Tagetes essential oil has a strong, warm, sweet-herbaceous, distinctive ketonic (pungent) aroma with a very powerful fruity undertone, reminiscent of green apple. Despite its unusual pungency, Tagetes essential oil is used extensively in French perfumes, although in minimal amounts. About 1 kilo of Tagetes oil is produced from about 700 kilos of stems and leaves.[1]

Tagetes minuta var bipinnata is a perennial herb native to the temperate grasslands and mountainous regions of southern South America; it is also cultivated in Madagascar. A member of the Asteraceae family, Tagetes is a variety of marigold, however it should not be confused with the more commonly known Calendula officinalis, or pot marigold, that has very different properties and applications.

Tagetes essential oil contains about 47% ketones - accounting for its intense aroma. The oil is also rich in many secondary compounds, including monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, oxides and phenols that give it a broad range of activity. Formulators may find it useful in targeted skincare preparations, such as foot oils and lotions, however, due to its high risk of phototoxicity, the maximum dermal use level is quite low  (0.01%).[2]  Tagetes blends well with florals, woods and citrus oils.