Cedar in perfumery
Cedar is an important wood in perfumery. It is considered as a tutor by perfumers, as it is a note that gives vibration to the fragrance. It supports the whole olfactory pyramid, it can cross the perfume from the top notes to the base notes. It is a wood that is increasingly used in fragrances for women, along with vetiver, sandalwood and patchouli.
Botanical names of cedar
- Juniperus Virginiana / Mexicana (Virginia or Texas cedar)
- Cedrus Atlantica (Atlas cedar)
- Cryptomeria (Japanese cedar)
Virginia, Red or Texas cedars are the two main species used in perfumery. They are also quite similar olfactory-wise. Atlas cedar is really different and more difficult to work with.
Origins of cedar
The Atlas cedar is native to the Middle East, North Africa and the Himalayas. It was planted in Europe in 1839.
It is a beautiful, majestic and very fragrant tree. Its branches are spread out horizontally and in superimposed planes.
The word cedar comes from the Latin cedrus, which is derived from the Greek kedros.
The first use of cedar dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was extracted for cosmetic purposes, funeral ceremonies and embalming.
Cedarwood has a special place in many cultures, from Japan to Egypt, through China and Greece. In Lebanon, it is the emblem of the country and is displayed on the flag.
In Japan, cedar is called Hinoki wood, which is a variety of cypress native to Japan and is similar to the conifers whose smell is very similar to that of cedar. There is also Sugi Cryptomeria or Japanese cedar, which means fire tree because it is highly flammable. These two varieties of wood are widely used in Japan for the construction of temples, traditional baths (ofuro) and also for their incense recipe.
Throughout history, most civilisations have used this large tree for their constructions because of its rot-proof qualities and its extraordinary longevity. Cedar can live up to three thousand years. It is also used for its moth-proofing properties.
A little story
At the 49th year of your wedding you celebrate the cedar wedding, the one before the golden one.
Processing and manufacturing of cedar raw material
Cedarwood essence is obtained by steam distillation from the wood chips. The wood is then ground to a powder.
Properties of cedar
Cedar is a lymphatic and venous decongestant, it acts on cellulite. It is also antiseptic and fungicidal.
Cedar leaf is a natural aromatic note. It is used in naturopathy for its healing properties. It was the salvation of Captain Jacques Cartier's crew, who were suffering from scurvy and stuck in the merciless Quebec winter at the beginning of the 16th century.
Olfactive description of cedar
Cedar is a dry, vibrant, woody note that brings structure and elegance to the fragrance.
It can run through the entire fragrance from the top to base notes. It can be considered as a tutor in a composition.
Or else, cedarwood essence can be played in overdose. It can be orchestrated with other woody notes such as patchouli, vetiver, sandalwood to create a fragrance with a direct, clearly woody message. Cedar blends perfectly with citrus fruits, especially grapefruit.
Cedar molecules
Chemistry has also made it possible to isolate numerous molecules from cedar. These molecules (cf. Synthetic molecules), such as cedryl acetate, cedrol, vertofix or cedramber can sublimate other notes and be interesting in a composition.
Use of cedar in perfumery
Cedar is often associated with masculine fragrances or woody family.
It is increasingly present in women's fragrances. One of the first was Féminité du Bois by Serge Lutens in 1992.
It can be associated with all olfactory families: citrus, floral, oriental, chypre.
Cedar can even be interesting in an eau de Cologne as a base note.
Without cedar, we could not create half of the perfumes on the market.
Main constituents of cedar in perfumery
Alpha cedrene, cedrol, beta caryophyllene.
Perfumes containing cedar
Here is the list of the main fragrances containing cedar:
- Féminité du bois by Serge Lutens
- Bois de Violette by Serge Lutens
- Dolce Vita by Dior
- Tonka Impériale by Guerlain
- Bois Marocain by Guerlain
- Santal Blush by Tom Ford
- Bois Farine by L'Artisan Parfumeur
- Rush for Men by Gucci
- Déclaration by Cartier
- Light Blue by Dolce&Gabbana
- Eau des Merveilles by Hermès
- Cèdre Sambac by Hermès
- Poivre Samarcande by Hermès
- Terre by Hermès
- Sycomore by Chanel
- Audace by Profumum Roma
- Palissandre d’or by Aedes de Venustas
Cedar in Sylvaine Delacourte perfumes
Cedar is present in Sylvaine Delacourte Paris compositions, in a more noticeable way in Vangelis and Virgile from the Vanilla Collection.
Discover Sylvaine Delacourte's brand with her Orange Blossom, Musk and Vanilla Collections. You can try them thanks to the Discovery Boxes (5 Eaux de Parfum x 2 ml) and rediscover these raw materials as you have never smelled them before.