Oakmoss Absolute


Details

  • Botanical Name: Evernia prunastri L.
  • Origin: Manufactured in France
  • Process: Solvent Extracted Absolute
  • Plant Part: Lichen
  • Cultivation: Wild Harvested
  • Use: Natural Perfumery. Always dilute.
  • Note: Base Note, Excellent Fixative. Low Atranol (IFRA compliant)
  • Aroma Family: Earthy
  • Aroma: Dry, earthy, bark and pine-like top notes over smooth, rich notes of moss, wood, decaying leaf, fungus, lichen, and damp earth notes; deep, mysterious, evocative, and an excellent fixative with tremendous tenacity.
  • Contraindications: Avoid use on sensitive skin; please see Safety Considerations below.



Product Name SKU Price Qty
  1. Oakmoss Absolute 2 grams 675-002
    $12.75
  2. Oakmoss Absolute 5 grams 675-005
    $24.00
  3. Oakmoss Absolute 15 grams 675-015
    $57.00
  4. Oakmoss Absolute 50 grams 675-9
    $151.00
  5. Oakmoss Absolute 100 grams 675-10
    $269.75
  6. Oakmoss Absolute 200 grams 675-11
    $483.25

    Call

  7. Oakmoss Absolute 500 grams 675-12
    $1,061.50

    Call

  8. For larger sizes or quantities please contact us for pricing and availability.         

Overview

Oakmoss Absolute – IFRA Compliant

The aroma of our very fine Oakmoss Absolute has dry, earthy, bark and pine-like top notes over smooth, rich notes of moss, wood, decaying leaf, fungus, lichen, and damp earth notes. Deep, mysterious, and evocative, Oakmoss is an excellent fixative with tremendous tenacity. Until recently, Oakmoss Absolutes have contained potential allergens with a high risk of skin sensitization; ours is extracted in France, contains a low percentage of atranol (a known contact allergen) and meets international standards. Most Oakmoss extracts are now currently restricted for use by the IFRA – the International Fragrance Association – but ours is IFRA-compliant; a conformity certificate is available upon request. The absolute is solvent and alcohol extracted from Evernia prunastri, a lichen that grows on mostly oak trees.1

As one customer review states, our Oakmoss Absolute conveys the aroma of a faerie wood – an apt phrase to describe the mysterious menagerie of moss, wood, decaying leaf, fungus, lichen, and damp earth notes that lend body, naturalness and excellent fixative value to almost all types of base note accords in perfumery.

Oakmoss Absolute is soluble in alcohol and only partially soluble in fixed (carrier) oils.2 It imparts its aroma to fixed oils by gently heating both absolute and carrier oil separately before combining. While warm, the Oakmoss will move through the fixed oil as the bottle is tipped, shaken, etc., as it cools, the insoluble material will precipitate to the bottom, leaving a highly aromatic portion that will clarify upon standing (this may take several weeks or longer). Please also see special use instructions to blend.

PLEASE NOTE: Oakmoss Absolute is intended for use in perfumery only.

For information regarding the use of Oakmoss Absolute in perfumery, please see:

  • Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, Steffen Arctander, 1960, pp. 451-2.
  • Artisan Perfumery or Being Led by the Nose, Alec Lawless, 2009, p. 82.
  • Fragrance and Wellbeing , Jennifer Peace Rhind, 2014, pp. 273-4.
  • Listening to Scent – An Olfactory Journey with Aromatic Plants and Their Extracts, Jennifer Peace Rhind, 2016, p. 85.
  • Perfumes of Yesterday, D G Williams, 2004, pp. 138-9.
  • "Oakmoss," Marina Milojević at Fragrantica, https://www.fragrantica.com/notes/Oakmoss-39.html
  • Various Oakmoss-related blog articles, Ayala Moriel in Smellyblog, http://ayalasmellyblog.blogspot.com/search?q=oakmoss

Aromatic Profile: Dry, earthy, bark and pine-like top notes over smooth, rich notes of moss, wood, decaying leaf, fungus, lichen, and damp earth notes; deep, mysterious, evocative and an excellent fixative with tremendous tenacity.


Appearance: Very dark greenish/brown, semi-solid, pliable mass that must be slowly heated to become pourable. Oakmoss Absolute is soluble in alcohol, and only partially soluble in fixed (carrier) oils. It imparts its aroma to fixed oils by gently heating both absolute and carrier oil separately before combining. While warm, the Oakmoss will move through the fixed oil as the bottle is tipped, shaken, etc., as it cools, the insoluble material will precipitate to the bottom, leaving a highly aromatic portion that will clarify upon standing (this may take several weeks or longer). Please also see special use instructions to blend.


Use: Natural Perfumery.


