What Is Ethyl Myristate?
Ethyl Myristate is the ethyl ester of myristic acid, a fatty acid that was first isolated from nutmeg in the mid-1800s. Chemists went on to create the ester form in the late 1800s while studying ways to turn natural fats into lighter materials for perfumery. Today it is produced on an industrial scale by reacting plant-derived myristic acid with food-grade ethanol in the presence of a catalyst, followed by careful purification. This makes the ingredient readily available and classed as nature-identical rather than fully natural or purely synthetic.
At room temperature Ethyl Myristate appears as a clear, colorless liquid that can look slightly syrupy. In a cool warehouse it may turn into soft white crystals that melt back to liquid once warmed. The material flows easily, has a medium weight feel and blends smoothly with alcohol or oils while refusing to mix with water.
Perfumers and formulators reach for Ethyl Myristate because it is reliable, gentle on skin and wallet friendly. You will find it in fine fragrance, shampoos, soaps, fabric softeners and even scented candles. Its high assay and low acid value mean it stays stable on the shelf and cooperates with other ingredients, making it a quiet workhorse in many everyday products.
What Does Ethyl Myristate Smell Like?
Ethyl Myristate is usually filed under the powdery family. Off a standard scent blotter it opens with a mild waxy clean note that quickly settles into a soft soapy nuance. Many perfumers describe it as evoking fresh pressed face powder with hints of orris and violet but without the earthy carrot tone that true orris can bring. There is a faint creamy undertone that smooths out sharper facets in a blend yet on its own the material is never loud or pushy.
In the classic top, middle and base structure Ethyl Myristate sits between the heart and the drydown. It rises slowly after the brighter top notes fade then lingers as a gentle cushion for heavier base notes like musks or woods. Because its vapor pressure is low it does not flash off quickly, so the powdery effect can be noticed several hours after application.
Projection is discreet, forming a close-to-skin halo rather than a dramatic cloud. Longevity is steady and can persist six hours or more depending on the formula and the surface it touches. For perfumers this makes Ethyl Myristate a dependable modifier that extends softness without stealing the spotlight.
How & Where To Use Ethyl Myristate
Ethyl Myristate is a pleasure to handle. It pours smoothly, has no sharp fumes and cleans off equipment with a quick wipe of ethanol. Many perfumers keep it on the bench as a go-to softener that never argues with other materials.
Inside a formula it acts like a gentle blur tool. Add a drop to a floral violet accord and the petals feel freshly powdered. Fold it into a creamy sandalwood base and the wood loses any rough edges. It excels in heart or drydown positions where you want lasting softness without adding weight or sweetness.
Perfumers usually reach for Ethyl Myristate when they need a quiet powdery effect but do not want the earthy carrot facet of authentic orris or the high cost of ionones. It also steps in when talc notes must stay subtle in clean laundry styles or delicate skin scents.
Typical dosing runs from a whisper at 0.05 % up to roughly 3 % of the concentrate. Above 4 % the note becomes waxier and slightly fatty which can flatten a delicate bouquet. In a candle or bar soap higher levels around 5 % are possible since heat and base matrix mute the odor.
At trace levels the material barely smells yet rounds out harsh aldehydes. Mid range percentages deliver a clear cosmetic powder note. Heavy dosages give more of a cold cream vibe that suits vintage inspired accords but can veil brighter top notes.
If your drum has partly crystallised just warm it to 30 °C in a water bath then shake. It dissolves quickly in ethanol or fixed oils so no special solubiliser is needed. Always label your dilution since the clear liquid looks like plain alcohol at first glance.
Safely Information
Working with Ethyl Myristate is straightforward but basic laboratory precautions still apply.
- Always dilute before evaluation: prepare a 10 % or weaker solution in ethanol and smell from a blotter
- Avoid headspace sniffing: never inhale directly from the bottle to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation
- Maintain ventilation: mix or weigh the material in a fume hood or near an open window to keep airborne levels low
- Wear personal protection: nitrile gloves and safety glasses shield skin and eyes from accidental splashes
- Health considerations: some individuals may experience irritation or sensitisation so limit exposure time, and seek medical advice before use if pregnant or breastfeeding
- Limit exposure: short contact with low concentrations is generally considered safe while prolonged or high level contact can be harmful
For full peace of mind review the most recent Safety Data Sheet supplied with your batch and monitor it for updates. Follow any applicable IFRA guidelines to ensure your finished product stays within recommended limits.
Storage And Disposal
When stored with care Ethyl Myristate stays fresh for around two to three years before any noticeable shift in odor or color. Date every bottle on arrival so you can rotate stock and use the oldest first.
Refrigeration is helpful but not essential. A cupboard kept at 15-20 °C away from sunlight heaters or windows will do the job. Sudden heat spikes shorten shelf life so keep the bottle off radiator tops and out of hot delivery vans whenever possible.
Use bottles fitted with polycone caps for both neat material and dilutions. The cone forms a tight seal that blocks slow ethanol loss and limits oxygen creep. Dropper bottles look convenient yet often leak or let air sneak in which speeds up oxidation.
Try to keep containers as full as practical. Decant any leftovers into smaller amber glass to reduce the air gap then store upright. Wipe the neck clean before closing so crusts cannot form and break the seal later.
Label every container clearly with the INCI or common name batch number concentration date and any hazard icons. A missing label is the fastest route to a mystery bottle and wasted money.
For disposal small laboratory quantities can usually go down the drain after heavy dilution with warm soapy water as the ester breaks down readily in municipal treatment plants. Check local regulations first. Larger volumes should be collected in a sealed drum and handed to a licensed chemical waste contractor. Never pour bulk material into soil storm drains or open water.
Summary
Ethyl Myristate is a nature-identical ester that brings a gentle powdery wax clean aroma reminiscent of orris and violet. It works as a subtle softener smoothing florals musks woods and even aldehydes while staying quietly in the background.
Easy handling good stability and modest cost make it a staple on many perfume benches. It drops into countless accords from fresh laundry styles to vintage cosmetic themes and even candle blends.
Remember it likes a cool dark home tight caps and minimal headspace. Treat it well and you will enjoy years of reliable service at dosages ranging from a trace to a few percent without breaking the budget or wrestling with strong off notes.