Vertofix Coeur

✦ Semi-synthetic woody aroma chemical derived from cedarwood, delivering a warm dry amber-cedar effect with soft musky radiance
✦ Functions as both a base note and fixative, significantly improving longevity and sillage in any fragrance composition
✦ One of the most widely used woody materials in professional perfumery — present in hundreds of designer and niche releases globally
✦ Highly versatile across fragrance families including woody, floral, oriental, fresh, and fougère
✦ Excellent performance in cosmetic and personal care applications — stable in lotions, hair care, and rinse-off products
✦ Vegan and not animal-derived — manufactured synthetically from cedarwood-sourced cedrol
✦ Blends seamlessly with musks, ambers, woods, florals, and citrus — making it ideal for both simple accords and complex structures

Vertofix Coeur is a proprietary aroma chemical developed by IFF (International Flavors and Fragrances) and belongs to the class of cedryl ketones, specifically Methyl Cedryl Ketone. It is semi-synthetic in origin, produced through acetylation of cedrol, a sesquiterpene alcohol naturally found in cedarwood oil. Since its introduction into professional fragrance use, it has become one of the most referenced woody base materials in modern perfumery, prized for its transparency, diffusibility, and ability to lift and project a composition without dominating it.

What makes Vertofix Coeur exceptional is its unique character — it is not a harsh or sharp cedar but rather a radiant, smooth, almost luminous woodiness with a subtle amber warmth and clean musky depth. It does not behave like a typical single-facet material. Instead it amplifies surrounding notes, makes florals feel deeper, makes musks smell more polished, and gives oriental blends a soft cedarwood spine. Perfumers often describe it as a "woody amplifier" that adds presence without adding weight. Its tenacity is very high, and even small percentages contribute meaningfully to the overall dry-down.

Rabibazaar supplies cosmetic-grade Vertofix Coeur suitable for independent perfumers, attar makers, beauty product formulators, and home fragrance crafters who require a reliable, high-performance woody base material.

SCENT DESCRIPTION : Vertofix Coeur opens with a clean, dry, slightly smoky cedarwood facet that quickly settles into a warm amber-woody core. The character is radiant and luminous rather than heavy — it projects outward with a soft diffusive quality that fills space without overpowering. In the dry-down, a delicate musky undertone emerges, adding skin-like warmth and depth. The overall impression is polished, modern, and versatile — simultaneously earthy and refined.

NOTE POSITION : Base (with mid-to-base bridging at higher concentrations)

FRAGRANCE FAMILY : Woody / Amber / Musky

FACETS : Cedarwood · Dry Amber · Smoky · Clean Musk · Earthy Warmth

TENACITY : Very High — 48 to 72 hours on skin strips; excellent substantivity on fabric

SILLAGE : Medium to High — projects well in alcohol-based formats; diffusive and radiant even at low concentrations

Chemical Name : Methyl Cedryl Ketone (Acetyl Cedrene)
CAS Number : 32388-55-9
Synonyms : Vertofix Coeur, Acetyl Cedrene, Cedryl Methyl Ketone, 1-(2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-1,2,3,3-tetramethyl-1H-inden-5-yl)ethanone
Purity : 95% minimum (verify exact batch certificate with supplier)
Appearance : Colorless to pale yellow clear liquid
Odor Threshold : Approximately 0.5 – 2 ppb (very potent at trace levels)
Solubility : Freely soluble in ethanol, IPM, DPG, and most fragrance solvents; insoluble in water
Specific Gravity : 0.970 – 0.980 g/cm³ at 20°C
Flash Point : Approximately 100°C (212°F)
Type : Semi-synthetic

Fine Fragrance ★★★★★
Vertofix Coeur is a cornerstone material in fine fragrance. It functions as both a structural base note and a fixative that anchors top and heart notes for extended wear. Suitable for EDPs and EDTs across all fragrance families — woody, floral, oriental, fresh, and fougère.

Attar & Oriental Blending ★★★★★
In attar and oriental perfumery, Vertofix Coeur adds a clean, modern woody depth that complements oud, sandalwood, rose, and amber bases without overwhelming them. It provides a transparent cedarwood backbone that elevates traditional compositions with contemporary refinement.

Functional Fragrance ★★★★
Performs well in deodorants, body sprays, and antiperspirant formulations where longevity and woody character are desired. Its stability across various product matrices and its effective odor-masking properties make it a practical choice for functional applications.

Cosmetics ★★★★
Stable in creams, lotions, and hair care products at recommended usage rates. Adds a sophisticated woody warmth to leave-on and rinse-off formulas without significant stability or discoloration concerns at normal usage levels.

Home Fragrance ★★★★
Performs effectively in reed diffusers and wax melts. In candles it provides acceptable woody warmth, though some throw reduction may occur at very high temperatures. Excellent in room sprays and linen mists where its diffusive character shines.

RECOMMENDED USAGE RATES

Application : Suggested Use Level
EDP : 8 – 20%
EDT : 5 – 12%
Body Lotion : 1 – 3%
Shampoo/Body Wash : 0.5 – 1.5%
Candle : 5 – 10%
Reed Diffuser : 15 – 30%
Bar Soap : 1 – 3%

IFRA 51ST AMENDMENT LIMITS (Methyl Cedryl Ketone / Acetyl Cedrene)

Vertofix Coeur (Acetyl Cedrene, CAS 32388-55-9) is listed in the IFRA Standards. Limits vary by application category. Below are key category limits:

IFRA Category 4 (Fine Fragrance) : No restriction listed — use at safe and effective levels
IFRA Category 5A (Body Lotion, leave-on) : Verify current IFRA 51st Amendment certificate
IFRA Category 9 (Rinse-off body/hair) : Verify current IFRA 51st Amendment certificate

⚠️ Always verify the current IFRA 51st Amendment standard for each application category directly from the official IFRA website or your supplier's SDS before finalizing usage rates.
⚠️ While Vertofix Coeur has a favorable safety profile, skin sensitization is possible in individuals with specific chemical sensitivities at high concentrations. Conduct a patch test protocol for leave-on cosmetic applications.
⚠️ Not for internal or oral use under any circumstances.

