What Is Styrax Honduras Res Neutralized?
Styrax Honduras Res Neutralized is a balsamic perfume ingredient obtained from the gum of the Liquidambar tree that grows in Honduras. The version most often found in fragrance labs comes from DSM-Firmenich, though smaller aroma houses sell closely matching equivalents. It arrives as a dark amber liquid that pours slowly yet remains fluid at room temperature, making it easier to weigh and blend than some thicker resins.
The material starts life as sticky gum tapped from the tree. After harvest it undergoes solvent extraction to create a concrete or resinoid. A second gentle wash removes excess acids, yielding the “neutralized” grade that perfumers prefer for its cleaner scent profile and improved stability. No distillation is involved so the final product keeps many of the natural balsam facets of the raw gum.
In the fragrance world this ingredient is well known but not as ubiquitous as vanilla or patchouli. It shows up in both niche and mass-market formulas whenever a perfumer wants a warm resinous foundation without leaning on heavy incense notes. Properly stored in a cool dark place it will hold its character for about two years before the top nuances fade, although the base sweetness can last even longer.
Cost sits in the mid range. It is more affordable than rare absolutes like oud yet costs more than common synthetics. Given its staying power in a formula a small amount often goes a long way, keeping overall usage economical for most projects.
Styrax Honduras Res Neutralized’s Scent Description
This ingredient falls into the balsamic family, a group known for cozy resin-like sweetness. Off a blotter the first impression is rich and treacly with hints of maple syrup and vanilla bean. Within a few minutes a fresher aspect peeks through that recalls crushed cinnamon bark and damp forest wood. As it dries further a soft floral glow emerges, bringing to mind dried jasmine petals resting on warm amber resin.
Perfumers like to divide a scent into top, middle and base notes. Tops sparkle for minutes, middles sing for an hour or two and bases linger for the long haul. Styrax Honduras Res Neutralized lives squarely in the base. It has a slight middle-note lift thanks to its gentle spiciness yet its main task is to anchor a blend, allowing brighter materials to shine while it hums in the background.
Projection is moderate. It radiates enough to round out the scent bubble without shouting. Its longevity is impressive; traces can cling to fabric for a full day and on skin it often lasts eight hours or more, especially when paired with other resins or musks.
How & Where To Use Styrax Honduras Res Neutralized
Perfumers reach for Styrax Honduras Res Neutralized when they need a warm resinous backbone that keeps a formula cohesive without stealing the spotlight. It excels in chypre and amber styles but also lends a subtle spicy sweetness to gourmands floral orientals and even certain fougères. Whenever a composition feels hollow in the low register a touch of this resin can knit the pieces together.
Used at trace levels of 0.1 % it gives a gentle cinnamon-like lift and a light floral glow that freshens the base. Between 0.5 % and 2 % the full balsamic richness appears adding depth and soft diffusion. Above 3 % it dominates with molasses-like heft which can be desirable in candle blends yet may flatten the nuance of fine fragrance if not balanced with brighter materials.
Because it is a natural extract colour can range from reddish brown to dark amber. High doses may tint a finished perfume concentrate and can darken surfactant bases such as liquid soap. In clear products where colour is a concern keep the level low or offset with antioxidants and UV absorbers.
Over-use risks include a sticky heavy dry-down loss of sparkle in the heart notes and a lingering cinnamon facet that can clash with delicate florals. It can also increase the tendency of a formula to stain fabric. Start low build gradually and smell on skin and blotter after several hours to judge its final effect.
The material ships as a thick yet pourable liquid. If it has cooled and thickened place the closed bottle in a warm water bath for a few minutes to restore flow. Pre-diluting to 10 % in ethanol or dipropylene glycol simplifies weighing and speeds up blending. Pass the dilution through a fine filter if any resin grains remain.
Safety Information
Always dilute Styrax Honduras Res Neutralized before smelling it. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle and work in a well-ventilated space to prevent inhaling concentrated vapors. Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses so the liquid never touches skin or eyes.
Like many natural resins it contains trace compounds that can irritate sensitive skin or trigger allergies. Limit exposure time handle it with care and wash with soap and water if contact occurs. Seek medical advice before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Short encounters with low airborne levels are generally considered safe yet prolonged or high-strength exposure may cause headaches respiratory discomfort or dermatitis. Keep containers tightly closed label them clearly and store out of reach of children and pets.
Consult the latest Material Safety Data Sheet supplied by your distributor for up-to-date hazard data first-aid advice and recommended exposure limits. Confirm that your formula stays within current IFRA guidelines for styrax derivatives as these limits can change when new toxicology findings emerge.
How To Store & Dispose of Styrax Honduras Res Neutralized
Keep Styrax Honduras Res Neutralized in a cool dark cabinet away from radiators, sunny windows and any source of ignition. A temperature close to 20 °C is usually fine, yet a dedicated refrigerator set to around 4 °C can stretch shelf life by slowing oxidation. If you choose cold storage let the bottle warm to room temperature before opening so moisture will not condense inside.
Air is the main enemy of resinous materials. Use bottles that can be topped up as the level drops so less oxygen sits above the liquid. Amber glass or coated aluminium work best. Fit them with polycone caps rather than droppers or pipettes since those rarely seal tightly and solvents can eat the rubber bulbs.
For working solutions at 10 % or lower strength, store in the same way and label the dilution date. A quick swirl every few months reveals any sediment or cloudiness that suggests oxidation. Adding 0.05 % tocopherol (vitamin E) can slow colour shift in long term stock.
Label every container with the full name, batch number, hazard pictograms and the date it was opened. Clear labelling prevents mix-ups in busy labs and keeps hobby shelves safe for curious visitors.
When a sample has degraded or you need to discard excess, do not pour it down the sink. Small amounts can be absorbed onto paper towels or cat litter then sealed in a bag and placed with household waste if local rules allow. Larger volumes should go to a licensed chemical disposal facility or be collected during hazardous waste drives run by your municipality.
Styrax extracts are partly biodegradable yet the solvent residues and high aromatic load can stress wastewater plants. Responsible disposal protects waterways and avoids fines.
Summary
Styrax Honduras Res Neutralized is a liquid balsamic extract from Honduran Liquidambar gum that delivers a sweet spicy resinous base note reminiscent of maple syrup, soft cinnamon and warm florals. It anchors chypres, ambers, gourmands and many woody blends while doubling as a gentle fixative that boosts longevity.
Its moderate price, dependable performance and pleasant character make it a respected workhorse in both niche and mainstream perfumery, though it is not as omnipresent as vanilla or patchouli. Stability is good for about two years if kept cool and air tight, and its rich colour demands caution in clear products.
Commercial buyers can source the DSM-Firmenich grade directly in kilogram drums. Hobbyists will find smaller bottles from specialty suppliers, reseller decanters and generic equivalents that match the profile closely. Whichever route you choose, test at low percentages first, watch for oxidation and enjoy the smooth balsamic warmth it brings to a formula.