Dextrin (CAS 9004-53-9) — Citrus None Note Fragrance Ingredient
Dextrin
CAS 9004-53-9
What Is Dextrin?
Dextrin is a carbohydrate derived from starch, commonly used as a thickening agent in food and cosmetics. You’ll find it in products like hair sprays, dry shampoos, and some powdered cosmetics. While it doesn’t contribute fragrance, dextrin plays a key role in product texture and performance. This ingredient matters because it helps create the right consistency in sprayable products without leaving heavy residues. It’s particularly valued for its ability to absorb oils while remaining lightweight on skin and hair.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Dextrin Smell Like?
Dextrin is essentially odorless with a very faint, neutral cereal-like character when pure. In its powdered form, it may carry a subtle dry, starchy note reminiscent of uncooked flour or cornstarch. This complete lack of strong odor makes it ideal for fragrance-free formulations where texture modification is needed without olfactory interference. The material doesn’t evolve or change in scent over time, maintaining its neutral profile even when mixed with other ingredients.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: C(C1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(OC(C(C2O)O)OC3C(OC(C(C3O)O)O)CO)CO)O)O)O)O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Dextrins are polysaccharides produced by the hydrolysis of starch, typically from corn, potato, or wheat. They consist of D-glucose units connected by α-(1→4) or α-(1→6) glycosidic bonds. Commercially, dextrin is created through dry roasting of starch in the presence of small amounts of acid catalysts at controlled temperatures (pyroconversion). The process breaks down starch molecules into shorter chains, creating a soluble powder with varying degrees of polymerization depending on the manufacturing conditions. Unlike starch, dextrin is water-soluble and forms less viscous solutions, making it more versatile in formulations.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | White or yellow powder |
|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in water, insoluble in alcohol |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Care | 2-10% | Up to 15% | Provides hold without stiffness |
| Dry Shampoos | 5-20% | Up to 30% | Oil absorption and powder base |
| Cosmetic Powders | 3-8% | Up to 12% | Improves texture and adhesion |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use as a carrier powder for fragrance encapsulation in dry applications.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Shorter carbohydrate chains with higher solubility, used when faster dissolution is needed in formulations.
Natural alternative with similar oil-absorbing properties but lower solubility in water.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted by IFRA – considered safe for all cosmetic applications.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM considers dextrin safe for use in cosmetic applications with no expected sensitization potential.
Sustainability
Dextrin is typically produced from renewable plant starch sources like corn or potatoes. The manufacturing process is energy-efficient, requiring only moderate heat for starch conversion. As a biodegradable material, it presents minimal environmental impact. Synthetic production avoids agricultural land use concerns associated with some natural ingredients. Most commercial dextrin is produced in facilities that utilize byproducts from food processing, contributing to circular economy practices in the starch industry.
Explore Dextrin
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Browse on iHerb →Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
References
- Food and Drug Administration (2021). Code of Federal Regulations Title 21. FDA CFR
- European Chemicals Agency (2020). Dextrin registration dossier. ECHA
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 9004-53-9Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 504.4 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | -6.9🔬 PubChem |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -10.676💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | C(C1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(OC(C(C2O)O)OC3C(OC(C(C3O)O)O)CO)CO)O)O)O)O🔬 PubChem |
Odor & Flavor
| Functional Groups | alcoholether💻 RDKit |
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.
Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID20891750
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 504.4 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | -6.9 Log10 unitless🔬 PubChem |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 268.68 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 11 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 16 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 7 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 101.25 cm^3/mol💻 Computed |
Data Sources:
🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.
Related Research
