What Is Geraniol 980 Pure?
Geraniol 980 Pure is a highly refined version of geraniol, a naturally occurring aroma molecule known for its soft rosy character. It is supplied by IFF, one of the biggest names in the fragrance industry, though comparable grades are offered by other suppliers under non-branded names.
The material is obtained from renewable plant sources such as citronella or palmarosa oils. These essential oils are distilled, then the geraniol portion is isolated and purified until it reaches about ninety-eight percent purity, giving the product its “980” tag. Because the starting feedstock is upcycled from agricultural by-products, the process fits well with modern green chemistry goals.
At room temperature the ingredient appears as a clear to faintly straw-colored liquid that pours easily and mixes well with most fragrance solvents. Its relatively low molecular weight lets it blend smoothly without thickening a formula.
Geraniol is one of the workhorse materials of perfumery. You will find it in fine fragrance, soaps, shampoos, home scents and many cleaning products. Formulators like it for both the pleasant smell and the way it boosts other floral notes.
When stored unopened in a cool dark place, Geraniol 980 Pure remains in good shape for roughly two to three years. Once the drum or bottle is opened it is best used within a year for peak quality.
Cost-wise it sits in the low-to-medium bracket, making it affordable for large-scale products yet refined enough for prestige perfumes.
Geraniol 980 Pure’s Scent Description
This material is grouped in the floral family, most often linked to rose and geranium styles.
On a scent strip it opens with a light fresh rose petal impression touched by a hint of citrus peel and sweet red fruit. Within minutes a gentle geranium leaf nuance appears, adding a green facet that keeps the note from smelling sugary. As the blotter dries the profile becomes slightly waxy and powdery, echoing the natural smell of crushed rose stems.
In perfumery we talk about top, middle and base notes. Top notes are the first flashes you smell, middle (or heart) notes shape the main theme and base notes linger the longest. Geraniol lives mainly in the middle register yet it also lends a little lift at the start, so it can bridge the top and heart smoothly. It has very little weight in the true base.
Projection is moderate: the aroma radiates a friendly arm’s length without overpowering. Longevity on a strip is around twenty-four hours, which translates to several hours on skin and a full wash cycle on fabric. This makes it an ideal building block when you want a lasting but not heavy floral glow.
How & Where To Use Geraniol 980 Pure
Perfumers reach for Geraniol 980 Pure when a clean modern rose tone is needed but a full rose oil would feel heavy or expensive. The ingredient slips easily into a wide range of floral accords, lifting them with a dewy freshness that bridges citrus tops with musky or woody bases. It is especially handy in peony, lychee or lily of the valley themes where a soft rosy facet adds realism without shouting.
On its own the material smells delicate, yet in blends it can amplify surrounding florals and brighten fruity notes. At low traces it adds air and sparkle. Around 1–2 % of the concentrate, the profile turns more obviously rosy and sweet. Higher levels up to the supplier’s limit of 30 % create a dominant rose core, though most perfumers rarely go beyond 5 % of the formula because the nuance can become soapy or overpowering.
Geraniol 980 Pure excels in fine fragrance, soaps, shampoos, deodorants and candles. It performs less well in strong acid or bleach systems where the molecule can degrade, dulling the scent and lowering stability. When formulating detergents or cleaners, pair it with stable boosters like hexyl cinnamic aldehyde to help it last through the wash cycle.
Over-use risks include cloying sweetness, masking of lighter notes and a potential for skin sensitisation if regulatory limits are ignored. Always do a small-scale trial to see how the material behaves in the chosen base because pH, temperature and other raw materials can shift its odour balance.
Prep work is simple: pre-dilute to 10 % in ethanol, triethyl citrate or dipropylene glycol for ease of dosing and safer smelling. Blend gently as the ingredient is liquid at room temperature and mixes quickly. Keep pipettes and glassware free of strong acids or oxidants to avoid unwanted reactions.
Safely Using Geraniol 980 Pure
Dilution is key. Always blend the raw material down before smelling or weighing to lower the chance of nose fatigue or irritation. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle; instead waft the diluted sample on a scent strip. Work in a well-ventilated space so vapours disperse quickly.
Protective gear matters. Wear nitrile gloves to keep the liquid off your skin and safety glasses to shield your eyes from splashes. Although Geraniol 980 Pure is considered readily biodegradable and of low toxicity, concentrated contact can still cause redness or stinging.
Some people are sensitive to terpene alcohols. Skin irritation or allergic reactions may appear, especially at higher levels. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a healthcare professional before prolonged work with any aroma chemical.
Short sniffing sessions with low concentrations are usually safe, yet repeated or high-level exposure can irritate the respiratory tract. Clean spills promptly with absorbent material and wash the area with mild soap and water.
Store the bottle tightly closed in a cool dark place away from heat sources and oxidising agents. Dispose of unwanted material according to local regulations, never down the sink.
For the most accurate safety limits always consult the latest MSDS from your supplier and check it often as updates occur. Follow current IFRA guidelines for allowed percentages in each product type to keep formulas both compliant and consumer friendly.
How To Store & Dispose of Geraniol 980 Pure
Geraniol 980 Pure keeps its rosy freshness best when it stays cool and away from light. A fridge set between 5 °C and 10 °C slows oxidation though a stable basement shelf also works if the room stays under 20 °C. Always park the bottle far from heaters, sunny windows or buzzing electrical gear that can raise the temperature.
Air is the main enemy of this material. Use bottles that seal with polycone caps because they press tight against the neck and block oxygen. Skip glass dropper bottles as the rubber bulbs slowly leak vapors and let air creep in. Top up containers as you decant so the headspace stays small and oxidation is limited.
Label every bottle with the full name, CAS number 106-24-1, and the date it was first opened. Add simple safety notes such as “irritant, wear gloves” so anyone picking it up knows the basics at a glance. Keep the labels clean and legible by wiping spills right away.
Disposal is straightforward thanks to its ready biodegradability. Small rinse residues can usually go down the drain with plenty of water if local rules allow. For larger volumes mix with an absorbent such as kitty litter and hand it to a household hazardous waste center. Never pour the concentrate directly into soil, streams or trash bins.
Wash empty glass with warm soapy water, let it dry, then recycle. Caps that smell strongly should be bagged and binned to avoid spreading odor. Record what you have discarded in your stock log so inventory stays accurate.
Summary
Geraniol 980 Pure is a high-purity rose alcohol from IFF that brings a fresh dewy floral heart to blends. It smells like soft petals with a touch of citrus and green stem and it bridges bright top notes with musky or woody bases. Because it is renewable, vegan friendly and biodegradable it suits modern eco-minded formulas.
The material is loved for its balance of price, lift and natural character, showing up in perfumes, soaps, shampoos and candles. It offers good stability in most systems but weakens in strong acids or bleach so plan your formula accordingly. Use levels usually stay under 5 percent to avoid a soapy overload and to respect skin limits.
Geraniol 980 Pure can be bought in drums or pails directly from IFF or authorized distributors. Smaller hobby sizes are sold by specialty fragrance labs and generic suppliers who list it by its CAS number. Whether for a global launch or a kitchen test batch it remains a reliable building block in the perfumer’s toolbox.