Blending Suggestions: Essential Oils, Absolutes and CO2 extracts are highly concentrated. For safety reasons, they must be diluted before use – this is standard protocol for aromatherapy and perfumery purposes. For how much to dilute, please see Dilution Solutions. This product is soluble in alcohol and partially soluble in fixed (carrier) oils; not soluble in water. For guidance on how to incorporate this product into the carrier of your choice, please see our FAQs section.


Blends Well With: Agarwood, Ambrette, Angelica, Benzoin, Bergamot, Black Currant Bud, Boronia, Carnation, Cassie, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Cistus, Clary Sage, Clove, Frankincense, Geranium, Galbanum, Grapefruit, Hay, Helichrysum, Jasmine, Juniper, Labdanum, Laurel Leaf, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Liquidambar, Litsea Cubeba, Mandarin, Myrrh, Neroli, Orange (Bitter), Orange Blossom, Orris, Osmanthus, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Rose, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Seaweed, Tarragon, Tobacco, Tonka Bean, Tuberose, Vanilla, Vetiver, Violet Leaf, Ylang Ylang. In small amounts, Oakmoss Absolute "lends body and naturalness, rich pleasant undertones and high fixative value… and forms an important part of the notes in all fougère, chypre or moss perfumes."3


Safety Considerations: Possible skin sensitization, therefore a maximum dermal use level of 0.1% is recommended; avoid use on sensitive, diseased or damaged skin and on children less than 2 years old.4 Dilute before using. A patch test should be performed before use for those with sensitive skin.


1 Rhind, Jennifer Peace. Fragrance and Wellbeing, 2014, p. 273.

2 Industry communication.

3 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, p. 448.

4 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed., 2014, p. 368.


The FDA has not evaluated the statements on this website. No claims are made by Eden Botanicals as to the medicinal value of any products from Eden Botanicals. The information presented here is for educating our customers about the traditional uses of essential oils and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You are responsible for understanding the safe application of these products. If you have any questions, please call or email us for further information.

Oakmoss Absolute

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  • Oakmoss Absolute

Customer Reviews for Oakmoss Absolute

One of my favorites Review by
Rating
5
This oakmoss absolute is simply beautiful, rich, earthy, damp moss and woods. I dilute to 10% by weight with Everclear though it takes a bit of time. It is a very good fixative and adds depth to blends, even florals.
(Posted on 1/7/2020)
Not sure Review by
Rating
3
By itself it has that smoked wood smell, but occasionally when I add it to blends, it makes the blend smell "fishy" and ruins the blend. I thought it was something I did wrong in the blend, but I just tried it again and found it very unappealing. Could it be the way I'm diluting the absolute? Because I'm a natural perfumer, I use 190 proof Everclear. Any suggestion would be helpful.

A customer responds to Erica:
Dear Erica,
190 proof everclear is 92.4% alcohol and might interfere (i.e muddy) the final product. With that in mind, in your situation, I would say dilute it to 10% or 1% with perfumer alcohol or different carrier. Maybe almond oil or jojoba? Personally, and this might seem wild, but Pomegranate gave it an interesting profile and made it into something for my girlfriend. Experiment with it drop by different carrier drop.

