Bacdanol

✦ Synthetic sandalwood aroma chemical delivering creamy, woody, milky depth as a base note
✦ Closely replicates the smooth, rich profile of natural Mysore sandalwood oil
✦ Exceptional skin substantivity — long-lasting presence with high tenacity on skin and fabric
✦ Used in fine fragrances, oriental attars, body lotions, hair care, and reed diffusers
✦ Featured as a core sandalwood molecule in designer and niche perfume formulations worldwide
✦ 100% vegan and cruelty-free — a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to natural sandalwood
✦ Blends effortlessly with musks, ambers, florals, oud, and other woody aroma chemicals

Bacdanol is a synthetic sandalwood fragrance molecule developed to capture the iconic creamy, woody warmth of East Indian sandalwood. First introduced as a cost-effective and sustainable replacement for natural Santalum album oil, it quickly became a staple in commercial and artisan perfumery. As natural sandalwood became increasingly expensive and ecologically regulated, synthetic alternatives like Bacdanol rose to prominence across the fragrance industry, from large-scale manufacturers to independent perfumers.

What sets Bacdanol apart is its exceptional balance between creaminess and true woodiness. Unlike some synthetic sandalwood materials that lean overly sweet or sharp, Bacdanol delivers a soft, milky, and refined character that sits naturally on skin. Its strong substantivity anchors a fragrance without becoming overbearing, and its smooth, linear dry-down makes it one of the most predictable and reliable sandalwood materials available. Perfumers consistently reach for it when they need a dependable sandalwood foundation that works across a wide range of fragrance families.

Rabibazaar supplies cosmetic-grade Bacdanol suitable for perfumers, independent fragrance creators, cosmetic formulators, and DIY beauty crafters who need a dependable, high-quality sandalwood building block at accessible quantities.

SCENT DESCRIPTION : Bacdanol opens with a warm, creamy woodiness that immediately recalls the smooth richness of Mysore sandalwood. As it dries down, a milky, almost skin-like softness emerges alongside a faintly powdery and balsamic quality. The scent is rounded and linear — it does not evolve dramatically but deepens and settles into a clean, intimate warmth. At full dry-down it feels soft and comforting, adding quiet depth and cohesion to the entire composition.

NOTE POSITION : Base

FRAGRANCE FAMILY : Woody · Sandalwood · Creamy Amber

FACETS : Creamy · Woody · Milky · Balsamic · Powdery

TENACITY : High — 8 to 12 hours on skin, longer on fabric

SILLAGE : Medium — close to skin, intimate dry-down with soft, skin-close projection

Chemical Name : (E)-2-Ethyl-4-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl)-2-buten-1-ol
CAS Number : 28219-61-6
Synonyms : Bacdanol IFF; Cyclopentene Butene Ol; Sandalwood Aroma Chemical
Purity : 97% minimum (verify with supplier)
Appearance : Colorless to pale yellow clear liquid
Odor Threshold : Approximately 1 to 3 ppm (potent material, dose carefully)
Solubility : Freely soluble in alcohol and carrier oils; practically insoluble in water
Specific Gravity : 0.920 to 0.940 at 20°C
Flash Point : Approximately 100°C (verify with supplier SDS)
Type : Synthetic

Fine Fragrance ★★★★★
Bacdanol is ideally suited for Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette as a core base note material. It provides the creamy sandalwood warmth that anchors oriental, floral-woody, and amber-style compositions. It is one of the most versatile woody molecules available for fine fragrance work at any level.

Attar & Oriental Blending ★★★★★
In traditional attar formulation, Bacdanol serves as an excellent sandalwood base substitute or extender. It blends naturally with oud, rose, musk, and amber to build authentic-smelling oriental attars at a more accessible cost than natural sandalwood oil. It is a go-to material for Pakistani and South Asian fragrance styles.

Functional Fragrance ★★★★☆
Bacdanol performs well in body lotions, hair conditioners, and personal care products where a clean, lasting sandalwood note is desired. Its substantivity ensures the scent remains perceptible even after rinse-off products are applied, making it effective in both leave-on and rinse-off formulations.

Cosmetics ★★★★☆
In creams, lotions, and lip-safe formulations, Bacdanol contributes a smooth woody note without significant discolouration risk. It is relatively stable in emulsified systems and pairs well with floral and musk notes in skin care fragrancing.

Home Fragrance ★★★★☆
In candles, reed diffusers, and room sprays, Bacdanol adds smooth sandalwood warmth that blends easily with amber, oud, and floral materials. It performs best in reed diffusers and spray applications where its quiet projection is an asset rather than a limitation.

Recommended Usage Rates

EDP : 3% to 8%
EDT : 2% to 5%
Body Lotion : 1% to 3%
Shampoo/Body Wash : 0.5% to 1.5%
Candle : 3% to 6%
Reed Diffuser : 5% to 15%
Soap : 1% to 3%

IFRA 51st Amendment — Bacdanol CAS 28219-61-6

Category 4 (Leave-on skin, body lotion) : Verify with current IFRA 51st Amendment publication
Category 9 (Rinse-off, shampoo, body wash) : Verify with current IFRA 51st Amendment publication
Category 12 (Air fresheners, diffusers) : Verify with current IFRA 51st Amendment publication

⚠️ Always refer to the official IFRA 51st Amendment before finalizing any formulation. IFRA limits are updated periodically and vary by product category. In commercial production, calculate safe usage by applying the IFRA limit to the fragrance compound percentage in the finished product, not to the raw material alone.

⚠️ Patch test recommended in all leave-on applications. Keep all aroma chemicals out of reach of children.

