Cedarwood oil terpenes (CAS 68608-32-2) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Woody · Balsamic

Cedarwood oil terpenes

CAS 68608-32-2

Origin
natural
Note
Base
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Cedarwood oil terpenes?

Cedarwood oil terpenes are natural compounds found in cedar trees, commonly used in perfumes, candles, and aromatherapy. They impart a warm, woody scent that evokes forest landscapes. These terpenes matter because they provide longevity to fragrances and have calming properties, making them popular in wellness products.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ Safe in regulated products
⚠ Potential skin sensitivity in high concentrations
CAS
68608-32-2
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Balsamic
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Cedarwood oil terpenes Smell Like?

Cedarwood oil terpenes open with crisp, resinous top notes reminiscent of freshly cut timber. The heart reveals a dry, slightly smoky character with hints of pencil shavings and distant campfires. Dry-down is a persistent woody base with subtle vanilla-like sweetness, creating a comforting aura. The scent evolves from sharp to rounded, like walking from a sunlit grove into a shadowy cedar cabin.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Terre d'Hermès(Hermès, 2006)

Cedarwood terpenes provide the rugged backbone, blending with flint and citrus to create a modern masculine landscape.

Tam Dao(Diptyque, 2003)

Here they amplify sandalwood’s creaminess while adding structural dryness, evoking Buddhist temple woods.

Layer 2

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Cedarwood terpenes primarily consist of sesquiterpenes like α-cedrene and thujopsene. These C15 hydrocarbons are biosynthesized via the mevalonate pathway in cedar heartwood. Industrial extraction uses steam distillation of wood chips, yielding an oil that fractionates into various terpene isolates. Their chirality contributes to scent nuances – (+)-α-cedrene smells sharper than its (-)-enantiomer.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearanceClear to pale yellow liquid
Boiling Point260-290°C
Density0.945-0.965 g/cm³

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Base
Volatility
Low (6+ hours)
Blending
Excellent
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance5-15%Up to 20%Adds woody depth and fixative properties
Functional Fragrance1-3%Up to 5%Used in soaps and detergents for masculine notes

Classic Accords

+ Vanilla + Amber = Oriental + Vetiver + Patchouli = Woody Chypre

Tip: Combine with citrus top notes to prevent heaviness in summer formulations.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Virginia Cedarwood CAS 8000-27-9

Softer profile with less smokiness, preferred for feminine fragrances requiring smoother wood notes.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

No restrictions under current IFRA standards (as of Amendment 49).

EU Allergen Declaration

Not listed in EU allergen regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.

GHS Classification

H315 Skin irritation H319 Eye irritation

RIFM Assessment

RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels.

Sustainability

Responsibly harvested from managed cedar forests in Texas and Morocco. Steam distillation has lower environmental impact than solvent extraction. Synthetic alternatives exist but lack natural complexity.

Explore Cedarwood oil terpenes

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References

  1. PubChem: Cedarwood oil terpenes PubChem CID
  2. IFRA Standards Library IFRA 49

Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 68608-32-2

Odor & Flavor

These terpenes may be prepared synthetically, but the natural product is prepared from distillation of cedarwood. It is found in nature in the a- and b-forms.📖 Fenaroli

Regulatory Status

IOFI ClassificationNatural📖 Fenaroli
Data Sources & Attribution
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.

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