This formula was discontinued and is one of my fave perfumes. Love💜💜💜
Ingredient Guide · Woody Musk
Woody Musk Family · Perfumery Note
Clearwood
A clean, musky woodiness for contemporary compositions.
Clearwood is a biotechnologically derived woody base note in perfumery, prized for its transparent, musky, and patchouli-like character. Its key component, (-)-patchoulol, imparts a persistent warmth and clarity without earthy heaviness.
Ingredient Profile
Clearwood
Woody Musk Family
The Ingredient
What does Clearwood smell like and why is it a modern perfumery breakthrough?
Clearwood is a biotechnologically engineered fragrance ingredient designed to replicate the luminous, woody qualities of patchouli without its earthy, musty undertones. Its scent profile is defined by a clean, transparent woodiness, subtle musky facets, and a soft amber warmth. The primary molecular component is (-)-patchoulol (C15H26O), a sesquiterpene alcohol also found in natural patchouli oil, but Clearwood is selectively enriched in this molecule while minimizing norpatchoulenol and pogostol, which are responsible for the musty and camphoraceous notes in patchouli. The result is a modern, persistent woody note that is both radiant and versatile. In perfumery, Clearwood functions primarily as a heart-to-base note, providing a smooth, long-lasting woody-amber foundation. It is typically used at concentrations ranging from 1% to 10% of a fragrance formula, depending on the desired intensity and role within the composition. Unlike traditional patchouli, Clearwood’s molecular simplicity ensures batch-to-batch consistency and a lack of coloration, making it ideal for minimalist, clean, and unisex fragrances. Its interaction with skin chemistry is marked by a stable, musky-woody persistence, with less risk of developing earthy or dirty nuances over time. Clearwood in perfumery is exemplified in contemporary fragrances such as Parfums de Marly Percival (2018), where it provides a clean, woody backbone, and Bvlgari Man Glacial Essence (2020), which leverages Clearwood’s transparent warmth to support icy citrus and musky notes. In Essential Parfums Patchouli Mania (2018), Clearwood is used to evoke patchouli’s depth without its typical heaviness, demonstrating its value as a sustainable, modern alternative to natural woody materials.
7+ Days
Clearwood’s longevity on a smelling strip exceeds 168 hours, due to its high patchoulol content and low volatility, making it a top choice for persistent woody bases.
100%
IFRA permits Clearwood at up to 100% concentration in finished products, reflecting its excellent safety profile and minimal allergenicity.
$80–$150/kg
The cost of Clearwood is significantly lower than high-grade natural patchouli oil, supporting sustainable, scalable fragrance production.
Origin & Extraction
Where Clearwood Comes From — Origin & Extraction
Clearwood’s scent character is shaped by its biotechnological origin, with production hubs in Switzerland, France, and the United States. The use of sugarcane feedstock and fermentation ensures a consistent, clean woody profile, independent of agricultural variables.
Clearwood is a proprietary biotechnological ingredient developed by Firmenich and introduced to the fragrance industry in 2014. Unlike traditional woody notes extracted from plant biomass, Clearwood is produced via white biotechnology: the fermentation of renewable sugar feedstocks (primarily sugarcane) using engineered yeast strains. The process selectively converts these sugars into (-)-patchoulol and related sesquiterpenes, while minimizing the formation of norpatchoulenol, pogostol, and other earthy-smelling components. The resulting mixture is then purified by distillation to yield a pale yellow to amber liquid with a high concentration of patchoulol. The primary production sites for Clearwood are in Switzerland (Firmenich headquarters), France, and the United States, reflecting the global reach of Firmenich’s manufacturing network. Production volumes are proprietary, but Clearwood is now widely available for both fine fragrance and functional applications. The cost of Clearwood is significantly lower than high-grade natural patchouli oil, with prices typically ranging from $80–$150 per kilogram, compared to $300–$600/kg for patchouli essential oil of comparable olfactory quality. The use of sugarcane as a feedstock and fermentation-based synthesis reduces land use, water consumption, and environmental impact relative to traditional patchouli cultivation, which is concentrated in Indonesia and subject to agricultural volatility. Clearwood’s dual CAS numbers (84238-39-1 for EU/China/Taiwan, 1450625-49-6 for US/CA/KR/AU/PH) reflect its regulatory status as a proprietary mixture rather than a single molecule. The ingredient is IFRA-approved for use at up to 100% in finished products, with no known safety restrictions. Its sustainable production and batch-to-batch consistency have made it a model for next-generation fragrance materials.
