Beta Damascone (10% in DPG)

✦ Extraordinarily potent rose-fruity aroma chemical — effective at concentrations as low as 0.01% in a finished fragrance
✦ Delivers rosy, apple-fruity, tobacco, and woody facets simultaneously in a single molecule
✦ Core building block for rose accords, fruity chypres, oriental attars, and tobacco-rose compositions
✦ Very high tenacity and radiant sillage — trace usage yields lasting, diffusive results
✦ IFRA 51st Amendment restricted ingredient — usage limits apply across skin-contact categories
✦ Soluble in alcohol and carrier oils — suitable for EDP, EDT, attar, and oil-based perfume formats
✦ Vegan and cruelty-free synthetic — no animal-derived raw materials

Beta Damascone belongs to the damascone family of aroma chemicals, a group of rose ketones first isolated from Bulgarian rose absolute in the mid-twentieth century. While the damascones occur naturally in trace quantities within Rosa damascena and Rosa centifolia, the commercial aroma chemical is produced synthetically to achieve the consistency and purity that natural extraction cannot reliably provide. The damascone family — alpha, beta, and delta isomers — each carry distinct olfactory signatures, with beta-damascone regarded as the most intensely diffusive and tonally complex of the group.

What sets Beta Damascone apart from its isomers and from other rose aroma chemicals is the convergence of multiple odour dimensions within a single molecule. At the same time it reads as rosy and fresh-fruity, it carries a dry, tobacco-woody warmth and a subtle spicy edge that deepens over time. This multi-dimensionality means it can simultaneously brighten a floral accord, add perceived freshness to a heavy oriental, and provide the smoky, dry-down character sought in classic chypre and fougère structures. Its odour threshold is among the lowest of any commercially used aroma chemical, making dosing precision non-negotiable for professional results.

Rabibazaar supplies cosmetic-grade Beta Damascone suitable for fine fragrance, attar and oriental blending, personal care formulations, and advanced home fragrance applications by DIY perfumers and professional formulators.

SCENT DESCRIPTION : Beta Damascone opens with an immediate blast of ripe, almost jammy rose paired with fresh apple and stone-fruit sweetness. Within minutes, a dry tobacco warmth and woody smokiness emerge from beneath the floral-fruity brightness, lending the molecule its signature complexity. The overall effect is simultaneously fresh and dark — a tension that makes it exceptionally useful in structures that need radiance without softness. Even in extreme dilution, its presence is unmistakable, adding a living, diffusive quality that gives accords an almost vocal, resonant character.

NOTE POSITION : Mid to Base

FRAGRANCE FAMILY : Floral · Fruity · Oriental / Chypre

FACETS : Rosy · Apple-Fruity · Tobacco · Woody · Spicy

TENACITY : Very High — perceptible on strip for 18 to 24+ hours; in blends, contributes lasting dry-down warmth

SILLAGE : High — radiates strongly even at trace concentrations; a defining character molecule in diffusive floral-oriental compositions

Chemical Name : (E)-1-(2,6,6-Trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2-buten-1-one
CAS Number : 23726-91-2
Synonyms : β-Damascone · Rose Ketone-4 · Damascone Beta · 2-Buten-1-one, 1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-
Purity : ≥95% (verify with supplier for lot-specific CoA)
Appearance : Pale yellow to yellow clear liquid
Odour Threshold : Approximately 0.0009 ppb — among the lowest of any commercial aroma chemical
Solubility : Insoluble in water · Freely soluble in ethanol, IPM, DPG, and fragrance-grade carrier oils
Specific Gravity : 0.935 – 0.945 at 20°C (verify with supplier)
Flash Point : Approximately 88 – 95°C (verify with supplier CoA)
Type : Synthetic aroma chemical

Fine Fragrance : ★★★★★
Beta Damascone is one of the most consequential ingredients in fine fragrance. It is the backbone of innumerable rose-centred EDPs and EDTs and appears in virtually every major rose, fruity-floral, chypre, and oriental accord. Dosing must be precise — overuse creates a harsh, cloying effect, while correct usage (typically 0.01 to 0.05% in the finished fragrance) delivers extraordinary radiance and depth. It is most effectively used in combination with other damascones, rose oxide, geraniol, and musks.

Attar & Oriental Blending : ★★★★★
For Pakistani and subcontinental attar blending, Beta Damascone is transformative. It amplifies the rosy-fruity character of natural rose absolute and otto while adding the dry tobacco-woody depth that is a hallmark of classic Taif and Kannauj rose attars. Even a single drop in a 10 ml base can shift the olfactory identity of a composition. It pairs naturally with oud, sandalwood, ambergris accords, and rose-based bases in oriental structures.