Method 1 — Direct Addition to Alcohol or Carrier Base
Add Bacdanol directly to your perfumers alcohol or carrier oil before incorporating other materials. As a high-tenacity base note, introducing it early allows it to integrate fully with the rest of the formula. Begin at 3% in EDP work and adjust upward based on the desired intensity of the sandalwood note.

Method 2 — Pre-Dilution in DPG or IPM
For more controlled dosing, pre-dilute Bacdanol to a 10% solution in dipropylene glycol or isopropyl myristate. This makes handling easier, improves blendability in emulsions, and allows finer adjustments — especially useful in body care and rinse-off formulations where low usage rates are required.

Method 3 — Layering with Musks and Ambers
Bacdanol performs best when layered beneath skin musks and amber materials. Combine it with Ambroxan and a clean musk like Habanolide or Galaxolide to build a warm, skin-close sandalwood accord. Adding a touch of benzyl benzoate deepens the balsamic warmth and extends overall dry-down projection.

BEST PAIRINGS

Ambroxan → Adds ambergris depth and extends dry-down into a smooth, skin-like warmth
Iso E Super → Contributes diffusive cedar-woody character and amplifies overall wood presence
Hedione → Brightens the accord with jasmine-like transparency and radiant freshness
Benzyl Benzoate → Softens and rounds the blend with balsamic, powdery richness
Galaxolide → Extends longevity and adds clean, intimate musk warmth to the dry-down
Habanolide → Contributes a soft, skin-close musky note that enhances the milky quality
Rose Absolute → Creates a classic, luxurious sandalwood-rose accord
Vetiver → Grounds the composition with earthy, smoky woodiness

AVOID
Avoid combining Bacdanol with high concentrations of aggressive citrus or strongly acidic materials, as these may slightly disrupt the smooth creaminess of the accord. In alkaline soap bases, conduct stability testing before finalising concentration.

I have worked with Bacdanol across hundreds of formulations and what never ceases to impress me is how naturally it reads on skin. Unlike harder or more overtly synthetic sandalwood materials, Bacdanol has a quality of warmth that feels lived-in — as if it has always been present. It does not announce itself loudly. It settles in quietly, and in a finished fragrance that restraint makes the entire composition feel more polished and complete. It works equally well anchoring a formal EDP as it does enriching a simple body oil, and that range of application makes it one of the most valuable materials in any perfumer's collection regardless of experience level.

ADVANCED TIP : Build a transparent sandalwood base by combining 5% Bacdanol with 3% Iso E Super and 2% Hedione in your carrier before adding any other materials. This creates a wood-skin foundation with both depth and lift. Then layer your floral or oriental heart directly on top. The result is a composition where the base and heart feel like a single continuous texture rather than separate layers stacked on top of each other. This technique is especially effective in modern skin-scent, clean woody, and intimate oriental fragrance styles.

Physical State : Clear liquid at room temperature
Skin Safety : Generally safe at recommended usage rates; patch test advised for sensitive skin
Eye Contact : Avoid direct contact; rinse thoroughly with clean water if contact occurs
Ingestion : Not for internal use under any circumstances; keep away from children
Ventilation : Use in a well-ventilated area; avoid prolonged inhalation of concentrated vapours
Storage : Cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and heat sources
Shelf Life : 2 to 3 years when stored properly in a tightly sealed original container
Container : Store in glass or HDPE containers; avoid PVC or reactive plastics
Flammability : Combustible liquid; flash point approximately 100°C; follow standard lab fire safety

Q: What is Bacdanol and what is it used for?
A: Bacdanol is a synthetic sandalwood aroma chemical used as a base note in fine fragrances, attars, body care, and home fragrance products. It delivers a creamy, woody, milky scent that replicates natural sandalwood without using restricted natural sources.

Q: How much Bacdanol should I use in an EDP formulation?
A: Start at 3% to 5% in an Eau de Parfum and adjust based on your preferred intensity. It is a potent material and tends to read clearly on skin even at lower concentrations — avoid overshooting in early trials.

Q: Is Bacdanol safe to use in skin care products like body lotions?
A: Yes, at recommended usage rates Bacdanol is considered safe for leave-on applications. Always follow IFRA 51st Amendment guidelines for your specific product category and conduct a patch test before finalising any skin-contact formulation.

Q: Can Bacdanol fully replace natural sandalwood oil in a formula?
A: It functions as a strong substitute in most perfumery and cosmetic applications. However, natural sandalwood oil carries additional nuance and complexity that a single molecule cannot replicate on its own. Many perfumers use Bacdanol as a base and blend in small amounts of natural sandalwood when the budget allows.

Q: How does Bacdanol compare to other synthetic sandalwood molecules like Javanol or Polysantol?
A: Bacdanol is known for its smooth, creamy, classical sandalwood character — closest in style to Mysore sandalwood. Javanol by Givaudan tends to be more refined and transparent with a softer skin quality. Polysantol is lighter and more powdery in character. Bacdanol is generally preferred for its ease of blending and its natural-feeling warmth in oriental, amber, and woody fragrance styles.

Professional formulation workflow

Bacdanol should be evaluated in a controlled small batch before production. Confirm the supplied grade, active concentration and recommended application range from the current supplier documentation. Weigh accurately instead of measuring by drops, record every adjustment, and compare the modified trial against an unchanged control.

Compatibility and quality checks

Test the ingredient in the actual alcohol, oil, surfactant, emulsion or wax base intended for sale. Observe clarity, separation, color, odor and performance immediately after mixing and again after a suitable resting period. A material that looks stable in a concentrate can behave differently in the finished formulation.

Scale-up and safety

Convert percentages into exact batch weights and verify the final consumer-product concentration before scaling. Follow the latest applicable IFRA, cosmetic, chemical and supplier safety documentation for the intended category. Use appropriate protective equipment, ventilation and clearly labeled containers, and retain a sample from every approved batch for quality comparison.