Benzoin

Styrax benzoin Dryand.

(6)

Our Benzoin has a rich, intensely sweet, warm, powdery, balsamic, vanilla-like aroma, with a subtle spicy/cinnamon-like undertone. It is an effective fixative for the middle notes of perfume compositions,

Size

Selected size SKU:117-015 - Benzoin 15 ml (1/2 oz)

Sample 1 ml (1/30 oz)
$2.00
15 ml (1/2 oz)
$10.25
30 ml (1 oz)
$16.50
59.14 ml (2 oz)
$28.75
118.29 ml (4 oz)
$49.00
236.58 ml (8 oz)
$72.50
473.17 ml (16 oz)
$131.75
Out of stock
1 kg (2 1/5 lb)
$238.75
Out of stock
$2.00
Details
Solubility & Blending Suggestions
Suggested Resources
Safety Considerations
Certificates of Analysis (COA)
Documentation

Product Overview

Our Benzoin has a rich, intensely sweet, warm, powdery, balsamic, vanilla-like aroma, with a subtle spicy/cinnamon-like undertone. It is an effective fixative for the middle notes of perfume compositions, soaps, cosmetics and toiletries,[1],[2] while the raw material is used extensively in the manufacture of incense.[3] It is worthwhile to note that the addition of too much Benzoin can suppress the odor of other aromatic ingredients.[4] 'Sweet, but not sugary', 'rich but not heavy' are the reasons why perfumers prize Benzoin.[5] Please be aware that because this product is diluted with ethanol, it is not soluble in fixed (carrier/vegetal) oils or in fixed oil-based products.

Benzoin is a resinous tree in the Styracaceae family. The genus Styrax contains about 130 species of trees and shrubs occurring in tropical to temperate climates with three main areas of distribution: southeastern Asia, southeastern North America to South America, and a single species in the Mediterranean.

To harvest Benzoin resin, farmers climb up to a height of 30 feet using rope ladders where an incision is made in the bark to make it 'weep' (release) the gum. After about ten weeks this exudate forms 'tears'. Apparently simple, but physically demanding, this is a skilled technique that will soon be lost, especially as synthetic chemicals replace real Benzoin. When 7-10 years old, one tree can provide an average of up to 0.5 kilo of resin per year. As it is, the yield is very low - 1.2 kilos of tears make 1 kilo of Benzoin resinoid.[6]

PLEASE NOTE: Benzoin dilution in ethanol (30% ethanol, 70% Benzoin resin) is not soluble in fixed (carrier/vegetal) oils.

1 Lawless, Julia. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, 2013, p. 48.

2 Williams, David G. Perfumes of Yesterday, 2004, p. 9.

3 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, p. 89.

4 Curtis, Tony and David G. Williams. An Introduction to Perfumery, 2nd ed., 2009, p. 242.

5 Industry communication.

6 Naturals Compendium, International Flavors & Fragrances, 2009, p.24.

Blends Well With

4.8

6 Reviews

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Customer Reviews

not good in soap.

Rating

It's not that good in soap, but it is a GORGEOUS fixative in alcohol based perfumes. A made an amber accord with this, and it smelled more powdery and warm with it

Review by blake 3/27/2024

rich rich rich!!!!

Rating

First whiff out of the bottle, rich rich rich liquidambar! along with the liquidambar i could detect vanilla and cinnamon. A good fixative!

Review by blake 1/27/2024

benzoin

Rating

so good .Only at this about 1 year now but the oils from eden botanical divine.I am officially hooked an cannot get out

Review by Vernessa 12/1/2022

Vanilla

Rating

Sumatran Benzoin is very deep and sweet. Slight cinnamon top note but the base notes are vanilla ice cream and baby powder.

Review by Gigi 10/24/2020

Siamese Benzoin?! Close, somewhat but still independent with its own character

Rating

I had the pleasure of owning a 1/2 oz of styrax tonkinensis oil that was JUST lovely! Sheer incense! This styrax benzoin is the closest I've seen any oil remind me of that experience. If you are unsure get a sample but be sure to dilute this down as you can carry it a lot further. Almost cherry like in a sweetish kinda way, quite powdery and splendidly vanillic. Could almost see it used for a grape accord if one has other chords already in a similar taste. Would give many more stars as this made an amber I crafted very gorgeous and desirable. Highly recommend it with jasmine SAMBAC, YLANG absolute, iris, rose abs, bergamot, any other resin or ambery blends including ambergris for that benzoin acid content. Benzoyl salicylate is very soft but present to my nose, such a bonus! I imagine the right woods would be nice and the tobacco really softened these resins. Also love a good patchouli with this... Yum. Enjoy this while its here! Assuming and dismissing this as a typical cheap benzoin is a complete misfortune. If S. tonkinensis is supposed to be more violet tinged and S. Benzoin more red, I'd say this one is like purple, a little of the best of both worlds.

Review by MD 7/18/2019

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