Indolene 50%/Cso: The Complete Guide To This Aroma Chemical

Curious about this ingredient? In this article we're explaining everything you need to know.
Updated on: July 29, 2025
Share:
Inside this article:

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 Indolene 50%/Cso?

Indolene 50%/Cso is a ready-to-use blend of the aroma chemical Indolene diluted to half strength in an inert carrier oil, usually refined castor seed oil. The active molecule belongs to the large family of nitrogen-containing floral materials that give jasmine its signature animalic twist.

The product is supplied by Givaudan, one of the biggest names in the fragrance industry. Smaller aroma houses may offer similar dilutions under generic names, yet Givaudan remains the main source for the branded version.

At room temperature the material looks like a thick yellow liquid that moves slowly when swirled. The viscosity makes it easy to weigh and helps control the dose during compounding.

Commercially the molecule is produced through a multi-step chemical route that joins together aromatic rings, a nitrogen bridge and a side chain, followed by quality refinement before it is cut with oil. The process is streamlined and does not involve rare feedstocks so supply is reliable year-round.

Perfumers reach for Indolene 50%/Cso when they want to expand a natural jasmine accord, give a white-flower bouquet more depth or add a discreet animalic hum to modern florals. Usage is fairly common in fine fragrance, soap bases and some home scents.

Kept in a well-sealed amber bottle away from heat and direct light, the product keeps its full strength for roughly two to three years before a slow drop in power may become noticeable.

Cost sits in the mid range compared with other specialty florals. It is not a budget item like simple esters but it is far from the price of rare naturals, which makes it accessible for most creative work.

Indolene 50%/Cso’s Scent Description

This ingredient is firmly placed in the floral family, with a clear link to jasmine-type scents.

On a fresh blotter the first impression is a warm animalic puff that can remind you of a humid greenhouse at dusk. Within seconds a sweet creamy jasmine blooms, laced with hints of banana skin, crushed petals and a faint barnyard whisper that keeps the sweetness in check.

As the minutes pass the animalic edge softens, revealing a smoother floral heart that feels round and almost buttery. A gentle woody nuance appears in the distance, adding backbone without stealing the spotlight.

In the classic top-middle-base structure, Indolene 50%/Cso sits squarely in the middle note zone. It rises after the top notes fade and then hangs on for many hours, linking bright openers to deeper bases.

The projection is moderate yet persistent. It will not shout across a room but it radiates enough to be noticed during normal movement. Longevity on a blotter typically stretches for several days, with the soft jasmine-woody trace still detectable long after lighter materials have vanished.

How & Where To Use Indolene 50%/Cso

Indolene 50%/Cso earns its keep whenever a formula calls for a realistic jasmine heart with a subtle animalic bite. A perfumer will often slot it into a jasmine accord alongside molecules such as Hedione, Methyl Dihydrojasmonate and Benzyl Acetate to round out the flower and give it the lived-in warmth found in natural absolutes. If the goal is a sun-washed gardenia, tuberose or ylang theme this material can also lend depth without stealing focus.

It truly shines in mid-note construction. A touch of Indolene will glue bright top notes to creamy musks or woods below, making the whole fragrance feel seamless. When a formula needs to survive harsh processes like high-pH soap curing or hot fabric-detergent production, Indolene is chosen over more delicate jasmine molecules thanks to its excellent stability and long-lasting power.

Suggested usage sits between trace amounts and 3 percent of the total concentrate, with most creators settling near 0.2–1 percent. At 0.1 percent you get a faint natural lift that whispers jasmine without turning indolic. Around 0.5 percent the floral signature becomes obvious and animalic facets peek out. Crossing 1 percent pushes the note into sensual territory that can quickly dominate lighter flowers. Over-dosing past 3 percent risks a dirty or rubbery edge and may clash with fresh aldehydes or citrus.

Indolene pairs well with materials that have green, fruity or solar nuances because it supplies the fatty backbone those lighter notes lack. It can muddy crystalline accords like lily of the valley or delicate tea florals, so many perfumers leave it out of such builds. In candles it boosts hot throw nicely yet can discolor pale wax if used too high.

The ingredient arrives as a thick liquid so weighing by syringe or disposable pipette is easier than pouring. Most labs pre-dilute it to 10 percent in ethanol or dipropylene glycol which speeds up blotter evaluation and helps prevent accidental over-use. Gentle warming of the stock bottle in a water bath loosens the fluid for accurate dosing.