CH
Switzerland
Firmenich’s Geneva facility is the primary innovation center for Clearwood, producing high-purity batches with strict quality control. Swiss production is known for regulatory compliance and batch consistency, setting the global standard for biotechnological fragrance ingredients.
FR
France
French manufacturing leverages Grasse’s expertise in fragrance technology, ensuring Clearwood’s integration into both fine fragrance and personal care. French batches are prized for their traceability and adherence to IFRA and EU safety standards.
US
United States
US production focuses on large-scale fermentation using renewable sugarcane, with an emphasis on sustainability and supply chain transparency. American batches are widely used in mainstream and niche perfumery, supporting the global shift toward green chemistry.
Chemistry
Natural vs Synthetic Clearwood in Perfumery
Clearwood is a biotechnologically derived ingredient, not a direct natural extract. Its primary molecular component, (-)-patchoulol (CAS 522-44-1), is also found in natural patchouli oil, but Clearwood is selectively enriched in this alcohol while minimizing norpatchoulenol, pogostol, and other minor sesquiterpenes. Other synthetic woody-amber molecules often used in similar contexts include Iso E Super (CAS 54464-57-2), Ambroxan (CAS 6790-58-5), and Cashmeran (CAS 33704-61-9). Compared to natural patchouli, Clearwood offers a cleaner, less earthy scent profile, greater stability, and no batch-to-batch olfactory variation. Performance-wise, Clearwood delivers medium to high odor strength, with longevity exceeding 7 days on a smelling strip and excellent fixative properties in both fine fragrance and personal care. Its molecular simplicity ensures minimal color and excellent solubility, making it suitable for transparent, minimalist compositions. The cost advantage is substantial: Clearwood is typically $80–$150/kg, while natural patchouli oil ranges from $300–$600/kg and can be subject to supply chain volatility. Famous fragrances using Clearwood include Parfums de Marly Percival, Bvlgari Man Glacial Essence, and Essential Parfums Patchouli Mania, all of which leverage its clean woody-musk character. From a sustainability perspective, Clearwood’s fermentation-based production reduces agricultural land use and environmental impact. CA Perfume’s HumanSafe™ platform verifies the ingredient’s traceability, allergen transparency, and batch consistency, supporting responsible sourcing and consumer confidence.
Natural
Clearwood Absolute
Cost
$3,000–6,000/kg
Method
Solvent / CO₂
Character
Complex, variable
vs
Synthetic
Safranal & Analogues
Cost
$50–200/kg
Method
Lab synthesis
Character
Consistent, stable
Hall of Fame
Famous Fragrances That Define Clearwood in Perfumery
2018
dominant note
Percival
Parfums de Marly
by Hamid Merati-Kashani
citruslavenderambroxanmusk
2020
bridge note
Pour Femme Dylan Turquoise
Versace
by Sophie Labbé
lemonguavajasminemusk
2018
dominant note
Patchouli Mania
Essential Parfums
by Nathalie Gracia-Cetto
cocoasandalwoodtonka bean
2021
accent
The Dandy
Penhaligon's
by Fabrice Pellegrin
irisvetivermusk
2020
supporting note
Man Glacial Essence
Bvlgari
by Alberto Morillas
junipersandalwoodcedarmusk
Clearwood has become a signature ingredient in modern perfumery, particularly in compositions seeking a clean, transparent woody base without the earthy heaviness of natural patchouli. Parfums de Marly Percival (2018, perfumer Hamid Merati-Kashani) uses Clearwood as a dominant note, providing a luminous, musky-woody foundation that supports citrus, lavender, and ambroxan. Versace Pour Femme Dylan Turquoise (2020, Sophie Labbé) employs Clearwood as a bridge note, linking bright citrus and florals to a soft, woody-musk base. Essential Parfums Patchouli Mania (2018, Nathalie Gracia-Cetto) demonstrates Clearwood’s ability to evoke patchouli’s depth without its characteristic dirtiness, functioning as a dominant note paired with cocoa and sandalwood. Penhaligon’s The Dandy (2021, Fabrice Pellegrin) uses Clearwood as an accent, adding modern woody clarity to a composition built on iris, vetiver, and musks. Bvlgari Man Glacial Essence (2020, Alberto Morillas) leverages Clearwood as a supporting note, enhancing the icy freshness of juniper and sandalwood with a persistent, clean woody-amber base. These fragrances illustrate Clearwood’s versatility across gender, genre, and olfactory intent. CA Perfume’s collection draws inspiration from this lineage, offering contemporary woody-musk compositions that highlight Clearwood’s transparent warmth.
