Pine, Pinus pumila, oil (CAS 97676-05-06) — Woody Top to Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Pine, Pinus pumila, oil
CAS 97676-05-06
What Is Pine, Pinus pumila, oil?
Pine oil from Pinus pumila is a crisp, woody essential oil often found in cleaning products, air fresheners, and masculine fragrances. Its fresh forest scent evokes mountain hikes and winter mornings. This oil matters because it provides an affordable, natural way to add outdoor freshness to products without synthetic chemicals, though some people may find its intensity overwhelming.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Pine, Pinus pumila, oil Smell Like?
A brisk, resinous explosion of crushed pine needles and sappy bark with a cold, almost mentholated edge. The top note is sharply terpenic—like snapping fresh twigs—that mellows into warm, woody heart notes reminiscent of sun-warmed pine planks. Dry-down reveals faint vanillic undertones and a lingering camphoraceous quality that keeps the scent from becoming too sweet. Exceptionally tenacious for an essential oil, with good projection in the first hour before settling close to skin.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
This Italian classic uses Pinus pumila oil as its star player, capturing the essence of alpine forests with brutal honesty—no sweeteners, just crisp pine needles and dry woods that last surprisingly well on skin.
Pinus pumila oil provides the glacial top notes in this avant-garde fragrance, where its almost metallic greenness contrasts with sticky fir balsam and smoked woods to recreate a hyper-realistic Nordic forest.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Pinus pumila oil is rich in monoterpenes like α-pinene (40-60%) and δ-3-carene (15-25%), with lower amounts of limonene and bornyl acetate. The dwarf pine’s harsh growing conditions produce oil with higher sesquiterpene content than commercial pine oils, contributing to its distinctive dry-woody character. Steam distillation of needles and twigs yields 0.5-1.2% oil, with composition varying significantly by harvest season—winter distillates show increased bornyl acetate for smoother tonality.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Clear pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.86-0.92 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.465-1.480 |
| Optical Rotation | -15° to -25° |
Key Constituent Properties
| Constituent | CAS | MW | BP °C | XLogP | Vapor P. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| α-Pinene | 80-56-8 | 136.23 | 155-156 °C | 2.9 | 2.6 mmHg |
| δ-3-Carene | 13466-78-9 | 136.23 | 168-169 °C | 3.1 | 1.5 mmHg |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Use sparingly to avoid cleaner associations |
| Functional Fragrance | 3-8% | Up to 15% | Disinfectant properties valued in cleaning products |
Classic Accords
Tip: Counteract harshness with trace amounts of linalool or terpineol acetate for smoother pine character.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More affordable commercial pine oil with brighter, less woody profile—better for mass-market applications where cost matters.
Synthetic alternative when extreme tenacity is needed—boosts woody aspects without volatile terpenes that evaporate quickly.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted, but recommended maximum 20% in leave-on products due to potential sensitization from monoterpenes (IFRA 49th Amendment).
EU Allergen Declaration
Contains limonene (≥0.1%) requiring allergen labeling per EU Regulation No 1223/2009.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels, with caution for undiluted application due to dermal sensitization potential.
Sustainability
Pinus pumila grows slowly in high-altitude regions of Siberia and Mongolia, making sustainable wild harvesting challenging. Most commercial oil now comes from controlled plantations in China where trees are coppiced rather than felled. CO2 extraction of fallen needles is being explored to reduce environmental impact versus steam distillation.
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References
- Kurose K. et al. (2017). Essential oil variation in Pinus pumila. Phytochemistry. PMID 28456471
- PubChem Pinus pumila oil No CID available
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
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