can tint a clear perfume slightly and may interact with certain color-sensitive naturals. It is therefore best introduced in small increments while smelling the blend on a fresh blotter after each addition.
For easier handling many labs premix Damascenone to 1 percent in ethanol or dipropylene glycol. This allows precise micro-dosing and reduces the risk of accidental spills that would otherwise overpower the workspace. Warm the bottle to room temperature, shake well and use disposable pipettes or calibrated syringes for accuracy. Always record the final concentration in your formula sheet so you can track IFRA limits later.
Safely Using Damascenone 98% Min.
Dilution is key. Always create a working solution before evaluating the scent. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle as the vapor is potent and can fatigue the nose within seconds. Work in a well-ventilated area or under a fume hood to prevent inhaling concentrated fumes. Basic protective gear such as nitrile gloves and safety glasses keeps accidental splashes away from skin and eyes.
Though used at very low levels Damascenone, like many fragrance ingredients, can cause skin irritation or trigger allergic responses in sensitive individuals. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a medical professional before prolonged exposure. Brief contact with low concentrations is generally considered safe but extended handling of the neat material should be minimized.
Should a spill occur wipe it up immediately with an absorbent towel, then wash the surface with soap and water. Keep an eyewash station and a clean water source close by. Dispose of contaminated materials according to local regulations because the compound, while readily biodegradable, can still stress small wastewater systems in bulk quantities.
Conditions that safeguard the material also protect you. Store the bottle tightly closed, away from direct sunlight and heat vents, ideally in a dedicated flammable cabinet kept between 15-25 °C. Label every dilution with the date of preparation so you can monitor any change in odor or color over time.
Above all, consult the latest Safety Data Sheet from your supplier and check back regularly as information can change. Cross reference your intended dose with current IFRA guidelines to ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance.
How To Store & Dispose of Damascenone 98% Min.
Good storage habits keep Damascenone smelling fresh and help your budget by reducing waste. The bottle is happiest in a cool dark cupboard away from heaters windows and busy work areas. A dedicated flammable cabinet between 15 °C and 25 °C is ideal yet even a drawer that stays stable in temperature works if space is tight. Refrigeration is optional but useful for long term stock; let the bottle warm to room temperature before opening to avoid moisture condensing inside.
Air is the main enemy. Use containers that can be filled close to the top and swap to smaller bottles as you work through your supply. Polycone caps give a snug vapor-tight seal that outperforms standard dropper tops so reserve drippers only for short-lived dilutions. Wipe the threads before closing and label every bottle with the full name CAS number strength date and any hazard codes so nothing gets lost or misused.
Store dilutions in amber glass or high-grade plastic that resists strong aroma chemicals. Keep them upright inside trays that catch leaks and never next to acids bases or bleaching agents that might react. Check lids every few months; if you smell a strong scent outside the bottle tighten the cap or transfer the contents to fresh packaging.
When a sample has oxidised or you simply no longer need it do not pour it down the sink in large amounts. Small lab leftovers can be absorbed onto paper towels or kitty litter sealed in a bag and placed with solvent waste according to local rules. Bigger volumes should go to a licensed chemical disposal service. Damascenone is readily biodegradable which eases impact on the environment once processed through proper channels but careless tipping can still overload home drains.
Summary
Damascenone 98 % Min. is a high purity floral material from IFF prized for its power at tiny doses. It smells like fresh rose wrapped in ripe berries and plum with a soft honey tobacco twist that adds depth and realism to many accords.
Perfumers use it to lift florals brighten fruits or give tobacco and gourmand ideas a velvety core. It is stable in fine fragrance fabric softener and soap though it struggles in hot powder detergents. Cost per kilo is high yet actual formula cost stays low because most blends need only parts per million.
Keep the bottle cool dark and tightly sealed or even refrigerated for long storage. Remember small accurate dosing avoids colour shifts and prevents the scent from turning jammy. The ingredient is biodegradable but dispose of surplus through approved solvent waste streams not household drains.
Commercial quantities come straight from IFF or authorised distributors. Hobbyists and small brands can source smaller packs from reputable resellers and generic producers who offer diluted or neat options for trial work. Proper care and thoughtful dosage let this modern classic deliver a big olfactory punch without overpowering the rest of your perfume.