Maybe it's just way too dominate and may need a couple days to macerate (settle down) before being reintroduced to the product. I can't fully comment on the variability of Oakmoss, because I'm unsure of the handling and other components mixed into oakmoss. Be patient, try again, and have fun!
(Posted on 12/26/2018)
Intial Review by
Rating
5
Just with a small whiff from the bottle I can tell this is what I was looking for! Smokey, leathery, earth notes, very dirty but in the good way. I'm a oud 27 addict and this alone seems like a big part of le labos oud fragrance it's absolutely amazing. I want to just hold it at my nose all day. If you're looking for a dark damp leathery smoke scent this is it! Again perfect Eden.
(Posted on 12/6/2018)
incredible, consistant quality! Review by
Rating
5
I ordered a small bottle of this oakmoss about two years ago, and it smells exactly the same today! Damp moss, magical woodlands, a little bit sweet and a little bit leafy. Absolutely love that this is IRFA compliant! Well worth the largest size bottle possible, I will be picking one up very soon and I suggest you do the same.
(Posted on 9/28/2017)
Smells different Review by
Rating
5
The oakmoss I just received smells much different than when I previously ordered some a while back and even that was the IFRA compliant version, and I mean that in a very good way. This one smells more green and earthy, like true oakmoss, whereas the previous version smelled more like musk.
(Posted on 8/29/2016)
Indispensable! Review by
Rating
5
Of all the EB offerings I have diluted into drams for blind "nose" practice, this is the one that has most often made me pause and go, "Now what IS that?" After about ten seconds: "Ah, yes. Oakmoss." Easily recognizable in a blend it but on its own it throws me in a sly way, and all I can think is, "This is not a flower. This is not a wood. This is its own thing." Disarmingly classic in that sense. So glad I understand now how fundamental this little lichen has been to so much of perfumery, and while I have not smelled other oakmoss absolutes I trust that EB's offering is true to their beautifully high standards. This is a deep, dark, stately fixative and oh so evocative of a "faerie wood" when in a blend with Agarwood CO2. I have ordered more so I can focus on learning the craft of that universally appealing chypre. :)
(Posted on 8/26/2016)
Oakmoss Politics Review by
Rating
5
I've been doing some reading about the brouhaha about the restrictions on the use of oakmoss in European fragrances. A wonderful parfumier in Switzerland has opined about the ill-advisedness of such prohibitions when climate change, tobacco and alcohol and gasoline overuse get a free pass. (I don't remember ever hearing about anyone dying from wearing Joy, for instance.). It seems like the Northern European commerce people are trying to restrict the olfactory power and finances of the lush, creative, temperate Southern Europeans. Figures. Another reason to break up the EU! It used to be if one was allergic to an ingredient, he stayed away from it. Such discretionary products such as fragrances with oakmoss should not be restricted as if they were non-discretionary (like core foods such as meat, eggs, milk, vegetable quality). This pandering to the lowest common denominator is killing creativity, quality, and joy -- much as it has in politics, environmentalism, and education. Just my two cents'.
(Posted on 6/6/2015)
Excellent aroma - Caution still needed Review by
Rating
5
I have been using this reduced atranol Oakmoss absolute for some time now and I enjoy the aroma a great deal. Despite being "IFRA-compliant" it is important to know that the absolute still contains atranol and chloroatranol (jsut at lower levels), both of which are skin-sensitizing. Safety requires that one continue to adhere to recommended safe levels in formula (0.1% of finished product) to avoid skin-sensitization.
(Posted on 4/21/2015)
The fine green! Review by
Rating
5
This on its own is an AMAZING oil. Rich, powdery, earthy to the marine level. Very nice for aquatic accords, oceanic recreations, fine woods and even leathery styles. Aromaticly a pleasure to blend with it slap on and wear by itself. I TOTALLY sense the oak/bourbon effect. It's base notes are lovely as well! Aromatherapy wise, I felt grounded and peaceful. so I guess meditation, stress releif and what ever physical effects. Either way ill be looking to buy more!
(Posted on 1/21/2015)
Sexy, Masculine - Swoon Review by
Rating
5
This is a masculine sexiness in a bottle. Earthy, rich, sensual. Using it in my masculine blends (not much more than this needed), and it is absolutely divine. Nothing else smells like it. My favorite from Eden Botanicals (and I have almost all of them).
(Posted on 11/17/2014)
Love this oak moss! Review by
Rating
5
Love this scent! Made my husband deodorant with this, vetiver, and a few others and it smells divine!
Johnathan, you must have gotten a bad batch or something! This is the BEST I have found and I have tried many companies!
(Posted on 7/31/2014)
"IRFA Compliant" kills another one. Review by
Rating
2
I spent months and several thousand dollars formulating a unique signature scent for myself, and when I was finished I ended up with something awesome. So good that I was literally dragged to market by those who smelled it. I bought this to make a large batch for that purpose, and found that the batch end result was garbage, smelling nothing like intended. It took me several days of reverse engineering to determine what went wrong. It's this oakmoss, which is "IRFA compliant". It makes the end result smell just as bland and boring as synthetic oakmoss from the very same companies that make up the IRFA. I am very disappointed, and this has been a costly lesson. To the nose, it smells very similar to what I used to formulate the cologne (natural REAL oakmoss absolute), but it's not. Beware, unless you have formulated with this or have tested it in your formula. That atranol they remove to make it "IRFA compliant" makes a big difference.
(Posted on 6/3/2014)
the best earthy oil ever Review by
Rating
5
I am a fan of earthy/ green type scents....this thick paste oil has the essence of earth with all its dark nourishing aspects. I'd recommend it to any fan of the earth family of fragrances......10 stars
(Posted on 4/2/2013)
Earthy! Review by
Rating
5
Oakmoss is the most earthly smelling thing on earth except earth itself..great for connecting to the inner self :)
(Posted on 3/26/2013)
Very concentrated absolute Review by
Rating
5
This absolute has the consistency of a very sticky paste. I have to use a needle to transfer it into my blends and it takes a few hours for it to dissolve into the solution at room temperature. I really like the smokey oak smell.
(Posted on 2/16/2013)
amazing!! Review by
Rating
5
this scent is amazing!!!!!
(Posted on 2/14/2013)
Was gifted this scent, and it is now a base to 2 of my fairy themed body sprays. Review by
Rating
5
I received this as a gift from a friend, who captured my personality in a scent perfectly. I adore the smell of deep mossy green. Goes well in a body wash, or body spray. My fiancee likes this with a bit of lemongrass!
(Posted on 2/14/2013)