What Is Sandela 85%/Ipm?
Sandela 85%/Ipm is a proprietary aroma chemical designed to recreate the warm creamy facets of sandalwood. It comes from Givaudan, yet other suppliers occasionally list similar sandalwood acetates under generic names. While natural sandalwood oil relies on slow-growing trees, this molecule is produced in modern reactors through controlled esterification and purification steps, giving a reliable profile batch after batch.
The material appears as a clear, slightly thick liquid at room temperature. It pours more slowly than water and clings to glass, a hint at its high molecular weight and low volatility. That heaviness is exactly why perfumers reach for it when they need sandalwood depth that sticks around.
Sandela 85%/Ipm shows up in fine fragrance, soaps, detergents and candles. Because it blends smoothly with floral, amber and gourmand notes, it has become a studio staple over the past few decades. A properly sealed drum stored away from heat and light will keep its character for roughly two to three years before subtle oxidation dulls the scent.
Cost wise it sits in the mid to upper tier of synthetic woods. It is far less pricey than authentic Mysore oil yet more expensive than common woody bases, a balance that allows widespread use without breaking a fragrance budget.
Sandela 85%/Ipm’s Scent Description
This ingredient belongs to the woody family. On a fresh blotter it opens with a smooth sandalwood core that feels milky rather than dry. Within minutes a gentle balsamic sweetness emerges, bringing to mind polished cedar boxes rubbed with vanilla. There is also a faint velvety note reminiscent of almond skin that softens the wood and keeps it from smelling harsh.
Perfumers often break a scent into top, middle and base notes. Tops are the first bright flashes, middles form the heart and bases linger longest. Sandela 85%/Ipm is firmly a base note. It takes a little time to bloom but once it does it anchors a composition for hours, sometimes days on fabric.
Projection is moderate. It radiates a comfortable aura rather than a loud cloud, making it perfect for both personal fragrances and home products where warmth and subtlety are prized. Longevity is excellent thanks to its low vapor pressure, with detectable traces on a blotter after three weeks in controlled tests.
How & Where To Use Sandela 85%/Ipm
Perfumers reach for Sandela 85%/Ipm when they need a dependable woody backbone that feels like real sandalwood yet costs far less than the natural oil. It fits effortlessly into classic sandalwood accords and also pairs well with cedar, amber, musk, gourmand lactones or even bright citruses for contrast. Because it is smooth and slightly balsamic it rounds out harsh edges and deepens light blends without stealing the spotlight.
The material shines in oriental, fougère and modern woody-floral compositions. In masculine work it bolsters vetiver or patchouli while in feminine creations it gives creamy support to jasmine, iris or rose. Use it instead of or alongside materials such as Javanol, Ebanol or natural sandalwood when budget, sustainability or IFRA limits make those alternatives tricky.
Givaudan rates its performance between 1 percent and 25 percent in finished product yet many fine-fragrance formulas sit comfortably around 2-5 percent of the concentrate. At low traces it acts mainly as a fixative that extends dry-down. Around 3 percent it becomes clearly noticeable giving a soft, milky sandal facet. Push it above 8 percent and the note dominates, sometimes tipping into a waxy, oily quality that can flatten the overall profile.
Functional products are another strong suit. Sandela survives the alkaline environment of bar soap, the heat of candles and the wash cycles of detergents with very little odour change. Bloom in soap is rated medium so pairing it with more diffusive top notes ensures a rounded wash-off experience. It also excels in air fresheners and reed diffusers thanks to its long tenacity.
Over-use can mute brighter notes and create an overly heavy base that feels muddy on skin. Always run a few dilution trials before locking in a level. Combine it with lighter sandal boosters such as Sandalore or citronellyl nitrile if extra lift is required.
In the lab the ingredient is easy to handle but viscous. Warm the bottle slightly in a water bath or place it on a gentle heat block for a few minutes to improve pourability. Prepare a 10 percent solution in dipropylene glycol, ethanol or isopropyl myristate for precise weighing and safer smelling. Stir or roll the bottle before each use to keep the active content evenly distributed.
Safely Using Sandela 85%/Ipm
Dilution is key when evaluating any aroma chemical. Always make a working solution before smelling Sandela 85%/Ipm and avoid direct sniffing from the bottle. Conduct evaluations in a well-ventilated space so vapours do not build up. Protective gloves and safety glasses keep accidental splashes off skin and out of eyes.
Most users experience no problems at normal working levels yet any fragrance raw material can provoke irritation or sensitisation in some individuals. If you notice redness, itching or respiratory discomfort stop handling the material and seek medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a healthcare professional before regular exposure.
Brief, low-level exposure is generally considered safe. Prolonged contact or inhalation of high concentrations may pose health risks so keep containers closed when not in use and wipe spills promptly. Store away from food, drink and direct sunlight.
Dispose of unwanted Sandela 85%/Ipm or rinse water through your local hazardous-waste system rather than down the sink. Keep accurate records of the lot number and opening date so any future traceability or safety updates can be applied.
Above all, refer to the latest Material Safety Data Sheet supplied with your batch and check it periodically for revisions. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum concentration in each product category to ensure both consumer safety and regulatory compliance.
How To Store & Dispose of Sandela 85%/Ipm
Store Sandela 85%/Ipm in tightly closed amber or stainless-steel containers kept in a cool, shaded spot away from direct heat sources. A household fridge set between 4 °C and 8 °C can further slow oxidation if space allows yet room-temperature cabinets that stay below 25 °C also work well.
Always fit bottles with polycone caps because the liner forms a tight seal that prevents slow leaks and keeps air out. Dropper tops allow too much oxygen exchange so reserve those for short-term testing only. Top up stock bottles or decant into smaller vials once the fill level drops below half so the headspace stays minimal.
Label every container clearly with the material name, batch or receipt date, and hazard pictograms from the Safety Data Sheet. Doing so avoids mix-ups, reminds users of any risks and helps emergency responders if a spill occurs.
For disposal treat Sandela 85%/Ipm as chemical waste. Do not pour it down household drains since the isopropyl myristate carrier and the active alcohol are not classed as readily biodegradable. Small lab residues can be soaked into an absorbent pad and placed in a sealed bag, then sent with solvents and oils to your local hazardous-waste collection point. Rinse water from glassware should also enter the same waste stream.
If you are running a larger facility follow your regional regulations for spent fragrances, maintain records of volumes discarded and consult a licensed waste handler when in doubt.
Summary
Sandela 85%/Ipm is an easy-to-use liquid that delivers a smooth, creamy sandalwood note with light balsamic warmth. It sits in the woody base register, lasts for weeks on a blotter and excels at extending dry-down or rounding sharp corners in many styles from orientals to modern florals.
Perfumers value it because it bridges the gap between costly natural sandalwood oil and more forceful newer synthetics. Its stability across a wide pH range, strong performance in soap and candles, and friendly mid-range price make it a workhorse in commercial briefs and hobby blends alike.
Keep in mind that high doses may flatten a formula, oxidation can dull its scent over time and the viscous carrier demands careful handling. Store it cool with polycone caps, monitor age and cap it tightly to get the most from your supply.
Bulk buyers can source Sandela 85%/Ipm directly from Givaudan or authorized distributors. Smaller packs suitable for training or small-batch projects are widely offered by specialty resellers and generic manufacturers, giving both professionals and enthusiasts an easy path to explore this versatile sandalwood tool.