What Is Dihydro Ambrate?
Dihydro Ambrate is an aroma chemical created by Givaudan, one of the best-known names in the fragrance industry. While Givaudan owns the trademarked name, other suppliers may offer the same molecule under more generic labels for use in fine fragrance, home care and personal care applications.
The material is produced through a carefully controlled synthetic process that starts with readily available raw materials, then moves through catalytic steps to build its characteristic amber skeleton. The result is a clear colourless liquid that pours easily and blends without effort into both oil and water based perfume concentrates when pre-diluted.
Perfumers reach for Dihydro Ambrate when they need a building block that adds body and warmth without stealing the spotlight. It shows up in many modern amber accords, woody bases and oriental style blends, so it is more common than the average consumer might guess even if it rarely appears on ingredient labels.
Stored in a cool dark place and kept in a tightly closed container, the material remains in optimal condition for roughly two to three years before gradual oxidation starts to dull its effect. It sits in the mid-range of fragrance ingredient pricing, making it accessible for large-scale consumer products as well as luxury perfumes.
Dihydro Ambrate’s Scent Description
Most perfumers file Dihydro Ambrate under the ambery family, yet its smell is more nuanced than that single word suggests. Off a blotter it opens with a soft, glowing warmth that feels slightly sweet but not sugary. A rounded woody note soon follows, evoking freshly cut cedar softened by balsamic undertones. As the minutes pass a quiet, musky glow anchors the whole impression making the accord feel smooth and polished.
In the classic perfume pyramid, notes are divided into top, middle and base. Tops greet the nose first, middles give character and bases provide lasting power. Dihydro Ambrate firmly belongs in the base. It does not leap out in the first few minutes yet once it settles it supports the heart of the fragrance for hours, knitting other ingredients together.
Projection sits in the medium zone: enough radiance to be noticed within arm’s length but never loud. Longevity is solid, typically holding on skin and fabric well into the next day and on a scent blotter for a full twenty-four hours before fading to a gentle trace.
How & Where To Use Dihydro Ambrate
Perfumers reach for Dihydro Ambrate when they need a soft amber weight that never turns syrupy. It fills the space between sweet benzoin and crisp cedar, so it glues balsamic notes to woods or bright florals to musk without stealing the spotlight. If Ambrox or Cetalox feel too dry or harsh this molecule offers warmth with a friendlier glow.
In an amber accord it partners well with labdanum resinoid, vanillin and sandalwood synthetics, rounding edges and stretching staying power. Add a trace of incense or a drop of patchouli and the blend gains depth while staying modern. In a woody accord it boosts Iso E Super, Cedramber or Virginia cedar oil, giving them extra body and a longer tail.
Typical use sits between 0.5 % and 3 % of the finished fragrance. Below 1 % it adds a barely-there smoothness that listeners may not spot yet will miss if removed. Push it past 4 % and the amber sweetness grows obvious, sometimes flattening sparkle in the top. Over-use can muffle citrus and make a composition feel heavy so build in small steps and smell often.
Application range is broad. Fine fragrance, body lotions, shampoos, fabric conditioners and candles all benefit from its burn performance and wash-off tenacity. It holds up well in high pH cleaners and soaps where many naturals fade. The main drawback is that it can read dull in very fresh colognes or splash-on mists where lightness is key.
Before weighing, warm viscous stocks to room temperature and stir to ensure even texture. It dissolves readily in ethanol, dipropylene glycol or IPM so pre-diluting to 10 % or 20 % helps with precise dosing and faster compounding. Label the dilution clearly with date and strength and store it away from light to curb oxidation.
Safely Using Dihydro Ambrate
Dilution is key so always smell this material in solution rather than straight from the bottle. Work in a well-ventilated space to avoid breathing vapors and keep the bottle capped when not in use. Gloves prevent skin contact and safety glasses shield the eyes should a splash occur.
Like many aroma chemicals it can trigger skin irritation or sensitization in some users. Brief low-level exposure is usually fine yet repeated or high-dose contact may lead to problems. Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a healthcare professional before regular handling.
Clean spills with an absorbent cloth then wash the area with soap and water. Do not pour leftovers down the drain; collect them in a sealed waste container for proper disposal according to local regulations.
For every new batch download the supplier’s most recent Safety Data Sheet and review it for any changed limits or hazard notes. Cross-check your formula against the current IFRA standard to confirm safe consumer levels and update records whenever either document is revised.
How To Store & Dispose of Dihydro Ambrate
Store neat material and dilutions in well sealed glass or aluminium bottles kept in a cool dark cupboard away from heaters or direct sunlight. Refrigeration is optional yet useful if you plan to hold stock for more than a year as lower temperature slows oxidation.
Choose bottles fitted with polycone caps because the cone forms a tight seal that limits air exchange. Dropper tops or loose screw lids let oxygen creep in so avoid them for anything more than very short term use.
Try to keep each bottle as full as possible. The smaller the air gap the slower the scent changes. If you decant part of a batch move the remaining liquid into a smaller vial rather than leave half a bottle empty.
Label every container the moment it is filled noting the name Dihydro Ambrate, the dilution strength, date and any hazard symbols pulled from the Safety Data Sheet. Clear labels prevent mix-ups and help anyone else in the lab understand what they are holding.
When stock reaches the end of its life never pour leftovers down the sink. The molecule is classed as non biodegradable and shows aquatic toxicity so it must be treated as hazardous waste. Collect unwanted material together with any soaked wipes or paper and hand the lot to a licensed chemical disposal service. Rinse bottles with a small amount of solvent and add that rinse to the same waste drum.
Keep accurate records of what was stored how much was discarded and when. Good housekeeping keeps insurance providers happy and makes annual safety audits painless.
Summary
Dihydro Ambrate is a synthetic amber note from Givaudan that delivers smooth wood-tinted warmth at modest cost. It smells like a gentle cedar breeze wrapped in soft resin giving depth and balance to woods florals and oriental blends without turning heavy.
The material is popular because it is easy to work with, survives high pH bases and remains noticeable on skin or fabrics for a full day. Used between 0.5 % and 3 % it links top notes to the base and rounds rough edges in an accord.
Stability is good although long exposure to air can dull the scent so store it cool and tightly closed. It is non biodegradable and classed as toxic to aquatic life which means any waste needs professional disposal.
You can buy Dihydro Ambrate in drum or keg size directly from Givaudan or an authorised distributor. Smaller hobby friendly quantities are sold by specialist fragrance suppliers and generic makers who offer the same CAS material ready for testing in your own blends.