Ambroxan is the trade name registered by Kao Corporation for the molecule (-)-Ambroxide, also known by other names such as Ambroxide, Ambrofix (Givaudan), Ambrox and Cetalox (Firmenich). Although it is the core component responsible for the characteristic scent of natural ambergris, Ambroxan today is mainly semi-synthetic or fully synthetic. It is commonly produced from sclareol extracted from clary sage, providing a renewable plant-based origin, or via biotechnology through the fermentation of sugarcane. The history of this material began in the 1950s, when chemists at Firmenich in Switzerland sought an alternative to expensive ambergris. In 1950, Max Stoll and M. Hinder identified (-)-Ambroxide as the key odorant of ambergris, then refined a synthesis route from sclareol-opening a new era for perfumery. In its pure state, Ambroxan appears as white crystalline solid or crystalline powder.
Description
Its odor is described as dry, clean, strongly woody and ambery, with a light salty, marine-mineral nuance. Although it sits in the amber/woody/“clean animalic” family, Ambroxan is not harsh when smelled neat; instead, it has exceptionally strong diffusion in the air, evoking the feel of clean skin with a soft sweetness. With lasting power on a blotter ranging from weeks to months, it functions in the base and acts as an excellent diffusive booster and odor modifier. In a perfume structure, Ambroxan provides a solid backbone that makes the overall scent fuller, smoother, longer-lasting, and more radiating, while also adding a modern, minimalist, gender-neutral effect. It is often used to recreate ambergris accords, or paired with Iso E Super as a classic duo for “skin-like” fragrances with a dry woody, highly diffusive effect. When used with citrus notes, Ambroxan helps extend longevity and makes these volatile notes feel more structured and sharper. Because it is solid, it is typically pre-diluted to 10% in solvents such as DPG, DEP, or alcohol for easier handling.
Applications
Ambroxan is highly versatile, used across men’s, women’s, and unisex fine fragrance, as well as personal-care products (body wash, shampoo, skin creams) thanks to its strong stability and low tendency to discolor formulas. It also performs extremely well on fabrics, which is why it is widely used in laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and scented candles. Usage levels are flexible: from below 1% up to around 0.5–5% in typical formulas, or even 10–20%+ in fragrance concentrates designed to showcase it. IFRA does not set a specific concentration limit for Ambroxan because it is considered very safe and low-irritant, provided good manufacturing practice is followed. For storage, keep it tightly sealed in a dry, cool, well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight.
In the market, Ambroxan underpins many bestsellers-for example Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume, built around Cetalox in alcohol; Le Labo Another 13, which uses a large amount alongside musks and oakmoss; Dior Sauvage (Eau de Toilette), where it contributes lift and a modern masculine edge; and Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540, which relies on it for diffusion and a characteristic mineral effect. Finally, in Perfume and Flavor Chemicals, Steffen Arctander described it as a powerful, dry, persistent woody-amber odor with almost no overt animalic note, carrying a subtle labdanum-like sweetness, and noted its use in fine perfumery as an odor modifier and base note for Amber, Chypre, Fougere, Woody, and Oriental accords.
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Free shipping is available for international retail orders valued at 500 USD or more.
Delivery time is 1-3 business days for local areas, 3-7 days for suburban and nationwide deliveries, and 1-4 weeks for international orders.
You have 30 days from the date of receipt to initiate the return process.