Functional Fragrance : ★★★★☆
In rinse-off products such as shampoos and body washes, Beta Damascone delivers a rosy, fruity freshness that survives dilution and rinsing with reasonable tenacity. IFRA limits for rinse-off categories are somewhat more permissive than leave-on, but dosing must still be carefully controlled. It contributes character at usage levels where most other rose molecules would be imperceptible.

Cosmetics & Skin Care : ★★★☆☆
Beta Damascone can be incorporated into leave-on cosmetics including body lotions and face creams at IFRA-compliant levels, typically below 0.02% in the finished product. Its skin sensitization potential — a class-wide characteristic of the damascone family — means that QRA calculations and patch testing are essential. It is not recommended for products used near the eyes, on damaged skin, or in infant and child formulations without specialist review.

Home Fragrance : ★★★★☆
In reed diffusers and candles, Beta Damascone is a highly effective character molecule. Without skin contact restrictions, home fragrance formats allow slightly more generous usage, and the diffusive, radiating quality of the molecule makes it particularly well-suited to reed diffusers where continuous low-level emission is desired. It adds rosy-fruity depth to home fragrance accords that would otherwise sit flat.

RECOMMENDED USAGE RATES (in finished product)

Application : Recommended Rate
EDP : 0.02 – 0.05%
EDT : 0.01 – 0.03%
Attar / Perfume Oil : 0.01 – 0.03%
Body Lotion : 0.005 – 0.015%
Shampoo / Body Wash : 0.01 – 0.02%
Candle : 0.05 – 0.10%
Reed Diffuser : 0.05 – 0.15%
Bar Soap : 0.01 – 0.02%

⚠ Beta Damascone is an extremely potent molecule. Begin at the lowest suggested rate and evaluate before increasing. Overuse produces harsh, cloying results and increases sensitization risk.

IFRA 51ST AMENDMENT LIMITS — BETA DAMASCONE (CAS 23726-91-2)
(Indicative values — always verify against current IFRA standards and your supplier CoA)

IFRA Category 1 (Lip products) : 0.02%
IFRA Category 2 (Deodorant, body spray) : 0.02%
IFRA Category 3 (Eye area, face leave-on) : 0.02%
IFRA Category 4 (Body lotion, leave-on) : 0.02%
IFRA Category 5 (Hand lotion, leave-on) : 0.02%
IFRA Category 6 (Mouthwash, oral products) : Not recommended
IFRA Category 7 (Hair leave-on) : 0.10%
IFRA Category 8 (Rinse-off face products) : 0.02%
IFRA Category 9 (Body wash, shampoo, rinse-off) : 0.10%
IFRA Category 10 (Household rinse-off) : 0.30%
IFRA Category 11 (Candles, non-skin contact) : No restriction specified

⚠ Beta Damascone is an IFRA-restricted ingredient with a known skin sensitization profile. A full Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) is mandatory before use in any leave-on skin-contact product.
⚠ Not suitable for oral care products, infant products, or products intended for use on damaged or hypersensitive skin.
⚠ IFRA limits listed here are indicative. Always download the current IFRA 51st Amendment standard sheet for this specific ingredient and calculate usage rates against your full formula.

METHOD 1 — PRE-DILUTION IN DPG OR IPM
Beta Damascone should never be used neat in blending work unless you are working at production scale with calibrated dispensing equipment. Pre-dilute to a 1% or 10% solution in DPG or IPM before use. A 1% solution in DPG allows accurate pipetting and gives you practical working concentrations in the 0.01 to 0.05% range in finished blends without risk of gross overuse. Label your dilutions clearly and store separately from your undiluted stock.

METHOD 2 — AS A ROSE ACCORD BOOSTER
In rose accords built around geraniol, citronellol, phenyl ethyl alcohol, and rose oxide, Beta Damascone acts as the soul of the construction — the element that transforms a collection of rose components into something that reads as genuinely floral and alive. Add it last, after the main accord is established, starting at 0.01% of the total accord weight. Evaluate after 24 hours on a strip before adjusting.

METHOD 3 — AS A CHYPRE AND ORIENTAL DRY-DOWN MODIFIER
In chypre and oriental structures, Beta Damascone bridges the gap between floral top notes and resinous, woody base materials. Used at 0.02 to 0.04% of the total formula, it provides the rosy-fruity radiance that lifts oakmoss, labdanum, and vetiver bases and prevents them from reading as heavy or opaque. It is particularly effective in rose-oud attars where natural rose absolute alone lacks sufficient diffusiveness.

