What Is Feuillage Vert?
Feuillage Vert is a modern green aroma material created by DSM-Firmenich as part of their synthetic base range. It is designed to give perfumers an instant leafy effect without relying on natural extracts that can be tricky to source or stabilise.
While DSM-Firmenich developed the original, other ingredient houses sometimes offer comparable blends sold under different names. These versions aim to mimic the same vivid leafy profile, though the exact recipe remains proprietary to each supplier.
At room temperature Feuillage Vert appears as a clear to very pale liquid that pours easily. It blends smoothly with alcohol, oil or water-based fragrance concentrates which makes it handy for both fine fragrance and functional products.
The ingredient is widely used because its fresh green signature works in everything from luxury eau de parfum to everyday cleaning sprays. When stored in a cool dark place with the cap tightly closed, it generally keeps its character for about two to three years before the scent starts to fade.
In pricing terms Feuillage Vert sits in the mid-range bracket. It is not a budget filler, yet it is far more affordable than rare naturals like rose absolute. Perfumers often see it as good value for the impact it delivers.
Feuillage Vert’s Scent Description
This material sits firmly in the green family. Off a blotter the first impression is like crushing fresh garden leaves between your fingers. A burst of damp sap rises quickly followed by a gentle hint of cucumber skin and a touch of soft stems.
As the minutes pass a light floral whisper peeks through, almost like lily of the valley hiding behind the foliage. The overall feeling stays airy and optimistic rather than earthy or bitter.
In simple terms perfumers divide a fragrance into top, middle and base notes. Top notes greet you in the first few minutes, middle notes shape the heart of the perfume and base notes linger the longest. Feuillage Vert falls between top and middle. It flashes its green sparkle early yet still keeps a presence in the heart to support florals citrus or soft woods.
Projection is moderate which means the scent radiates a polite aura without overwhelming the room. On skin Feuillage Vert can be noticed for four to six hours, longer in a candle or fabric product where evaporation is slower.
How & Where To Use Feuillage Vert
Perfumers reach for Feuillage Vert whenever a composition needs an instant leafy lift. It excels in the top and heart of citrus bouquets, watery florals or dewy wood accords where it paints the picture of freshly crushed stems. A trace amount can brighten violet, hyacinth or lily of the valley themes, while a fuller dose pushes a formula toward a sharp cut-grass style that pairs well with galbanum or tomato leaf notes.
Typical inclusion sits between 0.1 % and 3 % of the finished concentrate. At 0.1 % the material whispers quietly behind other ingredients adding realism without being identifiable. Between 1 % and 2 % it becomes clearly noticeable, giving a cool sap effect that anchors citrus flashes. Pushing over 3 % risks a vegetal bite that can overshadow delicate flowers and create an almost metallic edge in musk bases. Most functional products absorb higher levels well yet in fine fragrance it is wise to stay below 5 % to keep the accord balanced.
Feuillage Vert blends smoothly with alcohol, fixed oils and common solvents so no special solubiliser is required. Many perfumers still prefer to prepare a 10 % solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol to allow finer dosing by drops. Because the material is already a liquid it needs no warming but a quick shake before use prevents any micro-separation that can develop in a cool lab.
The ingredient shows excellent stability in soaps detergents fabric softeners or candles, resisting high pH and moderate heat without colour change. It can, however, smell slightly swampy in oil-heavy balms or solid perfume sticks where evaporation is slow. If that occurs dial the level back or pair it with a crisp citrus aldehyde to keep things airy.
In short Feuillage Vert is the go-to for a believable green accent when naturals are limited by cost or sustainability. Start low, scale up while evaluating on skin and in the final product matrix and always balance it with sparkling tops or gentle heart notes to avoid a grassy overload.
Safely Information
Always dilute Feuillage Vert before smelling it. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle to prevent overwhelming your nose. Work in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves and safety glasses to protect skin and eyes from accidental splashes.
Like many aroma chemicals prolonged or repeated contact can trigger irritation or allergic responses in sensitive individuals. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a medical professional before handling any fragrance raw material. Short encounters with low concentrations are normally considered safe yet high doses or extended exposure may lead to headaches respiratory discomfort or dermatitis.
In case of accidental skin contact wash thoroughly with mild soap and water. If the material gets into your eyes rinse with clean water for at least fifteen minutes and seek medical advice if irritation persists. Store the bottle tightly closed in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight or strong acids and bases that could degrade the scent.
When disposal becomes necessary deliver unused stock or spills to a chemical collection facility rather than pouring it down the drain. Rinse empty containers three times then follow local regulations for recycling or hazardous waste.
Always review the latest Material Safety Data Sheet supplied by your vendor as details can change with new research. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum allowable levels in each product category to ensure your formula remains both compliant and consumer friendly.
How To Store & Dispose of Feuillage Vert
Keep Feuillage Vert in a cool dark cupboard away from heaters or sunny windows. Refrigeration is not essential yet a steady 5-10 °C environment can stretch the shelf life beyond two years. If you chill the bottle let it warm to room temperature before opening to avoid moisture condensing inside.
Use containers fitted with polycone caps that twist down tight and create a vapour seal. Avoid glass dropper tops because their rubber bulbs let air creep in and promote oxidation. Aim to decant larger packs into smaller bottles so each vessel stays as full as possible which cuts down the empty headspace and slows degradation.
Label every bottle clearly with the ingredient name batch number date received and key hazard icons. Add dilution strength if you have pre-mixed it in ethanol or dipropylene glycol. Good labelling prevents mix-ups and helps colleagues follow the right handling steps at a glance.
Store Feuillage Vert away from strong acids bases or oxidising agents that could shift the odour. Keep absorbent pads or spill granules nearby in case of accidents and wipe the thread of the cap after each use to stop crusting.
When the material has passed its prime or you have leftover rinsings treat it as chemical waste. Despite being partially biodegradable it should not be poured into sinks or outdoor drains because concentrated fragrance can harm aquatic life. Soak small amounts into an inert absorbent like cat litter then place in a sealed bag for hazardous waste collection. Larger quantities should go to a licensed disposal contractor who can incinerate or process them according to local regulations.
Summary
Feuillage Vert is a DSM-Firmenich synthetic base prized for its crisp leafy scent that lands between the top and heart of a perfume. It smells like freshly crushed stems with a hint of cucumber skin and a light floral whisper making it a versatile way to add realistic greenery to citrus florals or soft wood accords.
Perfumers appreciate the ingredient for its stability in soap detergent candles and fine fragrance plus its mid-range price that delivers noticeable impact without breaking the budget. Used from a trace up to around three percent it brings a clean sap sparkle yet can turn sharp if overdosed.
The liquid remains fairly robust but keeping it cool sealed and away from light preserves its freshness. It blends easily with common solvents though oxidation can dull its brilliance if stored half full or under leaky caps.
Commercial houses can order Feuillage Vert straight from DSM-Firmenich or through authorised distributors. Hobbyists and small brands will often find re-packed options from reputable fragrance suppliers or generic equivalents sold under alternative names which allows affordable testing before scaling up.