Because its scent lingers for days any tools that touch Indolene should be washed promptly with alcohol then detergent to avoid ghosting on future trials.

Safely Using Indolene 50%/Cso

Dilution is key. Always make a 1–10 percent solution before smelling so the raw strength does not overwhelm your nose or skin. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle; instead fan the blotter toward you from a short distance.

Work in a well-ventilated area or under a fume hood to keep airborne concentration low. Protective nitrile gloves and safety glasses guard against splashes. The viscous nature of Indolene means a single drop can spread farther than expected so wipe spills immediately.

While the ingredient is classified as readily biodegradable it carries an ecotoxicity warning and can irritate skin in its neat form. Those with known fragrance allergies should handle it with extra care. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a medical professional before exposure.

Short encounters with low-level dilutions are generally considered safe yet prolonged contact or inhalation of concentrated vapors may cause headaches or sensitization. Remove contaminated clothing and wash affected skin with soap and water if any irritation appears.

Dispose of wipe cloths and leftover solutions in accordance with local chemical waste guidelines rather than rinsing them down the sink. Store the closed bottle in a cool dark place away from acids oxidizers and open flames.

Always read the latest Safety Data Sheet supplied by your vendor and revisit it regularly as classifications can change. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum allowable levels in each product category to ensure consumer safety.

How To Store & Dispose of Indolene 50%/Cso

Indolene 50%/Cso stays happiest in a cool dark cupboard away from direct sunlight heaters and fluctuating temperatures. A dedicated fragrance fridge around 5–8 °C can stretch shelf life a little further but is not essential if the ambient space is already moderate.

Always close the bottle with a tight-sealing polycone cap. These liners press against the neck and stop slow evaporation that can dull the scent or thicken the liquid. Dropper tops may look convenient yet they leak air and encourage oxidation so save them for brief pipetting only.

Try to keep containers as full as possible. Decant any partial stock into a smaller clean vial to reduce headspace then label both the parent and transfer bottle with the material name batch date and hazard symbols. Clear labels spare you from mystery samples later and keep anyone sharing the studio informed.

If you make working dilutions store them in amber glass or aluminium to block light and fit them with polycone or phenolic caps rather than corks. Mark the solvent type and concentration so you know exactly what is inside months down the line.

Accidental drips wipe up with paper towel followed by alcohol then soap and water. Bag the used towel before binning so the smell does not spread through the room.

Even though the molecule is readily biodegradable it carries an aquatic toxicity warning which means it should never be rinsed straight into the drain. Small leftovers can be absorbed onto kitty litter or sand sealed in a plastic bag and disposed of through your local hazardous waste service. Larger volumes belong in a labeled drum collected by a licensed disposal company.

Empty bottles should air out under a fume hood until odour free then go to recycling if local rules allow otherwise treat them as hazardous glass. Keep SDS sheets on file for reference and update your storage log whenever you buy or decant stock.

Summary

Indolene 50%/Cso is a Givaudan floral modifier that leans strongly jasmine with a gentle animalic warmth. Supplied as a thick yellow liquid it offers impressive tenacity and stands up to tough media like soap and detergent.

At trace levels it lifts a bouquet with natural realism while at higher dosages up to 3 percent it anchors the heart of white-floral perfumes. Its stability and mid-range price make it a reliable workhorse yet the scent profile is specific enough that it can overshadow lighter flowers if misused.

The material is well loved in professional labs but has not reached the ubiquity of Hedione or Iso E Super meaning hobbyists may overlook it. Still it is easy to source: commercial buyers go straight to Givaudan or authorised distributors and small-batch creators can pick up decants from specialty retailers or generic producers that repackage under the same CAS numbers.

Handle it with standard fragrance safety measures store it tightly sealed away from heat or light and dispose of any waste responsibly for years of smooth jasmine building.

Was this article helpful?
More from Glooshi:
ADVERTISEMENT
Get all our top headlines in beauty.
Delivered right to your inbox each week. Zero spam, all goodness, opt-out at anytime.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Send good feedback:

All feedback is greatly appreciated, anonymous, and will be used to improve the quality of our articles.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Send bad feedback:

All feedback is greatly appreciated, anonymous, and will be used to improve the quality of our articles.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.