What Is Sclareolate?
Sclareolate is an aroma molecule created to capture the fresh floral aura of clary sage while keeping the material easy to use in modern perfumery. It was first commercialised by DSM-Firmenich, though other suppliers now offer comparable grades under generic names.
The ingredient is made by chemical synthesis. Chemists start with small building-block molecules and connect them step by step until the final structure appears. The process follows current green chemistry guidelines, so it limits waste and avoids harsh reagents wherever possible.
At room temperature the material is a clear mobile liquid that pours without difficulty. It has low vapor pressure, so it does not evaporate too quickly while you are working with it.
Because Sclareolate delivers a clean white-floral lift yet remains stable in soap, detergent and candle bases, it shows up in many everyday products as well as in fine fragrance. That broad usability makes it a staple on many formulation benches.
When stored in a cool dark place inside a tightly closed container, most suppliers give it a recommended shelf life of roughly two to three years before noticeable oxidation can creep in.
The raw material sits in the mid-price tier. It costs more than bulk citrus terpenes yet far less than exotic natural absolutes, which lets perfumers dose it generously without blowing the budget.
Sclareolate’s Scent Description
This material falls into the floral family, specifically the airy white-floral sub-group.
Off a paper blotter the first impression is a bright clary-sage bouquet that blends gentle lavender petals with a fruity pear nuance and a breezy minty edge. After a few minutes a creamy white-flower effect comes forward, softer than gardenia yet cleaner than orange blossom. As the scent settles it leaves a faintly woody skin warmth that keeps the floral profile feeling natural rather than soapy.
Perfumers often explain a fragrance in terms of top, middle and base notes. Top notes are the first flashes you smell, middle notes build the heart, and base notes linger longest. Sclareolate sits squarely in the middle zone. It arrives after the very first citrus spark then bridges smoothly into the drydown.
Projection is moderate, giving a polite halo rather than a room-filling blast. On a smelling strip the aroma stays recognisable for around two hours before fading to a whisper, which classifies it as having light to medium tenacity within the floral materials palette.
How & Where To Use Sclareolate
Perfumers reach for Sclareolate when they want a clean white floral lift that still feels natural. It excels in the heart of a fragrance, pairing smoothly with citrus top notes then easing into woody or musky bases. A typical clary-sage, lavender or mint accord gains extra radiance and staying power when a dash of this molecule is added.
In modern fruity florals Sclareolate helps tie juicy pear or apple facets to a petal-soft core. It also freshens classic fougère constructions, lending an airy clarity that keeps the lavender from turning heavy. If the goal is to brighten an orange-blossom absolute without pushing the cost too high, this material is often the first choice over linalool or dihydromyrcenol because it smells more nuanced and less detergent-like.
Recommended usage levels run from mere traces for a subtle polish up to about 5 percent of the concentrate for a pronounced signature. At very low doses it gives an almost invisible transparency that makes floral blends feel “high definition.” Around 1–2 percent the sage aspect becomes recognisable and the pear-mint sparkle stands out. Push it toward the upper limit and the note can turn sharp or clinical, so careful titration is wise.
Over-use can also flatten the top notes of a formula, especially delicate citrus peels, so balance with softer materials such as benzyl acetate or a light musk if you need to raise the dose. In soap or detergent bases where the fragrance must survive high pH, Sclareolate shows excellent stability, yet you may still need to boost the blend with a small amount of antioxidant to slow oxidation during long warehouse storage.
No special pre-dilution is required for lab work because the material is already a mobile liquid, though weighing viscous naturals first can prevent inaccurate scales once the Sclareolate is added. A 10 percent ethanol or dipropylene glycol solution makes blotter evaluation easier and keeps your nose from being overwhelmed.
It dissolves readily in most common solvents and does not cloud typical surfactant systems, but if you plan to load it into a candle blend run a small burn test to ensure the sage facet stays fresh after prolonged heating.
Safely Information
Always dilute Sclareolate before smelling it and avoid sniffing straight from the bottle. Work in a well-ventilated area so vapours do not build up. Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to prevent accidental skin or eye contact.
Like many aroma chemicals it can trigger irritation or allergies in sensitive individuals, particularly at higher concentrations. Brief low-level exposure is generally considered safe yet prolonged handling or inhalation of strong vapour should be avoided. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a medical professional before working with any fragrance raw material.
Keep the liquid away from open flames since its flashpoint is 87 °C. In case of spills wipe with an absorbent pad then dispose of the waste according to local regulations, never down the sink. Store the bottle tightly closed in a cool dark cabinet to slow oxidation and prevent pressure build-up.
Always refer to the latest Material Safety Data Sheet supplied by your vendor for definitive toxicology and handling instructions, and follow current IFRA guidelines when setting the final usage level in consumer products.
How To Store & Dispose of Sclareolate
Freshness is the perfumer’s friend, so consider keeping your bottle of Sclareolate in the refrigerator if space allows. Chilled storage slows oxidation and can extend the shelf life well beyond the normal two-to-three-year window. If cold storage is not practical a cool, dark cupboard away from radiators or direct sun is usually adequate.
Air is the second enemy. Use bottles that can be filled close to the top and seal them with polycone caps. These conical liners grip the glass and keep volatile compounds from escaping. Dropper bottles look convenient yet rarely close tightly enough, so reserve them for finished dilutions that will be used quickly.
Keep working dilutions in smaller containers rather than reopening the main stock each time. Every time you uncap the parent bottle you introduce a fresh slug of oxygen that nibbles away at the bright sage facet.
Label every vessel with the material name, the date it was opened and any hazard pictograms required by your local regulations. Clear labeling prevents mix-ups and keeps helpers or curious family members from treating the liquid like a harmless essential oil.
When a batch finally oxidises past usability do not pour it down the sink. Though Sclareolate is ultimately biodegradable its concentrated form can still harm aquatic life. Small lab quantities can be absorbed onto cat litter or paper towels, placed in a sealed bag and disposed of with hazardous waste according to municipal rules. Larger volumes should be sent to a licensed chemical disposal facility.
Summary
Sclareolate is a DSM-Firmenich creation that captures the airy floral glow of clary sage in a user-friendly liquid. On the blotter it opens with fruity lavender and mint then settles into a clean white flower that bridges citrus tops to woody bases. Moderate projection and two hours of persistence make it a versatile middle-note booster.
Perfumers lean on it to brighten lavender, extend citrus, polish fruity florals and add clarity to soaps or detergents where naturals might fade. It sits in the mid-price tier, offering premium nuance without premium cost, and its stability in tough bases broadens its appeal.
Remember that it can turn sharp if overdosed and loses sparkle when exposed to air, so dose with care and store in tightly sealed, well-filled bottles. Follow standard safety measures and dispose of leftovers responsibly despite its biodegradability.
You can buy commercial quantities directly from DSM-Firmenich or through their distribution partners. Hobbyists and indie brands will find smaller volumes from specialist fragrance suppliers and generic versions from bulk aroma dealers, allowing everyone from bedroom mixers to global houses to enjoy its fresh sage charm.