Champaca Absolute (CAS 85085-26-3) — Floral Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient

Champaca Absolute

CAS 85085-26-3

Origin
Note
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Mar 2026

What Is Champaca Absolute?

Champaca Absolute is a luxurious floral extract derived from the golden-yellow flowers of the Michelia champaca tree, native to Southeast Asia. It’s cherished in high-end perfumery and traditional ceremonies. This ingredient matters for its rare, intoxicating floral scent that bridges tropical richness with delicate tea-like nuances, making it a prized component in niche fragrances.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Safe in regulated concentrations
Potential allergen – patch test recommended
CAS
85085-26-3
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Champaca Absolute Smell Like?

Champaca Absolute unfolds with an opulent, honeyed floral bouquet reminiscent of orange blossoms and jasmine, layered with apricot-like fruitiness. The heart reveals a creamy, almost buttery texture with subtle spicy undertones. Dry-down brings a sophisticated tea-leaf nuance and warm, woody base notes that linger elegantly. Its complexity evokes tropical gardens at dusk, with a balance between radiant sweetness and earthy depth.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Champaca Absolute(Tom Ford, 2008)

Features champaca as the star, amplified by cognac and cinnamon for a decadent, boozy floral with oriental warmth.

Joy(Jean Patou, 1930)

Champaca blends with jasmine and rose in this classic, creating one of perfumery’s most expensive floral bouquets.

Champaca(Ormonde Jayne, 2004)

Showcases champaca’s tea-like facets with black hemlock and ginger for a modern, translucent floral.

L'Air de Rien(Miller Harris, 2006)

Uses champaca’s animalic undertones to complement musk and oakmoss in this skin-like scent.

Tuberose & Champaca(Jo Malone, 2015)

Pairs champaca’s creaminess with tuberose for a lush, solar white floral composition.

Layer 2

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Champaca Absolute is a complex natural mixture containing sesquiterpenes, benzenoids, and fatty acid derivatives. Key aroma compounds include linalool, indole, and methyl anthranilate. The absolute is obtained through solvent extraction of the concrete, preserving heat-sensitive compounds that would be lost in distillation. Its golden-orange color comes from carotenoids and other lipophilic pigments co-extracted from the flowers.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearanceViscous golden-orange liquid
SolubilitySoluble in alcohol, insoluble in water

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Middle to base
Volatility
Moderate (2-6 hours)
Blending
Excellent with white florals, spices, and woods
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.5-2%Up to 5%Used sparingly due to intensity
Candles1-3%Up to 8%Provides excellent scent throw
Luxury Soaps0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Adds floral depth

Classic Accords

+ Sandalwood + Vanilla = Oriental + Jasmine + Ylang-Ylang = Tropical Floral + Cardamom + Saffron = Spiced Floral

Tip: Use champaca to add natural radiance to white floral accords – it bridges jasmine and tuberose beautifully.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Magnolia CO2 CAS 95002-61-4

Offers similar creamy floralcy with better stability in soap formulations.

2
Osmanthus Absolute CAS 68917-05-5

Provides comparable apricot-tea nuances for more affordable compositions.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.

IFRA Status

No IFRA restrictions. Contains naturally occurring benzyl alcohol (≤1%) and benzyl benzoate (≤2%).

EU Allergen Declaration

Contains benzyl benzoate (allergen listed in Annex III). Must be declared above 0.001% in leave-on products.

RIFM Assessment

RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels. No significant sensitization risk when properly diluted.

Sustainability

Champaca is sustainably wild-harvested from mature trees in India and Southeast Asia. Ethical sourcing initiatives ensure fair wages for flower pickers. The solvent extraction process has high yield efficiency (≈0.8-1.2% absolute from fresh flowers). Synthetic reconstructions exist but lack the full spectrum of natural champaca’s complexity.

Explore Champaca Absolute

Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.

Browse on iHerb →

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

References

  1. Kaiser, R. (2006). Meaningful Scents Around the World. Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta.
  2. Arctander, S. (1960). Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin.

Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.

Report a data error

Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 85085-26-3

Odor & Flavor

Massoia bark oil has a coconut, lactone odor and a smooth, coconut, lactone, butter taste.📖 Fenaroli

Regulatory Status

IFRA ListedYes — see IFRA Standards for category limits⚖️ IFRA 51
Data Sources & Attribution
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.

Similar Posts