Perfumery Ingredients

You may purchase many of these on the following pages:
Absolutes | Essential Oils | Fragrance Oils | Packaging and Bottles | Glossary

Materials derived from animals:

Ambergris: As the sperm whale eats crustaceans, the inner lining of its intestine is scratched thus producing a coating that later hardens and is eventually excreted. Ambergris has a woody, balsamic odor.

Castoreum: A secretion from the beaver. Can be used as a fixative and has a leathery odor.

Musk: Secretion from the male musk deer. Adds a sensual note to perfume.

Civet: Secretion from the civet cat. Used as a fixative.

Materials derived from plants, and other non-animal sources:

Amber:

Anise:

Anjelica:

Balsam:

Basil:

Bay Leaf:

Bayberry:

Benzoin:

Bergamot:

Birch:

Black Currant Bud:

Boronia:

Broom:

Buchu:

Cardamom:

Carnation:

Cassie:

Cassis: (Black Currant Bud):

Cedarwood:

Chamomile:

Cinnamon:

Clary Sage:

Clove:

Coriander:

Costus:

Coumarin:

Cumin:

Cyclamen:

Eucalyptus:

Fenugreek:

Frangipani:

Frankincense:

Galbanum:

Gardenia:

Geranium:

Ginger:

Grapefruit:

Honeysuckle:

Hyacinth:

Incense:

Jonquil:

Labdanum:

Leather:

Lemon:

Lilac:

Lily of the Valley:

Magnolia:

Moss:

Myrtle:

Olibanum: (Frankincense)

Opopanax:

Orange:

Orris:

Osmanthus:

Patchouli:

Pepper:

Petitgrain:

Pine:

Rose:

Rosemary:

Rosewood:

Sage:

Sandalwood:

Styrax:

Sweet Pea:

Tagetes:

Thyme:

Vanillin:

Violet:

Synthetic Materials:

Aldehydes: Organic chemicals. Have a variety of different scents from florals to woody, and are often used as top notes. They aid the fragrance in its lasting ability.

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