The Accord
How is a captivating Clearwood accord crafted?
A Clearwood accord balances its transparent woody-musk core with complementary notes that enhance both clarity and warmth. Typical proportions: Clearwood 35–40%, Iso E Super 20–25%, Jasmine 15–20%, Benzoin 20–25%. Iso E Super amplifies the airy, diffusive woodiness; jasmine adds floral lift and complexity via shared indole and linalool content; benzoin introduces a sweet, balsamic undertone that stabilizes the blend and extends longevity.
40%
Clearwood
35–40% of blend
Provides the transparent, musky-woody backbone, enriched in (-)-patchoulol for persistence without earthy heaviness.
25%
Iso E Super
20–25% of blend
Adds airy, diffusive woodiness and enhances molecular lift through its high volatility and low odor threshold.
20%
Jasmine
15–20% of blend
Introduces floral complexity and a touch of indolic warmth, bridging Clearwood’s woody core with top notes.
25%
Benzoin
20–25% of blend
Contributes sweet, balsamic depth and acts as a fixative, stabilizing the accord and extending longevity.
The Olfactory Layers
How Clearwood Evolves on Skin
Clearwood’s olfactory evolution is marked by a bright, transparent opening, a persistent woody-musk heart, and a smooth, ambery base. Its high patchoulol content ensures slow evaporation and long-lasting diffusion, with minimal top note volatility.
I
Top notes
0–15 min
Sheer Woody Opening
Clearwood’s initial impression is clean, transparent, and slightly mineral, with subtle citrus or herbal facets if paired in a blend. The absence of high-volatility terpenes means the top is understated, dominated by the early diffusion of patchoulol and trace aldehydes.
cleantransparentmineral
II
Heart notes
20–60 min
Musky Amber Heart
The heart reveals Clearwood’s core: a musky, woody warmth with soft amber undertones. (-)-Patchoulol dominates, supported by minor sesquiterpenes, providing smooth persistence and a gentle, enveloping character without earthy or camphoraceous facets.
woodymuskyamber
III
Base notes
Several hours
Smooth Amber Drydown
In the drydown, Clearwood’s ambery-musk profile persists for hours, with patchoulol’s high molecular weight ensuring slow evaporation. The base is smooth, subtly sweet, and skin-like, with excellent fixative properties that extend the life of lighter notes.
persistentsmoothskin-like
Through the Ages
The Story of Clearwood in Perfumery
Clearwood’s history traces the evolution of green chemistry and sustainable fragrance design, from patchouli’s 19th-century rise to the biotech revolution of the 2010s.
19th Century
Patchouli’s Rise in Perfumery
Patchouli oil, rich in patchoulol, becomes a staple in European perfumery, valued for its earthy, persistent character in chypres and orientals.
2008–2012
Biotechnological Breakthroughs
Firmenich develops white biotechnology processes to ferment sugarcane into fragrance molecules, paving the way for sustainable alternatives to traditional extracts.
2014
Clearwood Launches
Firmenich introduces Clearwood as the first commercially successful biotech-derived woody ingredient, enriched in (-)-patchoulol and free from patchouli’s musty notes.
2018
Mainstream Adoption
Clearwood features in major launches such as Parfums de Marly Percival and Essential Parfums Patchouli Mania, establishing its role in modern, clean woody compositions.
2024
Clearwood Prisma Debuts
Firmenich unveils Clearwood Prisma, a concentrated version for high-impact applications, further expanding the ingredient’s versatility and sustainability profile.
The Art of Layering
How to Layer Clearwood
Understanding how to layer Clearwood involves leveraging its molecular compatibility with florals, citruses, and musks. The 'how to layer clearwood' approach focuses on olfactory synergy and fixative effects.
