Patchouli
Pogostemon cablinA mint-family herb widely cultivated in Indonesia; its dried leaves and stems are distilled for their oil.
In perfumery, it adds earthy, woody depth, often with mossy nuances.
Bergamot
Citrus bergamiaA citrus fruit grown especially in Calabria, Italy; its fragrant peel is cold-pressed for oil.
In perfumery, it adds bright citrus freshness with delicate floral and herbal nuances.
Vetiver
Chrysopogon zizanioidesA tropical grass cultivated in Haiti and elsewhere; its aromatic roots are distilled for oil.
In perfumery, it adds earthy, woody depth, with nuances that can range from grapefruit-like to smoky.
Lemon
Citrus limonA citrus fruit cultivated in Spain and elsewhere; its fragrant peel is cold-pressed for oil.
In perfumery, it adds bright, zesty freshness with juicy, tart nuances.
Cardamom
Elettaria cardamomumA spice native to southwestern India and cultivated in Guatemala; oil is distilled from its aromatic seeds.
In perfumery, it adds fresh, aromatic spice with green and citrus-like nuances.
Tonka Bean
Dipteryx odorataThe fragrant seed of a tropical South American tree, harvested in countries including Brazil and Venezuela.
In perfumery, it adds warm, almond-like sweetness with hay, vanilla and tobacco nuances.
Black Pepper
Piper nigrumThe dried berries of a climbing vine grown in India, Madagascar and other tropical regions; they are distilled for oil.
In perfumery, it adds lively spice with fresh citrus nuances and a woody undertone.
Ginger
Zingiber officinaleA tropical plant cultivated in Madagascar and elsewhere; its aromatic underground stem, or rhizome, is distilled for oil.
In perfumery, it adds fresh, lively spice with zesty citrus and woody nuances.
Mandarin
Citrus reticulataA citrus fruit cultivated in Italy and other warm regions; its aromatic peel is cold-pressed for oil.
In perfumery, it adds sweet, zesty citrus freshness with fruity and floral nuances.
Grapefruit
Citrus paradisiA citrus fruit grown in countries including Mexico and the United States; its peel is cold-pressed for oil.
In perfumery, it adds sparkling citrus freshness with a juicy, pleasantly bitter edge.
Ylang-Ylang
Cananga odorataA tropical tree cultivated in Madagascar and elsewhere; its fragrant flowers are distilled for oil.
In perfumery, it adds rich floral warmth with fruity, spicy and creamy nuances.
Lavender
Lavandula angustifoliaAn aromatic herb cultivated in France and elsewhere; its flowering stems are distilled for oil.
In perfumery, it brings fresh herbal and floral notes with a cool, lightly camphor-like edge.
Clary Sage
Salvia sclareaAn aromatic plant cultivated in France and elsewhere; its stems and flowers are distilled for oil.
In perfumery, it adds warm herbal character with lavender-like, tea and hay nuances.
Nutmeg
Myristica fragransThe aromatic seed of a tropical tree grown in Sri Lanka and elsewhere; it is distilled for oil.
In perfumery, it brings warm spice with citrus freshness and a woody undertone.
Davana
Artemisia pallensAn aromatic herb cultivated in India and distilled for its fragrant oil.
In perfumery, it adds a sweet, liqueur-like fruitiness with apricot and warm hay nuances.
Neroli
Citrus aurantiumAn essential oil distilled from bitter-orange blossoms, produced in countries including Tunisia.
In perfumery, it brings fresh white-floral character with a bright green edge.
Orange Blossom
Citrus aurantiumThe fragrant flowers of the bitter-orange tree, grown in Morocco and elsewhere; extraction yields orange-blossom absolute.
In perfumery, the absolute adds rich floral warmth with honeyed and fruity nuances.
Tuberose
Polianthes tuberosaA flowering plant native to Mexico and cultivated in India; its fragrant flowers are extracted for perfumery.
In perfumery, it adds full-bodied floral richness with green, spicy and coconut-like nuances.
Osmanthus
Osmanthus fragransA flowering plant cultivated in China; its small, fragrant blossoms are extracted to make an absolute.
In perfumery, it brings apricot-like fruitiness with floral, tea and leather nuances.
Labdanum
Cistus ladaniferA fragrant resin from rockrose shrubs, collected in Spain and elsewhere and extracted for perfumery.
In perfumery, it adds deep amber warmth with resinous, leathery and softly smoky facets.
