Styrax (liquid) (CAS 8024-09-07) — Balsamic Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Styrax (liquid)
CAS 8024-09-07
What Is Styrax (liquid)?
Styrax (liquid) is a rich, resinous balsam obtained from the bark of the Liquidambar tree. You’ll encounter its warm, vanilla-like sweetness in amber perfumes, incense blends, and some traditional medicines. This ancient material has been treasured since biblical times for its fixative properties and deep aroma.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Styrax (liquid) Smell Like?
Styrax unfolds like molten amber – initially sharp with a medicinal, almost rubbery edge that quickly mellows into a velvety embrace of dark honey, dried plums, and aged leather. The dry-down is where magic happens: a slow-burning vanilla-cinnamon glow with whispers of church incense and antique wood polish. Unlike synthetic vanillins, styrax carries earthy complexities – imagine raindrops on warm tree bark with a faint smoky trail that lingers for days on fabric.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Styrax provides the mysterious, smoky foundation that balances Shalimar’s citrus burst, creating the first oriental fragrance blueprint. Its resinous depth makes the vanilla accord feel ancient rather than gourmand.
Here styrax works with labdanum to build a dry, herbal amber – its medicinal facets accentuate the aromatic herbs while softening into a skin-like warmth.
Styrax bridges the tobacco leaf sharpness and vanilla sweetness, adding a lacquered wood effect that prevents the composition from becoming overly food-like.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Styrax is a complex natural balsam containing approximately 20-30% cinnamic acid esters (mainly cinnamyl cinnamate), along with styrene, vanillin, and various terpenes. The resin is obtained by making incisions in the bark of Liquidambar orientalis (Asian styrax) or Liquidambar styraciflua (American styrax). Solvent extraction yields a purified resinoid, while steam distillation produces styrax oil with different olfactory properties. The presence of natural styrene (5-10%) contributes to the material’s distinctive sharp opening note.
Chemical Composition
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Dark brown viscous liquid |
|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, insoluble in water |
| Flash Point | >100 °C |
Key Constituent Properties
| Constituent | CAS | MW | BP °C | XLogP | Vapor P. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinnamyl cinnamate | 122-69-0 | 264.32 | 370 °C | 4.5 | 0.0001 mmHg |
| Styrene | 100-42-5 | 104.15 | 145 °C | 2.9 | 5 mmHg |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Provides warmth and diffusion |
| Home Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 7% | Enhances longevity of candles |
| Soap/Cosmetic | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Use solubilized forms |
Classic Accords
Tip: Pre-dilute to 10% in ethanol to handle viscosity and better evaluate olfactory impact.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Solvent-extracted version with richer balsamic character and less sharpness, ideal for smoother amber blends.
Softer alternative when less smoke and more vanilla-like sweetness is desired.
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 IFRA restrictions (as of 49th Amendment). Contains styrene which is self-limiting by odor threshold.
EU Allergen Declaration
May contain trace amounts of benzyl benzoate (CAS 120-51-4) requiring declaration above 0.001% in leave-on products.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM safety assessment confirms current use levels are safe; styrene content monitored for workplace exposure limits.
Sustainability
Wild-harvested from sustainably managed Liquidambar trees in Turkey and Honduras. Each tree yields approximately 1kg resin annually. Harvesters make careful incisions that don’t kill trees, with 3-5 year recovery periods between harvests. Synthetic alternatives exist but lack the complex natural profile. Fair trade initiatives support collector communities.
Explore Styrax (liquid)
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References
- Arctander, S. (1960). Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin.
- IFRA Standards Library (2022). 49th Amendment. Link
- Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
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