Liquidambar (Styrax)

Liquidambar styraciflua L.

(16)

We searched for many years to find a high-quality, authentic hexane-free Liquidambar resinoid. This is it, and we are happy to offer it to you. The aroma of our Liquidambar (Styrax), also known as Sweet Gum, is very rich, sweet-balsamic, faintly floral and somewhat spicy, with resinous, animalic, amber-like undertones.

Size

Selected size SKU:570-015 - Liquidambar (Styrax) 15 ml (1/2 oz) (w/ orifice reducer)

Sample 1 ml (1/30 oz)
$2.00
15 ml (1/2 oz)
$14.50
30 ml (1 oz)
$24.75
59.14 ml (2 oz)
$42.50
118.29 ml (4 oz)
$75.25
236.58 ml (8 oz)
$137.00
473.17 ml (16 oz)
$254.50
1 kg (2 1/5 lb)
$469.25
$2.00
Details
Solubility & Blending Suggestions
Suggested Resources
Safety Considerations
Certificates of Analysis (COA)
Documentation

Product Overview

We searched for many years to find a high-quality, authentic hexane-free Liquidambar resinoid. This is it, and we are happy to offer it to you. The aroma of our Liquidambar (Styrax), also known as Sweet Gum, is very rich, sweet-balsamic, faintly floral and somewhat spicy, with resinous, animalic, amber-like undertones. A unique styrene top note of hydrocarbon character displays as a characteristic ‘gasoline-type’ (some say ‘metallic’) odor that mellows to a great extent with time and usually becomes odorless.[1]

While Liquidambar may not appeal to everyone, this unusual material can be used to enhance a formula when used in small amounts and is best used as a component of a composition, rather than on its own.[2] Because of its content of high boiling constituents, “it acts as a most efficient odor fixative.”[3] Perhaps this explains in part why it was one of the most valued of ancient perfumes; it was also burned as an altar incense.[4] In modern times, it is used in quality perfumes – for example, the classics of Tweed (1933) by Lenthéric[5], Chanel No 5 (1921) by Chanel[6], and Apres l’Ondèe (1906) by Guerlain[7].

It is especially hard to find a Liquidambar resinoid that has a pleasant aroma – numerous materials on the perfumery market offered as true Liquidambar are quite often compounded.[8] There is also a lot of discussion around the irritancy and allergenic potential of Styrax, although much of it seems based on ‘poor’ data and misinformation. This product is actually prohibited by the IFRA due to this potentially faulty data,[9] however Styrax consistently shows very low percentages of these occurrences – and typically only in individuals with prior sensitization issues.

PLEASE NOTE: A component in Liquidambar (Styrax) called styrene is in the chemical class of vinyls; while styrene blends with fixed (carrier) oils, most alcohol is too polar (water content too high) to dissolve these molecules and will either precipitate out or cause cloudiness. Our experience is that only slight cloudiness occurs when Liquidambar is combined with 190 proof alcohol.

1 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, pp. 600-601.

2 Ibid.

3 Guenther, Ernest. The Essential Oils, Vol. V, 1985, p. 254.

4 Miller, Richard and Iona Miller. The Magical and Ritual Use of Perfumes, 1990, p. 69.

5 Groom, Nigel. The New Perfume Handbook, 2nd ed., 1997, pp. 317-8.

6 Calkin, Robert and J Stephan Jellinek. Perfumery Practice and Principles, 1994, p. 117.

7 https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Guerlain/Apres-l-Ondee-13.html

8 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, pp. 600-601.

9 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed., 2014, p. 433.

Blends Well With

4.7

16 Reviews

87.5%
14
6.3%
1
0.0%
0
0.0%
0
6.3%
1

Customer Reviews

An Eldritch Scent

Rating

This scent confused me, but not in such a way where I could not tell what was in it. The smells seem to me almost a ritual. Spice and bitterness. A touch of sweet that binds the two. Consecrated with an overtone of heat. It all comes together to make something new and strange. Almost unidentifiable in its alien nature. The only recommendation I have is the try the scent for yourself.

Review by Meredith 8/14/2015

UnUsUaL bLiSs

Rating

I bought a half oz of this months ago, it was AMAZING! The human flesh note was animalic and almost alienish. To me, that's the turn on. So different yet familiar. The dried fruit notes are a pleasure and great for oriental, resin, incense and even ambergris interpretations. Anyone questioning this, I highly recommend. ESSPECIALLY if blended. I smear this on alone but it's not for the faint of heart. I'v easily offended random people. Then I ordered a 1/4 oz of this and still loved it. Had more of a pear like note and just adds that resinous tone. Going back for more! Thanks eden, keep this bizzare beauty around!!!

Review by MD 12/20/2014

Cinnamon and styrofoam

Rating

Very warm and spicy. There is a strong hint of something very like cinnamon, but more tenacious and less bombastic; a spiciness that won't overwhelm your blend. There is a sweet, chemical like component similar to opoponax (sweet myrrh) that is particularly nice when rounded out with vanilla.

Review by David J 1/28/2014

Tears of resin

Rating

The quality of styrax can vary. This is my styrax of choice. Nicely balanced with sweet notes of dried fruit. A great choice for blending oriental style perfume creations.

Review by What Men Should Smell Like 3/23/2013

Eden's Liquidambar

Rating

I ordered a sample of this Liquidambar and was very surprised at its sweet but mellow note. It's hard to describe, but is indeed myrrh-like or amber-like, with a hint of floral sweetness. A wonderful little brightener for any woodsy mix. I've paired it with the Nagarmotha, vetiver and patchouli for something a little different. A good one to try if you're in the mood to experiment. You'll not go wrong!

Review by Michele L. 2/26/2013

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