What Is Linalyl Cinnamate?
Linalyl Cinnamate is an aromatic ester that links the terpene alcohol linalool with cinnamic acid. Chemists first documented it in the early 1950s during work on new perfume fixatives.
Today it is obtained by a straightforward esterification step that can start from naturally sourced linalool, petrochemical linalool or a mix of both partnered with cinnamic acid. The process is efficient, uses standard solvents and sits in the simple category of fragrance manufacturing.
At room temperature the material appears as a clear, colorless oily liquid that pours easily yet clings lightly to glassware. It stays stable under normal handling and resists quick evaporation thanks to its relatively high boiling point.
Linalyl Cinnamate turns up most often in fine fragrance blends and to a lesser extent in functional products such as shampoos and fabric conditioners. It is valued for its ability to round out delicate bouquets and improve lasting power without stealing the spotlight.
The ingredient sits in the mid price bracket. Perfumers consider it accessible enough for large production runs yet special enough to justify inclusion in prestige formulas.
What Does Linalyl Cinnamate Smell Like?
Perfumers slot Linalyl Cinnamate into the floral family.
Off a blotter it first presents a soft petal quality that brings to mind fresh lilac and neroli accords. Almost immediately a gentle fruity tone, reminiscent of ripe pear and apricot, glides in and sweetens the impression. As the minutes pass a smooth balsamic layer appears adding a light resinous warmth plus a hint of honeyed sweetness that ties everything together.
In the traditional perfume pyramid the material sits between the heart and the base. It rises a little slower than brisk top notes, anchors itself in the middle phase then lingers well into the drydown thanks to its weightier backbone.
Projection is moderate so it will not overpower nearby notes yet still adds a pleasant aura around the wearer. On a standard paper blotter it lasts roughly eight hours which translates to dependable staying power in both fine fragrance and functional products.
How & Where To Use Linalyl Cinnamate
This is a pleasant material to handle: it pours smoothly, is not too volatile and its scent stays consistent while you work.
Perfumers pull it out when a floral heart feels thin or needs a softer bridge into the base. It rounds off lilac, orange blossom, mimosa and magnolia themes, adding a pear-like sweetness and a mild balsamic glow that makes the whole accord feel polished. If you want extra lift without more powder try benzyl acetate; if you want quiet lasting power choose Linalyl Cinnamate instead.
In fruity florals it links peach, apricot or pear notes with creamy woods, reducing harsh edges that sometimes pop up in that style. In oriental blends it lightens heavy balsams so the result smells airy rather than syrupy. Many perfumers also slip a trace into citrus colognes to give the drydown a gentle floral echo without changing the brief.
The common usage window is 0.5-5 %. At 0.5 % you will notice mostly the fruity sweetness. From 2 % upward the floral heart blooms and the balsamic warmth becomes clearer. Beyond 5 % it can start to cloud lighter top notes and may feel sticky, so is rarely pushed further.
It performs well in alcohol based sprays, body mists, shampoos and fabric conditioners. It holds up in soap yet its dry substantivity is modest, so pair it with more tenacious fixatives if bar life is critical. It is less successful in high-pH bleach systems where the odour thins out fast.
No special prep is needed beyond the usual: weigh accurately, pre-dilute to 10 % in ethanol or dipropylene glycol for easy measuring and safer smelling, then add to the concentrate. The material blends quickly and shows no known incompatibility with common perfumery solvents.
Safely Information
Like all fragrance ingredients Linalyl Cinnamate calls for sensible handling and a few basic safeguards.
- Always dilute before evaluation: prepare a 10 % or weaker solution so you can judge the odour without overexposure.
- No direct sniffing from the bottle: waft vapour from the diluted strip instead.
- Work in a well-ventilated space: good airflow reduces the risk of inhaling concentrated fumes.
- Wear gloves and safety glasses: this shields skin and eyes from accidental splashes.
- Health considerations: some people may develop irritation or allergic reactions. Short low-level contact is normally safe yet prolonged or high-level exposure can be harmful. Seek medical advice before use if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Always check the latest safety data sheet from your supplier and stay within any IFRA limits that apply to your product category. Regulations and recommendations can change, so make a habit of reviewing them before each new project.
Storage And Disposal
When kept in ideal conditions a sealed bottle of Linalyl Cinnamate will stay in spec for roughly two to three years. The odour softens slowly over time yet remains usable well past the printed date if no off notes appear.
Refrigeration is helpful but not essential. A standard cool cupboard that stays below 20 °C and never sees direct sunlight will do the job. Steady temperature is more important than extreme cold.
Light and air are the main enemies. Store the material in amber glass or opaque fluorinated plastic, cap it tightly and tuck it away from any heat sources or bright windows. Top up working bottles whenever possible so very little headspace is left between liquid and cap, cutting down on oxidation.
For dilutions choose bottles fitted with polycone caps. They seal snugly and stop slow evaporation that can skew concentrations. Skip dropper bottles because the rubber bulbs breathe and let oxygen creep in.
Label every container with the INCI or common name, date of opening, and key hazard phrases so anyone on the bench knows exactly what is inside.
If you need to discard old stock, do not pour it into the sink. The material is readily biodegradable and classed as non hazardous to aquatic life, yet local regulations may still require disposal through a chemical waste stream. Small household quantities can usually go into an absorbent such as cat litter, sealed in a bag then placed with general waste, but check your municipal guidelines first.
Rinse empty bottles with a little solvent, add that rinse to your next alcohol base to avoid waste, then recycle the clean glass or plastic as usual.
Summary
Linalyl Cinnamate is an ester that links the gentle freshness of linalool with a touch of cinnamic sweetness. It smells like soft lilac wrapped in pear nectar and a light balsamic glaze that hangs around for hours.
Perfumers love it because a small dose polishes floral hearts, bridges fruity notes to creamy woods and smooths out orientals without adding weight. It works in eau de parfum, shampoo, fabric softener and even bar soap so it is a fun, flexible tool on the organ.
The ingredient sits at a comfortable mid price, lasts well in storage and is easy to blend, though its dry substantivity is modest and very high pH systems can wash it out. Keep an eye on air exposure, respect usage levels up to five percent and it will reward you with a natural, long lasting caress in almost any accord.