Benzoin
Styrax speciesAn aromatic tree resin from Southeast Asia; Siam and Sumatra benzoin come from different Styrax species.
In perfumery, it adds sweet, vanilla-like warmth with powdery and resinous nuances.
Myrrh
Commiphora myrrhaAn aromatic gum-resin harvested in eastern Africa; it can be distilled or extracted for perfumery.
In perfumery, it adds warm resinous depth with spicy and liquorice-like nuances.
Elemi
Canarium luzonicumAn aromatic gum-resin sourced from trees in the Philippines and distilled for oil.
In perfumery, it brings peppery spice and citrus freshness over woody, incense-like nuances.
Vanilla
Vanilla speciesNatural vanilla comes from the cured fruit pods of tropical orchids, grown in Madagascar and elsewhere.
In perfumery, its note brings warm sweetness, with natural extracts also offering powdery, spicy and leathery nuances.
Saffron
Crocus sativusA spice made from the dried red stigmas of saffron crocus flowers, cultivated in Iran and elsewhere.
In perfumery, saffron effects add warm spice and suede-like depth; aroma molecules can also recreate the note.
Frankincense
Boswellia speciesAlso called olibanum, this aromatic tree resin is harvested in regions including Oman and the Horn of Africa.
In perfumery, its oil adds resinous incense character with peppery spice and bright citrus facets.
Rose
Rosa species and hybridsPerfumery roses include Damask rose and rose de mai, cultivated in Turkey, Tunisia and elsewhere for their fragrant flowers.
In perfumery, rose brings floral richness, with nuances ranging from fresh green petals to honey, fruit and spice.
Jasmine
Jasminum speciesFragrant flowers used to make absolutes; perfumery sources include grandiflorum jasmine from Egypt and sambac jasmine from India.
In perfumery, jasmine adds rich floral warmth with green, fruity and spicy nuances; its character varies with the species and extract.
Pink Pepper
Schinus speciesAromatic berries from Schinus trees; perfumery sources include Schinus terebinthifolius from Madagascar and Schinus molle from Peru.
In perfumery, it adds lively peppery spice with citrus freshness and woody, resinous undertones.
Orris / Iris
Iris pallida and Iris germanicaOrris comes from iris rhizomes—underground stems—grown in Italy, France and elsewhere, then processed for perfumery.
In perfumery, it gives a soft, powdery floral character with violet-like facets and woody depth.
Clove
Syzygium aromaticumThe aromatic flower buds of a tropical tree, grown in Madagascar and elsewhere and distilled for oil.
In perfumery, it brings warm, sweet spice with woody, powdery and lightly smoky nuances.
Sandalwood
Santalum speciesFragrant wood from several Santalum species; oil is distilled from wood and roots, with sources including Australia and New Caledonia.
In perfumery, it adds smooth woody depth with creamy, milky facets; the balance varies with the species.
Oakmoss
Evernia prunastriA lichen collected in regions including the Balkans and extracted to make a perfumery absolute.
In perfumery, it adds mossy, earthy depth with leathery, balsamic and softly smoky nuances.
Geranium
Pelargonium species and hybridsIn perfumery, geranium oil comes from aromatic pelargoniums grown in Egypt and elsewhere; their leaves and stems are distilled.
It brings a rosy floral character with fresh green, herbal and minty nuances.
Cedarwood
Cedrus and Juniperus speciesCedarwood oils come from different trees: Atlas cedar in Morocco and Virginia cedar, a juniper, in the United States are two sources.
In perfumery, they add dry woody structure, with resinous or balsamic nuances that vary by source.
Ambrette
Abelmoschus moschatusA tropical plant grown in Peru, Ecuador and elsewhere; its aromatic seeds are processed for their musky fragrance.
In perfumery, it adds soft musk character with fruity, liqueur-like and powdery iris-like nuances.
Orange
Citrus speciesOrange notes can evoke sweet or bitter varieties. Their fragrant peel supplies oils used in perfumery.
They bring citrus brightness to a fragrance, ranging from juicy sweetness to a drier, bitter freshness.
Juniper Berry
Juniperus communisThe aromatic, berry-like cones of common juniper, collected in the Balkans and elsewhere and distilled for oil.
In perfumery, it adds a fresh gin-like, coniferous character with green spice and woody, resinous depth.
Coriander Seed
Coriandrum sativumAn aromatic spice from a Mediterranean herb grown in France and elsewhere; its dried fruits, commonly called seeds, are distilled for oil.
