Cedarwood Oil Atlas (CAS 8023-85-6) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents




Cedarwood Oil Atlas

CAS 8023-85-6

Origin
Note
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Mar 2026

What Is Cedarwood Oil Atlas?

Cedarwood Oil Atlas is a warm, woody essential oil distilled from the Atlas cedar tree native to Morocco. You’ll find it in men’s colognes, soaps, and home fragrances for its rich, grounding aroma. This oil matters because it provides a sustainable alternative to endangered cedar species while delivering the classic woody scent profile perfumers have used for centuries.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE

Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ No IFRA restrictions
⚠ Potential skin sensitizer at high concentrations
CAS
8023-85-6
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Key Constituents
α-Cedrene

α-Cedrene
β-Cedrene

β-Cedrene
Cedrol

Cedrol
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Cedarwood Oil Atlas Smell Like?

Atlas Cedarwood Oil unfolds with an initial sharp, pencil-shaving woodiness that quickly settles into a creamy, balsamic heart. Imagine walking through an antique cedar chest filled with aged parchment – dry yet slightly resinous, with whispers of sandalwood-like sweetness. The dry-down reveals smoky undertones reminiscent of distant campfire embers, lingering for hours with remarkable tenacity. Unlike Virginia cedar’s medicinal edge, Atlas offers rounder, more polished wood notes that blend seamlessly with spices and amber materials.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Terre d’Hermès(Hermès, 2006)

Jean-Claude Ellena used Atlas cedarwood as the structural backbone, amplifying its mineral facets with flint accord to create the fragrance’s iconic ‘wet stones’ effect. The oil’s dryness balances the citrus top notes.

Tam Dao(Diptyque, 2003)

This sandalwood-centric fragrance employs Atlas cedarwood for its superior longevity compared to other cedar varieties, creating a meditative woody aura that persists through the dry-down.

Encre Noire(Lalique, 2006)

Perfumer Nathalie Lorson paired Atlas cedarwood with vetiver and cypress, exploiting the oil’s smoky facets to create the fragrance’s distinctive ‘inky’ wood character.

Santal 33(Le Labo, 2011)

Atlas cedarwood provides the ‘pickle juice’ sharpness that contrasts with the creamy sandalwood, adding structural definition to this cult fragrance.

Chanel Égoïste(Chanel, 1990)

Jacques Polge used Atlas cedarwood in the woody-amber base, where its balsamic sweetness complements the cinnamon and sandalwood accord.

Layer 2

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Atlas Cedarwood Oil primarily consists of sesquiterpenes, with α-cedrene (35-45%) and β-cedrene (20-30%) as major constituents alongside cedrol (10-15%). These oxygenated sesquiterpenes contribute to the oil’s superior fixative properties compared to other cedar varieties. The oil is steam-distilled from wood chips of Cedrus atlantica, with Moroccan production yielding higher cedrol content than Algerian sources. Chirality matters – the (+)-cedrene isomer provides the characteristic dry woodiness, while thujopsene contributes subtle animalic nuances.

Chemical Composition

Physical & Chemical Properties

Appearance Pale yellow to amber viscous liquid
Boiling Point 250-260 °C
Flash Point 100 °C
Density 0.945-0.965 g/cm³
Refractive Index 1.495-1.510
Optical Rotation +50° to +60°

Key Constituent Properties

Constituent CAS MW BP °C XLogP Vapor P.
α-Cedrene 469-61-4 204.35 262 5.1 0.01 mmHg
β-Cedrene 546-28-1 204.35 258 5.1 0.01 mmHg
Cedrol 77-53-2 222.37 291 4.2 0.0003 mmHg

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Base
Volatility
Low (8+ hours)
Blending
Excellent
Application Typical % Range Notes
Fine Fragrance 2-5% Up to 10% Base note for woody accords
Soap/Detergent 0.5-1.5% Up to 3% Provides masculine character
Home Fragrance 3-7% Up to 15% Diffuses well in candles
Cosmetics 0.1-0.5% Up to 1% Used sparingly for scent stability

Classic Accords

+ Vetiver + Patchouli = Dark Woods
+ Vanilla + Tonka = Smoky Gourmand
+ Juniper + Cypress = Forest Floor
+ Amber + Musk = Warm Woody

Tip: Pre-dilute to 10% in DEP for better solubility in alcohol bases.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Virginia Cedarwood Oil CAS 8000-27-9

More medicinal and camphoraceous, use when sharper wood notes are needed. Lower cedrol content means shorter longevity.

2
Cedramber (IFF) CAS 67874-81-1

Synthetic alternative with enhanced amber facets and reduced woodiness. Better for floral compositions needing subtle wood support.

3
Himalayan Cedarwood Oil CAS 8000-27-9

Softer, more floral character with less smokiness. Preferred for delicate feminine fragrances.

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 restrictions under IFRA 49th Amendment. Contains no regulated allergens.

GHS Classification

H315 Skin irritation
H317 May cause allergic skin reaction

RIFM Assessment

RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current levels in fragrance applications (2015).

Sustainability

Atlas cedar is sustainably harvested through Moroccan government-regulated programs that replant trees. The distillation process uses wood waste from furniture production. Compared to endangered Texas cedar, Atlas offers superior ecological profile with comparable scent characteristics. Some producers now offer FSC-certified material.

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Industry & Science Data

Commercial Price
$20–$50/kg
natural grade, bulk market
Indicative 2024 pricing. Varies by purity & volume.
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References

  1. Lawrence, B.M. (2005). Cedarwood Oils. Perfumer & Flavorist, 30, 34-48.
  2. Tisserand, R. & Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety. Elsevier.
  3. Arctander, S. (1960). Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin.

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

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 8023-85-6
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.

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