What Is Lavandin Abs?
Lavandin Abs is an aromatic perfume ingredient obtained from the stems and flowers of the lavandin plant, a natural hybrid of true lavender and spike lavender. The material is supplied by DSM-Firmenich, though other aroma houses offer comparable absolutes produced to similar standards.
The absolute is made through a two-step solvent extraction. Fresh or dried plant matter is first washed with a volatile solvent to create a concrete or resinoid. A further purification step removes the non-aromatic waxes leaving a pourable golden-brown liquid that is easy to dose and blend.
Perfumers reach for Lavandin Abs when they want the recognizable lavender vibe but with extra herbal bite and a touch of hay-like warmth. Thanks to its versatility it appears in everything from fine fragrance to household cleaners so it is one of the more frequently ordered lavender derivatives.
The material is relatively stable. When kept in a cool dark place in a well-sealed container it retains its character for around two to three years before the fresher facets start to fade. Cost sits in the mid-range for naturals which makes it affordable for large-scale functional products yet special enough for niche perfumery.
Lavandin Abs’s Scent Description
Lavandin Abs sits firmly in the aromatic family where herbal freshness meets soft floral nuances. Off a blotter the first impression is brisk and green, almost as if crushed lavender sprigs were mixed with a hint of eucalyptus. Within minutes a sweeter, more floral lavender heart surfaces supported by gentle camphor and a meadow-like hay note that brings a sunny warmth.
Perfume notes are often grouped into top, middle and base categories that unfold over time. Lavandin Abs lives mainly in the upper-middle zone. It boosts the opening, carries the theme through the heart and fades before the deepest woody or resinous bases take over. On a strip it projects briskly for the first hour, then settles into a soft halo that lingers another three or four hours before disappearing.
Projection is moderate which lets it freshen a composition without overpowering delicate partners. Longevity is also moderate, long enough to bridge bright top notes like citrus to grounding materials such as vetiver or patchouli while adding its own distinct herbal charm.
How & Where To Use Lavandin Abs
Perfumers bring in Lavandin Abs when they want a lavender feel that carries more lift and greenery than true lavender oil. It shines in fougère builders, chypre refreshers and modern aromatics that need an immediate herbal sparkle before sliding into warm hay. Its rounded sweetness also rounds out sharp pine or lemon notes without losing clarity.
At trace amounts around 0.1 % it behaves almost like a modifier, brightening citrus or mint while remaining below the threshold of recognition. Around 1 – 2 % it steps forward as a clear lavender signature, perfect for shower gels, soaps or colognes where clean familiarity is key. Push it toward 4 – 5 % and the coumarin facet dominates giving a haylike softness that can flatten a blend if not balanced with crisp woods or musks.
Because it sits in the upper-mid register Lavandin Abs often bridges top notes into heart accords. Pair it with clary sage to extend freshness, with patchouli or vetiver for depth or with labdanum to craft a resinous herb accord. In candles and detergents it anchors volatile lavender top notes that would otherwise burn off quickly.
Drawbacks appear in delicate floral work where its camphor edge can overshadow rose or jasmine. Overdosing can also add a medicinal quality that reads more cough drop than countryside. If you need pure pastel lavender consider switching to lavender population oil or linalyl acetate instead.
The material is pourable at room temperature so no warming is needed. It dissolves readily in alcohol and most fragrance solvents but may cloud in high water bases without a solubilizer. Pre-blend at 10 % in ethanol or dipropylene glycol for easier weighing and to avoid local hotspots of scent intensity.
Safety Information
Always dilute Lavandin Abs before evaluating it on a blotter and resist the urge to sniff straight from the bottle. Work in a space with good airflow so vapor levels stay low. Gloves and safety glasses protect skin and eyes from accidental contact.
Like many natural extracts Lavandin Abs contains constituents that can trigger irritation or allergic responses in sensitive individuals. Brief exposure to low concentrations is usually well tolerated yet extended handling or high airborne levels may lead to headaches or respiratory discomfort. Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should ask a medical professional before routine use.
Should the material touch skin wash the area with mild soap and water. If eye contact occurs rinse with clean water for several minutes then seek medical advice if discomfort persists. Keep the container tightly closed when not in use to minimize oxidation that can increase sensitizing by-products.
For the most reliable data consult the latest safety data sheet from your supplier and revisit it periodically as revisions are common. Follow current IFRA guidelines to set safe maximums in finished products and adjust whenever new limits are published.
How To Store & Dispose of Lavandin Abs
Lavandin Abs lasts longest when it is shielded from light, heat and oxygen. A cool cupboard is usually enough but a dedicated fragrance refrigerator will stretch shelf life further. Aim for a stable temperature around 5‒15 °C and avoid placing the bottle near a door where daily opening causes warm air to rush in.
Oxygen is the main enemy of freshness. Transfer the material into the smallest practical bottle so headspace stays minimal. Use polycone caps that form a tight seal instead of glass dropper tops that allow slow evaporation and leakage. Wipe the threads before closing to keep resin from ruining the seal.
Label every container with the name, batch number, date of decant and any hazard icons recommended in the safety data sheet. If you create a working dilution, mark the concentration clearly so no one mistakes a 10 % blend for neat oil.
Store the bottles upright inside a secondary tray to catch spills. Keep acids, strong bases and oxidising agents in a separate area so accidental cross contamination cannot occur. For hobby spaces a dark, lockable box on a low shelf keeps children and pets safe.
When a batch has oxidised past usefulness, do not pour it down the sink. Small hobby amounts can be mixed with kitty litter or coffee grounds then sealed in a bag and placed in household trash according to local rules. Larger volumes should go to a licensed chemical disposal service so the oil can be incinerated under controlled conditions. Although the raw material is largely biodegradable, high concentrations can still harm aquatic life if released directly.
Summary
Lavandin Abs is a liquid absolute distilled from the stems and flowers of lavandin, offering a brighter greener take on classic lavender. It opens with brisk herbal notes, settles into a gentle floral heart and finishes with a soft hay nuance, making it a flexible middle register player in fougères, chypres, colognes, soaps and home care scents.
Perfumers prize the material because it bridges sparkling citrus tops to earthy bases while adding its own clean signature. Cost sits comfortably mid range for naturals and stability is fair as long as the oil is kept cool, dark and tightly capped. Too much dosing can push the blend toward medicinal territory so balance is key.
DSM-Firmenich supplies Lavandin Abs in bulk but smaller packs can be sourced from reseller websites and generic fragrance suppliers, giving both seasoned professionals and curious hobbyists easy access to this versatile aromatic tool.