In perfumery, the oil adds fresh aromatic spice with floral, lemon-like and woody nuances.
Amber
Perfumery accordA warm scent accord—a blend of materials—traditionally built around labdanum, benzoin and vanilla rather than the amber gemstone.
In perfumery, it adds sweet, resinous warmth and depth; each perfumer can give the accord a different balance.
Musk
Fragrance familyA family of scents ranging from soft and powdery to warm and animalic. Modern perfumes commonly use manufactured musk materials.
Perfumers use musks to soften and round a composition, adding body and a lingering, skin-like warmth.
White Musk
Fragrance familyA term for clean-smelling musk materials and blends that recall freshly washed fabric; it does not identify one ingredient.
In perfumery, white musks add a soft, airy cushion and help a fragrance leave a gentle, lasting trail.
Leather
Perfumery accordA leather accord is a blend of fragrance materials evoking leather. Smoky birch-tar notes are one possible building block.
Leather accords add smoky, dry or animalic depth, and can create a striking contrast with flowers.
Incense
Scent impressionA broad note inspired by aromatic materials burned for fragrance, including resins, woods and spices. It can refer to frankincense or a blend.
In perfume, incense adds resinous richness and atmosphere, ranging from bright and woody to dark and smoky.
Oud
Material & scent impressionNatural oud oil is distilled from fragrant, resin-rich agarwood; Aquilaria trees grown in Thailand are one source.
Its scent can bring deep woody, smoky, leathery and animalic facets. A listed oud note alone does not confirm natural oud oil in the formula.
Ambergris
Material & scent impressionA waxy material formed in the digestive tract of sperm whales and changed by exposure to sea and air; it has a long perfumery history.
Today its character is often evoked with manufactured materials, adding musky, woody warmth and a lingering drydown. A note listing does not establish natural ambergris content.
Iso E Super
Aroma materialA manufactured fragrance material from IFF, known for a smooth woody-amber scent with a velvety feel.
Perfumers use it to add fullness and subtle strength while keeping a composition spacious and transparent.
Vetiver Acetate
Aroma materialAlso called vetiveryl acetate, this vetiver-derived perfumery material has a dry, gently sweet character.
It contributes a light woody-amber effect, helping build structure without the full earthy character of vetiver oil.
Civettone
Aroma moleculeA musk molecule made by synthesis for perfumery and used to recreate aspects of civet scent.
It adds lasting musky warmth and animalic depth, and can enrich amber compositions.
Firsantol
Aroma moleculeA manufactured fragrance molecule from dsm-firmenich, developed to give a powerful sandalwood-like scent.
It brings a persistent woody sandalwood character to the heart and drydown of a fragrance.
Ambrox Super
Aroma materialA dsm-firmenich fragrance material inspired by ambergris, produced using biotechnology.
It adds a powerful ambery character with woody and musky facets, giving warmth that persists through the drydown.
Ambroxan
Aroma materialAn ambergris-inspired aroma material that can be produced from sclareol, a constituent of clary sage.
In perfumery, it adds dry woody, ambery and mineral facets with a persistent trail.
Cashmeran
Aroma moleculeA manufactured fragrance molecule from IFF with a complex woody, spicy and musky character.
Its powdery, velvety effect adds texture and depth to woody, ambery and floral compositions.
Fig
Perfumery accordA fig accord is a blend of fragrance materials evoking the tree, combining green leaf impressions with milky, fruity sweetness.
Perfumers balance its leafy freshness and creamy richness to connect fruits, flowers and woods.
Coconut
Perfumery accordA sweet, creamy scent accord (a blend of fragrance materials) recalling coconut flesh or milk. Lactonic notes—a family of milky-smelling effects—help create that impression.
It brings tropical warmth and a rounded texture, pairing naturally with floral, fig and woody notes.
Violet
Floral scent impressionThe soft, powdery scent of violet flowers is commonly recreated with aroma materials called ionones. Violet leaf is a different, greener note.
In perfumery, violet gives the heart a gentle floral sweetness, often with woody or fruity nuances.
Moss
Scent familyA broad perfumery note that may involve oakmoss, treemoss or manufactured mossy materials; the name alone does not specify which.
It adds dry, green depth and a forest-like character, especially in classic chypre and aromatic fougère styles.
Grass
Green scent impressionA green scent impression evoking grass, often built with aroma materials rather than a literal grass extract.
