Dimethyl Myrcetone Light: The Complete Guide To This Aroma Chemical

Curious about this ingredient? In this article we're explaining everything you need to know.
Updated on: August 2, 2025
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We verify all information on this page using publicly available standards from The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) and documentation provided directly by ingredient manufacturers. Our analysis is based on technical data from these sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.

What Is Dimethyl Myrcetone Light?

Dimethyl Myrcetone Light is a woody smelling aroma chemical first introduced by Symrise, one of the leading suppliers of fragrance materials. Although Symrise coined the trade name, comparable grades are available from other aroma chemical houses that follow a similar manufacturing route.

The material belongs to the ketone family and is made through a selective transformation of a renewable terpene stream, usually sourced from pine or citrus by-products. By adjusting reaction conditions chemists obtain a lighter fraction that keeps the fresh cedar nuance while stripping away heavier smoky facets, which is why the product carries the “Light” tag.

At room temperature the ingredient appears as a clear to slightly straw-tinted liquid with a medium viscosity. It pours easily and does not crystallize in normal warehouse conditions, which makes it convenient both in the lab and on the factory floor.

Dimethyl Myrcetone Light has become a staple in modern perfumery thanks to its versatility and regulatory friendliness. You will find it in prestige fine fragrances as well as in everyday household scents because it binds well to fabric, survives high wash temperatures and resists the alkalinity of cleaning bases.

When stored unopened in a cool dark place it usually keeps its full strength for about two years, though many perfumers happily rely on older stocks that have been kept under nitrogen or well-filled. Once opened it is best used within 12 to 18 months to avoid subtle oxidation that can dull its brightness.

Pricing sits in the mid-range of specialty wood notes. It is not as cheap as commodity cedarwood oil but far from the cost of rare natural extracts, which makes it attractive for projects that need a refined cedar character without breaking the budget.

Dimethyl Myrcetone Light’s Scent Description

This ingredient is classified in the woody family, landing closest to clean cedar wood. On a blotter it first delivers a crisp pencil-shavings effect that recalls freshly planed cedar plank, quickly joined by a dry phenolic accent that hints at old library shelves. Within a few minutes a gentle touch of lichen and faint metallic sparkle emerges, keeping the profile lively rather than dusty.

In perfume construction notes are divided into top, middle and base depending on how quickly they evaporate. Dimethyl Myrcetone Light starts to speak soon after application yet continues well into the drydown, placing it squarely in the lower mid to upper base area. It bridges fleeting top woody notes with longer lasting fixatives, helping a fragrance maintain coherence over time.

Projection is moderate: strong enough to radiate a confident cedar aura without overwhelming neighboring materials. Longevity on skin sits around six to eight hours, stretching further on fabric where the molecule anchors to fibers and can be detected the next day.

How & Where To Use Dimethyl Myrcetone Light

Perfumers reach for Dimethyl Myrcetone Light when they want a clean cedar lift that threads top brightness into a long lasting woody base. It excels in modern masculine structures, transparent woody florals and fabric care compositions where crispness must survive wash cycles. When a formula calls for cedar without the smoky tar that can creep in from natural oils this molecule becomes the go-to choice.

In an accord it pairs smoothly with Iso E Super, Ambroxide, cashmeran notes and soft musks to build a smooth pencil-shavings backbone. Trace levels boost freshness in citrus or herbal openings, while 1-3% anchors sandalwood or vetiver bases without dulling them. At 4-5% the material starts to dominate, giving a dry phenolic edge that suits incense or leather themes but can feel scratchy if left unsupported by balsamic or ambery modifiers.

Household and personal care products benefit from its stability in alkaline media and high temperature processes. It retains clarity in soap noodles, resists discoloration in detergent slurries and burns cleanly in candle wax. On the downside it offers little sweetness, so blends meant for gourmand or fruity territories usually need lactonic or vanillic partners to soften the wood.

Perceived odor shifts with concentration. Sub-percent levels read as airy sawdust with a hint of fresh air. Mid levels bring out the phenolic library shelf nuance. Heavy dosing turns metallic and can overshadow delicate florals, so moderation is key. Overuse may also give a medicinal after-smell in shampoos once the foam rinses away.

Prep work is minimal: weigh the raw material, then make a 10% dilution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol for accurate smelling and pipetting. Because the product carries no added stabilizer a tiny drop of antioxidant such as tocopherol can be added to bulk tanks that will sit for months. Stir or roll larger drums before decanting to ensure homogeneity and always wipe the cap thread clean to prevent crusting.

Safety Information

Working with Dimethyl Myrcetone Light calls for the same sensible precautions applied to any concentrated aroma chemical.

  • Always dilute before smelling: prepare a 10% or lower solution so you can evaluate the scent without overwhelming your nose
  • Nose away from the bottle: avoid sniffing straight from the container to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation
  • Use proper ventilation: blend and evaluate in a fume hood or well ventilated space to keep vapor levels low
  • Wear gloves and safety glasses: protect skin and eyes from accidental splashes or spills
  • Mind potential irritation: some individuals can develop dermatitis or sensitization so discontinue contact if redness or itching appears
  • Health status matters: consult a healthcare professional before handling if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Limit exposure time: brief work with diluted material is generally safe while prolonged or high level exposure may pose health risks

Always consult the latest Material Safety Data Sheet issued by your supplier and revisit it regularly as classifications can change. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum use levels in finished products to ensure compliance and consumer safety.

How To Store & Dispose of Dimethyl Myrcetone Light

Store Dimethyl Myrcetone Light in a tightly closed amber glass or aluminum bottle kept in a cool dark cupboard away from heaters or windows. Room temperature works fine but a fridge set between 4-10 °C provides an extra safety margin by slowing oxidation.

Air is the main enemy. Transfer the material into smaller containers as the level drops so the headspace stays small. Polycone lined caps seal better than standard screw tops and help stop vapor loss. Skip eye-dropper bottles because the rubber bulbs breathe and let oxygen creep in.

For daily work prepare 10 % dilutions in ethanol or dipropylene glycol. Fit them with the same polycone caps and label each vial with the chemical name date strength and any hazard pictograms. Clear labels save time and prevent mix-ups when the workbench gets busy.

Keep the storage area tidy and separate from food or drink. Place bottles in secondary trays that can catch spills. Avoid long exposure to direct light which can yellow the liquid and blunt the cedar note.

When the material reaches the end of its life do not pour it down the drain. Small hobby amounts can be absorbed onto cat litter or sand then sealed in a bag and disposed of with household waste according to local rules. Larger volumes should go to a licensed chemical recycler or waste handler. The molecule is partly based on renewable feedstock but its high log Kow means it clings to soils and breaks down slowly in water so responsible disposal matters.

Summary

Dimethyl Myrcetone Light is a woody ketone that captures the smell of clean cedar shavings paired with a mild phenolic twist. It slots into perfumes as a bridge between fresh top woods and long lasting bases giving lift staying power and clarity.

Perfumers like it because it handles heat alkali and UV better than many naturals while sitting in a comfortable mid price band. The scent is specific though so overdosing can turn sharp and metallic which calls for careful balancing.

Keep bottles full cool and tightly sealed to get the most from your stock then follow local waste rules when it is time to discard leftovers.

Commercial houses can source the Symrise grade by the kilo or drum while small makers will find repacked options and generic equivalents from speciality resellers online.

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