BEST PAIRINGS

Rose Oxide → Intensifies and naturalises the rosy character; creates a hyper-realistic fresh rose effect
Geraniol → Adds green, citrus-tinged rose freshness; balances the fruity-tobacco edge of Beta Damascone
Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol → Provides soft, classic rose body that grounds Beta Damascone's radiance
Iso E Super → Adds woody, cedar-diffusive depth; creates a modern rosy-woody accord
Ambroxan → Skin-scent warmth amplifies the tobacco base note and adds longevity
Habanolide / Exaltolide → Musk frame that softens the intensity and carries the rose-fruity facets on skin
Oud / Agarwood bases → Classic attar pairing; Beta Damascone brightens oud and adds rosy dimension
Labdanum absolute → Deep, resinous pairing for chypre and oriental structures; accentuates tobacco warmth

AVOID
Avoid combining Beta Damascone with high concentrations of other potent rose ketones (alpha-damascone, delta-damascone, damascenone) without careful dose control — the cumulative effect can quickly become overpowering and unpleasant. Do not use alongside strong green aldehydes at elevated rates, as the combination can become harsh and metallic in character.

Of all the rose ketones I work with, Beta Damascone is the one I approach with the most respect — and the most anticipation. There is no other molecule that can transform a mediocre rose accord into something radiant and complex with a single addition, and no other molecule that can ruin a carefully constructed blend as quickly if used without discipline. What I find most fascinating about it is not the rose character itself — it is the tobacco, the smokiness, the dry woody undertone that appears as the molecule settles on skin. That tension between fruit and smoke, between brightness and darkness, is what makes the great rose fragrances feel like living things rather than linear constructions. Beta Damascone is not a modifier. It is a presence.

ADVANCED TIP : Build a working dilution series before committing it to any formula. Prepare four DPG solutions at 10%, 1%, 0.1%, and 0.01% concentration. Apply each to a separate strip and evaluate at 15 minutes, 2 hours, and 24 hours. This exercise will give you an intuitive feel for the molecule's threshold behaviour in your specific alcohol or carrier base and will prevent the most common error — adding it at a rate that seemed reasonable on paper but produces an overpowering, one-dimensional result on skin.

Physical State : Clear pale yellow liquid at room temperature
Skin Safety : Skin sensitizer — use only at IFRA-compliant levels; QRA required for leave-on products; avoid contact with undiluted material
Eye Contact : Irritant — avoid direct contact; flush immediately with water for 15 minutes if contact occurs; seek medical advice if irritation persists
Ingestion : Not for internal use; keep away from food, beverages, and oral care applications
Ventilation : Use in a well-ventilated workspace; avoid prolonged inhalation of vapour from undiluted material
Storage : Store tightly sealed in original amber glass or HDPE container; keep away from heat, light, and moisture; refrigeration recommended for long-term storage
Shelf Life : 24 to 36 months from manufacture when stored correctly in sealed containers away from light and heat; verify with supplier CoA for specific lot
Container : Amber glass or HDPE — avoid reactive metals and PVC; re-seal immediately after each use
Flammability : Combustible liquid — keep away from open flame; flash point approximately 88 – 95°C

Q: How much Beta Damascone should I use in a perfume?
A: Start at 0.01 to 0.02% of your total formula weight. This is extremely low but Beta Damascone is among the most potent aroma chemicals available. Evaluate on strip at 24 hours before increasing dosage.

Q: Is Beta Damascone safe to use in skin care products?
A: It can be used in leave-on skin care within IFRA-compliant limits — typically 0.02% or below in finished products. A QRA is mandatory for all leave-on applications. It is not recommended for sensitive skin, infant, or eye-area products.

Q: What is the difference between Beta Damascone and Delta Damascone?
A: Delta Damascone (CAS 57378-68-4) has a cleaner, more aldehydic rose-apple character and is somewhat less intense. Beta Damascone is fuller, smokier, and more tobacco-woody in its dry-down. The two are frequently used together to build complete, naturalistic rose accords.

Q: Can I use Beta Damascone in candles or reed diffusers without IFRA restrictions?
A: IFRA Category 11 covers non-skin-contact products and does not impose specific limits on Beta Damascone. However, you should still use it at sensible levels — typically 0.05 to 0.15% in the finished diffuser oil — since its extreme potency means higher concentrations add cost without meaningful olfactory improvement.

Q: How does Beta Damascone compare to natural rose absolute?
A: Natural rose absolute is an enormously complex material containing hundreds of trace molecules, with its damascone content typically under 1%. Beta Damascone in isolation reproduces only one dimension of that complexity — the rosy-fruity-tobacco facets — but does so with far greater intensity and consistency. The two are not interchangeable; professional formulators use Beta Damascone as a key element within a constructed rose accord, not as a standalone substitute for the natural.

Professional formulation workflow

Beta Damascone (10% in DPG) 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.