Perfumers use grassy notes to suggest open landscapes and give floral or woody blends a freshly green edge.
Gardenia
Floral scent impressionA lush white-flower scent often recreated as an accord (a blend of fragrance materials). D.S. & Durga developed its interpretation by studying a living gardenia.
It brings a creamy tropical floral character with a rich, layered feel.
Rosemary
Botanical materialAn aromatic Mediterranean shrub; its flowering tops are distilled for oil, with Morocco among the sources.
It adds a brisk herbal, camphor-like freshness that complements spicy and woody notes.
Cinnamon
Botanical materialCinnamon is an aromatic bark spice. Sri Lankan cinnamon bark is one source of the oils used in perfumery.
Its spicy character adds warmth, with woody and powdery nuances; the balance depends on the material.
Cinnamon Leaf
Botanical materialCinnamon trees also supply fragrant leaves, distilled for oil in Sri Lanka; this is a different material from bark oil.
The leaf oil adds an aromatic, spicy effect with a pronounced eugenol character, reminiscent of clove.
Eucalyptus
Botanical materialEucalyptus leaves supply fragrant oils; blue gum, Eucalyptus globulus, is one perfumery source.
Its oil brings a rising aromatic freshness with a camphor-like edge, useful for crisp green effects.
Cypress
Botanical materialCypress can refer to several conifers. One perfumery oil comes from the twigs and leaves of Cupressus sempervirens grown in France.
That oil adds pine-like, leafy freshness with peppery, woody and resinous facets.
Guaiac Wood
Botanical materialA fragrant wood used for distilled perfumery oils; Bulnesia sarmienti from Paraguay is one commercial source.
It adds woody depth with smoky, spicy and softly balsamic nuances.
Cypriol
Botanical materialCypriol oil is distilled from the sedge Cyperus scariosus; refined versions are also made for perfumery.
It adds persistent, dry woody depth with earthy, leathery and animalic facets.
Fir Balsam
Botanical materialBalsam fir is a North American conifer. Its needles yield a perfumery absolute, with Canada among the sources.
The absolute adds soft warmth and depth to pine-like and dry woody compositions.
Hay
Botanical materialDried grass can be extracted into a fragrant absolute, produced in France for perfumery.
It adds sweet herbal warmth, recalling tobacco, honey and dried fruit.
Immortelle
Botanical materialThe flowers of Helichrysum italicum are extracted for perfumery, with Serbia among the sources.
Its absolute brings a warm hay-and-tobacco character with dried-fruit, liqueur-like and ambery nuances.
Maté
Botanical materialThe leaves of the South American plant Ilex paraguariensis can be extracted into a perfumery absolute.
It brings a warm herbal, green-tea character with softer hay, tobacco and powdery floral facets.
Tobacco
Material & scent impressionTobacco is a leaf-inspired note; natural perfumery absolutes are made from Nicotiana tabacum.
Its character can be woody and hay-like, adding warm depth to amber blends without necessarily smelling of burning smoke.
Violet Leaf
Botanical materialLeaves of Viola odorata are extracted for perfumery, with Egypt among the sources. This is distinct from the violet-flower note.
The absolute adds leafy, watery green freshness, developing mossy and leathery nuances.
Galbanum
Botanical materialA fragrant gum from Ferula plants, sourced in Iran and processed into perfumery extracts.
It adds a powerful, bitter-green effect with resinous, spicy and woody facets.
Carrot Seed
Botanical materialThe aromatic seeds of Daucus carota are distilled for perfumery, with France among the sources.
The oil adds an earthy, spicy character with surprising fruity, apricot-like nuances.
Bran
Botanical materialThe outer layers of wheat grains can be extracted into a perfumery absolute, with Morocco among the sources.
It adds a lasting sweetness recalling biscuits, honey and hay, enriching edible-smelling compositions.
Petitgrain
Botanical materialPetitgrain bigarade is distilled from bitter-orange leaves and twigs; Paraguay is an important source.
It adds green, herbal and woody freshness with orange-blossom nuances, often linking citrus with floral notes.
Peru Balsam
Botanical materialA fragrant balsam from Myroxylon trees, sourced in El Salvador for perfumery despite its familiar name.
It adds rich, powdery sweetness with vanilla, cinnamon and amber-like warmth.
Styrax
Botanical materialIn perfumery, styrax can refer to balsam from Liquidambar trees; Honduras supplies one commercial source.
