What Is Tangerinol?
Tangerinol is an aroma chemical created by Swiss fragrance house Givaudan, although several other suppliers offer comparable versions under different trade names. It belongs to the family of specialty citrus ingredients that perfumers rely on to build lively top notes.
The material is obtained by a carefully controlled synthesis that starts with naturally occurring citrus terpenes. Through selective oxidation and distillation steps the lab isolates the desired molecule and removes trace impurities, giving perfumers a consistent high-purity ingredient batch after batch.
At room temperature Tangerinol appears as a clear colourless liquid with a thin oily texture. It pours easily and shows no tendency to crystallise or darken as long as the drum stays tightly closed.
Perfumers reach for Tangerinol whenever they need a realistic mandarin effect with a little extra bite. You will find it in modern colognes, sparkling florals and even woody accords where it lifts heavier notes. Usage is therefore fairly common across fine fragrance, personal care and some household products.
Stored in its original container, kept away from direct light and heat, Tangerinol remains in prime condition for roughly two years before its freshness starts to fade. The ingredient sits in the mid-priced bracket: not cheap enough for every high-volume detergent yet far from the most costly niche material.
Tangerinol’s Scent Description
This molecule falls squarely into the citrus family. On a perfume blotter it opens with a bright burst of sweet mandarin peel followed by a crisp grapefruit-like bitterness that gives it character. Underneath the juicy start there is a faintly fruity facet reminiscent of ripe apricot and, as minutes pass, a gentle creamy woodiness peeks through lending roundness.
Perfumers split a fragrance into top, middle and base notes. Top notes are the first impression, middle notes form the heart and base notes create lasting depth. Tangerinol lives in the top zone yet it outlasts many natural citrus oils, bridging smoothly into the heart before finally quietening down.
Projection is lively during the first hour, giving a sparkling aura without overwhelming the space. On skin or fabric the scent can linger three hours or so, which is considered good endurance for a citrus ingredient and makes it valuable for extending the freshness of an accord.
How & Where To Use Tangerinol
Perfumers turn to Tangerinol when they want a juicy tangerine top note that lasts longer than straight citrus oils yet still feels natural. It slips easily into classic hesperidic accords, lifts aldehydic openings, and freshens fruity florals without stealing the spotlight. Because the molecule carries a mild pithy bitterness it can replace part of a harsher terpene blend and smooth out any screechy edges.
In an Eau de Toilette a typical inclusion sits between 0.5 % and 2 %, enough to give a sparkling first impression while keeping room for zestier companions like citral or orange oil. Niche perfumers sometimes push up to 5 % in a cologne style formula to emphasise a sun-drenched peel effect. At trace levels it behaves more as a modifier, adding volume to melon, pear and tea accords where the wearer might not recognise citrus at all yet notices extra freshness.
Concentration matters. Below 0.3 % Tangerinol smells soft and sweet, almost candy-like. Around 1 % the clean tangerine peel character shines. Beyond 3 % the bitterness grows, and if the formula already contains aldehydes or iso-E-super the mixture can drift toward a plastic nuance. Over-use flattens the whole top accord so brief smelling sessions at incremental dosages are wise.
Outside fine fragrance, Tangerinol excels in soap thanks to exceptional bloom while washing. It also fares well in fabric conditioners and shampoos that sit near pH 3-6 where its odour remains bright. In candles or reed diffusers the high boiling point means good throw once warmed, though initial cold-throw is softer than lighter terpenes. Avoid in high-pH bleach cleaners and strong oxidising systems as the ester bond can break and generate off notes.
Prep is simple: dilute to 10 % in ethanol or dipropylene glycol for easy pipetting and more accurate weighing. Check stability tests early if a formula contains strong bases, acids or reactive metals. Pairing with antioxidants like BHT helps preserve freshness over time.
Safely Using Tangerinol
Good lab habits keep Tangerinol enjoyable. Always dilute the raw material before evaluating, ideally to 10 % or less. Avoid sniffing straight from the bottle, instead waft diluted strips toward the nose. Work in a well ventilated space so vapours never build up, and wear nitrile gloves plus safety glasses to prevent skin or eye contact.
Like many aroma chemicals, neat Tangerinol can irritate sensitive skin or trigger allergies in predisposed individuals. Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a healthcare professional before regular exposure. Short sessions with low concentrations are generally considered safe yet high or prolonged exposure may cause headaches or respiratory discomfort.
Store the bottle tightly closed in a cool dark cabinet away from heat sources and oxidising agents. Dispose of unwanted stock through a chemical waste contractor rather than pouring down the drain. Regularly review the supplier’s latest safety data sheet as classifications and recommended limits can change. Finally, follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum use levels in each product category to ensure consumer safety.
How To Store & Dispose of Tangerinol
Good storage habits keep Tangerinol bright and true. A cool dark cupboard is usually enough but placing the bottle in a fridge at around 4 °C can add several extra months of freshness.
Light and heat speed up oxidation so never leave the bottle on a sunny bench or close to a radiator. Use opaque aluminum or fluorinated HDPE where possible and always screw the cap back on right after each pour.
For dilutions switch to bottles fitted with polycone caps. These create a tight seal that limits air exchange. Avoid glass dropper tops because the rubber bulbs let oxygen creep in and can also leach odor onto the juice.
Try to keep containers nearly full. Less headspace means less oxygen sitting above the liquid. If a bottle is half empty decant into a smaller one to limit the air gap.
Label every container with the name Tangerinol, the dilution percentage, the date made and basic safety notes such as “irritant” or “for external use only.” Clear labels save time and prevent mix ups later on.
When a batch no longer smells fresh, first check if a top up with antioxidant can rescue it. If not, send the residue to a licensed chemical waste handler. While Tangerinol is readily biodegradable and classed as non-hazardous to the environment, local rules often forbid tipping aroma chemicals down household drains.
Empty bottles should be triple rinsed with detergent water before recycling. The rinse water belongs in the same disposal stream as the raw material to stay on the safe side.
Summary
Tangerinol is a Givaudan-developed aroma chemical that delivers a juicy tangerine peel effect with a touch of pithy bitterness. It lives in the citrus family yet lasts longer on blotter than most natural terpenes which makes it handy for fine fragrance, soaps and hair care.
At 0.5 % to 5 % it brings sparkle and volume to top notes, lifts aldehydes and even boosts sandalwood accords in soap. Cost sits in the middle range so it suits both mass market and niche work, although overuse can push a formula toward plastic nuances.
The material is stable in the usual pH window for personal care but will fade in high-alkaline bleach cleaners. Storing it cool and tightly capped protects its brightness.
You can buy Tangerinol directly from Givaudan in drum lots or pick up smaller bottles from speciality resellers and generic suppliers who offer the same CAS numbers. With its balanced price, punchy scent and easy handling it has earned a steady place in the modern perfumer’s organ.