01
Enhance Florals
Layering Clearwood with jasmine or rose creates a seamless bridge, as indole and linalool in florals interact with patchoulol’s musky-woody core. This molecular overlap produces a balanced, persistent floral-woody accord, as seen in Versace Pour Femme Dylan Turquoise.
02
Brighten with Citrus
Combining Clearwood with bergamot or lemon leverages the volatility of citrus terpenes, which lift Clearwood’s transparency and add freshness. The citrus top notes evaporate quickly, leaving Clearwood’s musky-amber base to anchor the composition, as in Bvlgari Man Glacial Essence.
03
Deepen with Musk
Pairing Clearwood with synthetic musks (e.g., Ambrettolide, Galaxolide) enhances the skin-like, persistent quality of the drydown. The shared molecular weight and low odor threshold create a smooth, enveloping finish, exemplified in Parfums de Marly Percival.
Wear It Right
How to Wear Clearwood Like a Pro
Seasonal Guide
Fall & Winter
In cooler temperatures, Clearwood’s woody-amber base becomes more subdued, with projection and sillage reduced due to lower volatility. Apply to pulse points and layer with spicy or resinous notes to enhance warmth and persistence.
Spring
Mild temperatures allow Clearwood’s clean, musky facets to shine. Pair with floral or citrus notes for a fresh, uplifting effect. Apply lightly to avoid overwhelming lighter top notes.
Summer
Heat increases Clearwood’s volatility, amplifying projection and revealing its transparent, woody character. Use sparingly and consider layering with green or citrus accords for a breezy, modern effect.
Year-Round Tip
Clearwood’s molecular stability and lack of earthy undertones make it suitable for year-round wear. Adjust application amount and layering partners to suit climate and personal style.
Application Points
Strategic application of Clearwood-rich fragrances optimizes projection and longevity while highlighting its transparent woody-musk character.
1
Neck
Applying Clearwood to the neck leverages body heat to enhance diffusion, allowing the musky-woody facets to radiate and interact with ambient air for a persistent sillage.
2
Behind the Ears
This pulse point provides gentle warmth, supporting a gradual release of Clearwood’s transparent, ambery notes throughout the day.
3
Inner Wrists
The warmth and movement of the wrists accelerate the evaporation of top notes, revealing Clearwood’s heart and base more quickly and allowing for subtle, personal projection.
4
Hair
Spraying Clearwood-based fragrances on hair fibers enables slow, sustained release, as the ingredient’s high molecular weight adheres well to keratin, prolonging the scent’s presence.
★
Pro Tip
Layer Clearwood with lighter top notes on pulse points for a dynamic evolution, or use as a base layer to anchor more volatile ingredients and extend overall longevity.
Mood Architecture™
Top Clearwood Fragrances by Mood Score
These Clearwood-based fragrances scored highest on the MEI™ Mood Architecture Framework — measuring how a scent may influence your emotional state.
Highest MEI Score
7.61
MEI™
Primary
Romantic
Secondary
Confident
Confidence
7.22
Presence
7.58
Mood Lift
8.24
Identity
7.14
Warmth
8.05
Social Ease
7.69
Energy
4.9
HumanSafe™
Top Clearwood Fragrances by HumanSafe™ Score
These Clearwood-based fragrances have the highest product-level HumanSafe™ scores in this ingredient collection.
Highest HumanSafe™ Score
A-
HumanSafe™ Score
Generally Safe
Safest Evaluated Ingredients
EDP
AQUA
Solvent / Carrier
ISS 10.0
7-OCTEN-2-OL, 2,6-DIMETHYL-
Evaluated ingredient
ISS 9.0
4H-INDEN-4-ONE, 1,2,3,5,6,7-HEXAHYDRO-1,1,2,3,3-
Evaluated ingredient
ISS 9.0
LINALYL ACETATE
Evaluated ingredient
ISS 7.0
LINALOOL
Evaluated ingredient
ISS 7.0
CITRONELLOL
Evaluated ingredient
ISS 7.0
Expert Voices
What Masters Say About Clearwood
“
Clearwood delivers all the rewards of modern ingredient design. Beaming with light, it offers the creamy warmth of amber and a dark woody character reminiscent of patchouli.