Its extracts add resinous warmth with leather, cinnamon and subtle floral or animalic facets.
Akigalawood
Biotechnology-derived materialA Givaudan perfumery material produced by transforming patchouli oil with enzymes; the name does not identify a tree.
It brings a radiant woody-spicy character with pepper, patchouli and agarwood-like facets.
Hedione
Aroma moleculeA manufactured floral molecule from dsm-firmenich, with a delicate jasmine-like scent and a fresh citrus nuance.
It helps floral notes feel airy and radiant, increasing their presence without necessarily making them heavier or stronger.
Methyl Laitone
Aroma moleculeA Givaudan aroma material with a creamy, milky character and coconut-like nuances.
Perfumers use it to give body to white flowers and fruit notes, and milkiness to sandalwood blends.
Lily of the Valley
Floral accordAlso called muguet, this fresh floral scent is usually recreated as an accord: a blend of materials forming one scent impression.
Its green, sweet, lightly lemony character helps freshen and open up other floral notes.
Peony
Floral scent impressionA soft, fresh floral note inspired by peony blossoms, often described through rosy petals and watery green nuances.
It adds a light floral fullness and pairs especially well with rose; its precise character varies by perfume.
Lychee
Fruity scent impressionA fruit-inspired note combining tart sweetness with delicate rosy floral nuances.
It gives fruity-floral perfumes a juicy lift; in Cowgirl Grass, D.S. & Durga pairs it with bergamot, peony and geranium.
Milky Notes
Scent impression / accordA creamy scent impression often built as an accord: a blend of fragrance materials. Milky-smelling lactones can help create the effect.
These materials can soften woods, enrich white flowers and give fruity or edible-smelling notes a rounded texture.
Pear
Fruity scent impressionA crisp, gently green fruit note inspired by ripe pear; a note listing describes the scent rather than a particular extract.
It adds light, juicy freshness and pairs especially well with white-floral notes.
Peach
Fruity scent impressionA soft, nectar-like fruit note. Perfumers can recreate its character with aroma materials rather than peach juice.
It lends a velvety, almost creamy texture and gentle fruity sweetness to a composition.
Apple
Fruity scent impressionA fruit-inspired note recalling the crisp, juicy character of a freshly bitten apple.
It gives fruity and floral compositions a fresh, mouthwatering lift; green-apple interpretations emphasize a sharper impression.
Raspberry
Fruity scent impressionA tangy, sweet berry note commonly recreated with aroma materials; it can range from tart fruit to lush sweetness.
Perfumers use it to enrich fruity-floral blends, especially alongside rose and jasmine.
Blackcurrant
Fruity scent impressionAlso called cassis, this berry-inspired note has a tart, sweet character. It is distinct from a specifically listed blackcurrant-bud extract.
It can brighten white flowers and add fruity roundness alongside woods or amber.
Blackcurrant Bud
Botanical materialThe buds of Ribes nigrum are harvested in winter and extracted for perfumery, notably in Burgundy, France.
The absolute brings vivid green fruitiness with sulphurous, rosy facets, enlivening rose and red-fruit blends.
Tea
Material & scent impressionA note inspired by Camellia sinensis leaves. Perfumers may use tea extracts or compose an impression of brewed tea.
Tea notes lend a light, refreshing character; black, green and white tea interpretations vary with the perfume.
Heliotrope
Floral scent impressionA sweet, powdery floral note often recreated with aroma materials, recalling almond and vanilla.
It adds a soft cosmetic-powder effect beside violet or iris, and an almond-like sweetness in edible-smelling perfumes.
Almond
Nutty scent impressionA nut-inspired note that can suggest marzipan, with creamy sweetness and a bitter-almond edge.
It adds a rounded, edible-smelling character, often offering a nuttier alternative to vanilla sweetness.
Suede
Perfumery accordA soft leather accord: a blend of fragrance materials designed to evoke suede’s texture.
It adds a velvety, enveloping effect with musky, woody and leathery nuances.
Freesia
Floral accordIn perfumery, freesia is commonly recreated as an accord: a blend of materials evoking the flower’s airy scent.
It brings fresh, green floral sweetness with citrus-like nuances, complementing peony and lily of the valley.
Aldehydes
Aroma-material familyA family of aroma materials rather than one ingredient; their scents can be citrus-like, waxy, metallic or clean.
Perfumers use selected aldehydes to give a composition a bright, sparkling lift and a distinctive sense of diffusion.