USAGE METHOD 1 — Alcoholic Fragrance Base
Dilute Vertofix Coeur in perfumer's alcohol (96% ethanol or IPM blend) before combining with other materials. Start at 8–12% in your final formula. Allow the fragrance to macerate for 48–72 hours before evaluating the dry-down. The woody warmth deepens noticeably after resting.

USAGE METHOD 2 — Carrier-Based Attar or Oil Perfume
Add Vertofix Coeur directly to a non-polar carrier such as fractionated coconut oil, jojoba, or DPG at 5–15%. It blends easily and does not require heat. Allow 24 hours of resting time for full integration with resinous or oud-based materials.

USAGE METHOD 3 — Cosmetic Formulation
Incorporate into the oil phase of emulsions or directly into finished product bases (lotion, conditioner, body wash) at 0.5–2%. Premix with a compatible co-solvent such as isopropyl myristate or polysorbate 20 for rinse-off applications to ensure even dispersion.

BEST PAIRINGS

Iso E Super → Intensifies woody radiance and adds a transparent cedar-bark quality
Ambroxan → Creates a smooth, skin-warm woody-amber accord with excellent tenacity
Galaxolide → Adds a clean musky roundness that softens the dryness of Vertofix
Sandalwood (Mysore or synthetic) → Deepens the creamy cedar accord with soft milky woody depth
Hedione / Jasmate → Introduces a radiant floral-jasmine bridge over the cedarwood base
Vetiver (Haiti or synthetic) → Creates a smoky earthy-woody foundation with excellent complexity
Rose Absolute or Otto → The dry woody warmth of Vertofix lifts and amplifies rose's heart beautifully
Cistus / Labdanum → Adds resinous amber-leather depth for oriental and animalic compositions

AVOID

Avoid combining at very high concentrations with strong chlorine-based functional ingredients in detergent applications — stability may be affected. At very high levels (above 25% in final formula) the material can become sharp and linear — use supporting musks and resins to maintain balance.

Working with Vertofix Coeur over the years has taught me one consistent lesson — less is often more, but more is often better than you think. This material occupies a unique middle ground between structure and transparency. Unlike dense woods that anchor a formula to the bottom, Vertofix lifts. It radiates upward. When I drop it into a floral composition at even 5%, the flowers stop being flat and start breathing. When I push it to 15% in an EDP, the whole formula acquires a luminous woody skeleton that makes lesser ingredients disappear gracefully. It is the kind of raw material that makes average blends smell professional and professional blends smell extraordinary.

ADVANCED TIP
Try building a "cedarwood triplet" using Vertofix Coeur at 10% alongside Iso E Super at 8% and a small amount of Cedryl Acetate at 3% in your base structure. Each material brings a distinct facet of cedar — Vertofix contributes warmth and radiance, Iso E Super adds transparent bark-like depth, and Cedryl Acetate introduces a soft waxy-woody roundness. This triplet creates a full-spectrum cedarwood base that outperforms any single cedar material and serves as an excellent backbone for woody floral, fougère, and oriental compositions.

Physical State : Clear to pale yellow liquid at room temperature
Skin Safety : Generally safe at recommended usage rates; patch test advised for leave-on products at elevated concentrations; avoid undiluted application to skin
Eye Contact : Irritant — avoid contact; rinse immediately with plenty of clean water if contact occurs and seek medical attention if irritation persists
Ingestion : Do not ingest; keep away from food, beverages, and food surfaces
Ventilation : Use in a well-ventilated space; avoid prolonged inhalation of vapors or mist during formulation
Storage : Store in a cool, dry location away from heat, direct sunlight, and sources of ignition; ideal storage temperature 15–25°C
Shelf Life : 24–36 months when stored correctly in a sealed container away from light and heat
Container : Store in original tightly sealed amber glass or HDPE container; avoid reactive metals
Flammability : Combustible liquid — flash point approximately 100°C; keep away from open flames and high heat sources during use and storag

Q: What is Vertofix Coeur and what does it smell like?
A: Vertofix Coeur is a semi-synthetic aroma chemical with a smooth, warm, dry cedarwood-amber scent. It has a radiant, diffusive quality with a soft musky undertone in the dry-down.

Q: At what percentage should a beginner use Vertofix Coeur in a perfume?
A: Start between 5% and 10% of your total formula in an EDP or oil perfume. Evaluate after 48 hours of resting, then adjust upward if more woody depth is needed.

Q: Is Vertofix Coeur safe for skin-contact products like body lotion?
A: Yes, at recommended levels (1–3% in finished product) it is generally considered safe. Always verify current IFRA limits for leave-on applications and perform a patch test before full-scale production.

Q: Can Vertofix Coeur be used in candles and diffusers?
A: Yes. In reed diffusers it performs very well at 15–30% of the fragrance load. In candles it is functional at 5–10%, though some throw variation may occur depending on wax type and pour temperature.

Q: How does Vertofix Coeur compare to natural cedarwood essential oil?
A: Natural cedarwood essential oil (Atlas or Virginian) is softer, more linear, and less tenacious than Vertofix Coeur. Vertofix Coeur is significantly more radiant, diffusive, and long-lasting, and it projects far better in alcoholic formats. It also carries a subtle amber-musky character that natural cedarwood lacks, making it more versatile as a building block in complex compositions rather than a direct replacement.

Professional formulation workflow

Vertofix Coeur 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.