Cucumber distillate (CAS 89998-01-06) — Green Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Cucumber distillate
CAS 89998-01-06
What Is Cucumber distillate?
Cucumber distillate is a refreshing, water-based extract derived from fresh cucumbers, often encountered in spa products, aftershaves, and summer fragrances. Its crisp, clean aroma evokes freshly sliced cucumbers with a subtle green stemminess. This ingredient matters because it provides an instant cooling sensation and natural freshness without synthetic mint or citrus notes, making it ideal for unisex and daytime fragrances seeking a light, watery character.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Cucumber distillate Smell Like?
Cucumber distillate bursts with the dewy freshness of just-harvested cucumbers – crisp, watery, and slightly green with the faintest melon-like sweetness. The top note is an instantaneous splash of chilled cucumber juice, evolving into a heart of cucumber peel with its mild bitter-green character. The dry-down reveals a whisper of damp earthiness, like morning dew on a vegetable garden. Unlike synthetic cucumber aromachemicals, this natural distillate carries subtle variations that mimic the living plant, with occasional hints of cucumber blossom in high-quality batches.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Jean-Claude Ellena used cucumber distillate to create the illusion of raindrops on vegetation, pairing it with cardamom and ginger for a monsoon-inspired freshness.
The cucumber note cuts through the pear’s sweetness, adding a crisp contrast that prevents the composition from becoming cloying.
One of the first fragrances to feature cucumber water prominently, creating a revolutionary ‘salad fresh’ effect in perfumery.
Cucumber distillate enhances the aquatic theme with a more naturalistic freshness compared to traditional calone-based marine accords.
Used minimally to suggest the refreshing slice of cucumber in a summer cocktail, blending with solar notes and coconut.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Cucumber distillate is primarily composed of water-soluble volatile compounds extracted through hydrodistillation of Cucumis sativus. Key aroma molecules include (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal (cucumber aldehyde), hexanal, and (Z)-3-hexenol. Unlike absolute or essential oil extraction, the distillation process preserves the fresh, aqueous quality by capturing water-soluble components. The composition varies significantly by cucumber cultivar and harvest time, with greenhouse-grown English cucumbers typically yielding the most refined aroma profile. Modern CO2 extraction methods can produce more concentrated versions while maintaining the natural balance of top notes.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Clear, colorless to pale green liquid |
|---|---|
| Solubility | Miscible with water and alcohol |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Used for fresh top notes |
| Body Care | 1-3% | Up to 10% | Adds refreshing quality to lotions |
| Home Fragrance | 0.1-1% | Up to 2% | Light hand required to prevent vegetal off-notes |
Classic Accords
Tip: Add at the very end of blending to preserve top notes, and consider pairing with a trace of violet leaf absolute to extend the green freshness.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Synthetic alternative that provides a more intense, candy-like cucumber-melon effect but lacks the natural watery subtleties.
Offers a greener, more vegetal cucumber-like note with greater tenacity, though less refreshing.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No restrictions – not listed in IFRA Standards.
RIFM Assessment
Considered safe for use in fragrance by RIFM based on food-use history and low concentration of potential sensitizers.
Sustainability
Cucumber distillation is relatively sustainable due to the crop’s fast growth cycle and high water content. Most commercial production uses cucumbers that don’t meet cosmetic standards for food use, reducing waste. Organic cultivation is increasingly common, though the distillation process itself requires significant energy input. Some producers are experimenting with solar-powered stills to reduce environmental impact.
Explore Cucumber distillate
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References
- Buttery et al. (1975). Cucumber Volatiles. Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry. DOI 10.1021/jf60200a040
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
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