Product Name

BENZOIC ACID

Chemical Name: Benzenecarboxylic Acid
CAS No.: 65-85-0

🟢 Difficulty: Advanced

⏳ Lasting: High

🌸 Note: Base

Description

Benzoic Acid is an aromatic carboxylic acid with a soft balsamic, slightly medicinal and subtly almond-like odor. It is a naturally occurring constituent associated with benzoin and other balsamic materials. JECFA identifies Benzoic Acid by CAS 65-85-0 and describes its odor as faint, with almond-like nuances.

In perfumery, Benzoic Acid is more useful as a specialized balsamic and functional material than as a prominent odor ingredient. It can contribute a subtle resinous, slightly sweet and balsamic character and is associated with the warm profile of benzoin-type compositions. Perfumery suppliers describe it as a soft balsamic material with benzoin, slightly sweet almond and balmy-floral facets.

Its low-intensity odor means it is generally better suited to balsamic bases, incense-style compositions and resinous accords than to formulas where a strong individual note is required. It can be particularly interesting when working with benzoin, vanilla, balsams and warm oriental materials.

Odor Profile

• Soft balsamic

• Almond-like

• Slightly sweet

• Resinous

• Benzoin-like

• Slightly medicinal

• Balmy

• Faintly floral

Recommended Formulation Level (Educational guideline only)

• Trace: 0.05–0.20%

• General use: 0.20–1.00%

• High-impact accords: 1.00–3.00%

These are formulation guidelines for perfumers and are not IFRA limits.

Works Well With

• Benzoin Resinoid

• Vanillin

• Ethyl Vanillin

• Benzaldehyde

• Benzyl Alcohol

• Benzyl Benzoate

• Cinnamic Acid

• Cinnamic Alcohol

• Labdanum

• Peru Balsam

• Tolu Balsam

• Coumarin

Common Applications

• Fine Fragrance

• Attars

• Balsamic Fragrance

• Oriental Fragrance

• Incense

• Candles

• Soap

• Body Care

• Home Fragrance

Perfumers' Tip

Benzoic Acid is best used as a supporting balsamic material rather than a dominant fragrance note. Evaluate it in combination with benzoin and vanillic materials to understand how its subtle almond-balsamic character contributes to the complete accord.

For a warm resinous base, combine it with benzoin, vanillin, labdanum and balsamic materials. Its relatively restrained odor makes it especially useful when you want depth without introducing another highly dominant aroma chemical.