“
Clearwood’s molecular profile is simpler than full patchouli oil: enriched in (-)-patchoulol with reduced norpatchoulenol, pogostol, and other minor sesquiterpenes that contribute patchouli's characteristic mustiness.
Explore Further
Other Signature Ingredients
Clearwood’s transparent woody-musk character pairs well with a range of complementary ingredients in modern perfumery.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about Clearwood’s scent, use, and performance in perfumery.
Clearwood in perfume smells clean, woody, and musky, with a transparent amber warmth and no earthy or musty undertones. Its scent profile is dominated by (-)-patchoulol, offering a persistent, modern woody character that is both radiant and versatile. Unlike natural patchouli, Clearwood is free from camphoraceous or dirty notes, making it ideal for contemporary, minimalist, and unisex fragrances.
Clearwood functions primarily as a heart-to-base note in fragrance compositions. Its high molecular weight and low volatility ensure long-lasting diffusion, anchoring lighter top and heart notes while providing a smooth, musky-woody foundation. It is rarely used as a top note, but its transparency allows it to bridge between the heart and base seamlessly.
Clearwood is favored in niche perfumery for its ability to deliver patchouli-like depth without the earthy, musty facets of natural patchouli. Its biotechnological origin ensures batch consistency, sustainability, and a clean, modern scent profile. Niche brands value Clearwood for its versatility in woody, musky, and amber compositions, as well as its compatibility with minimalist and gender-neutral fragrance trends.
Clearwood fragrance uses often involve pairing with florals (jasmine, rose), citruses (bergamot, lemon), musks, and other woody notes (sandalwood, Iso E Super). These combinations leverage molecular compatibility—shared indole, linalool, and musky facets—to create balanced, persistent accords. Clearwood also works well with amber and balsamic notes for added warmth.
Yes, Clearwood’s clean, transparent woody character makes it suitable for summer and hot weather. Its molecular stability ensures consistent performance, while its lack of earthy heaviness prevents it from becoming overwhelming in heat. For summer, layer Clearwood with citrus or green notes for a fresh, breezy effect.
Clearwood fragrances are known for their longevity, with persistence exceeding 7 days on a smelling strip and several hours on skin. Its high patchoulol content and low volatility ensure a slow, steady evaporation, making it an excellent fixative and base for extending the life of lighter notes.
Yes, Clearwood is highly compatible for layering due to its transparent, musky-woody profile. It can be used as a base layer to anchor more volatile top notes or combined with florals, citruses, or musks to create custom accords. Its molecular simplicity ensures smooth transitions and balanced evolution across layered scents.
For those new to Clearwood, recommended entry-point fragrances include Parfums de Marly Percival, Bvlgari Man Glacial Essence, and Essential Parfums Patchouli Mania. These compositions showcase Clearwood’s clean, modern woody character in accessible, versatile formats suitable for a wide range of preferences.
Selecting a Clearwood fragrance at CA Perfume involves considering your preferred olfactory family (woody, musky, floral, or amber) and desired intensity. Explore the collection’s scent profiles and layering guides to find a composition that matches your style and seasonal needs. The HumanSafe™ platform provides transparency on ingredient sourcing and safety.
Clearwood smells clean and transparent, with a musky-woody character and soft amber warmth. It lacks the smoky, earthy, or dirty notes often found in natural patchouli or vetiver, making it ideal for modern, minimalist, and unisex fragrances that prioritize clarity and persistence.
Woody Musk Collection
Explore Our Top Clearwood Fragrances
Discover CA Perfume’s best-selling Clearwood compositions, each highlighting the ingredient’s clean, musky-woody character and modern versatility.
Shop all clearwood fragrances at CA Perfume →Where Clearwood Comes From — Origin & Extraction
Clearwood is a proprietary biotechnological ingredient developed by Firmenich and introduced to the fragrance industry in 2014. Unlike traditional woody notes extracted from plant biomass, Clearwood is produced via white biotechnology: the fermentation of renewable sugar feedstocks (primarily sugarcane) using engineered yeast strains. The process selectively converts these sugars into (-)-patchoulol and related sesquiterpenes, while minimizing the formation of norpatchoulenol, pogostol, and other earthy-smelling components. The resulting mixture is then purified by distillation to yield a pale yellow to amber liquid with a high concentration of patchoulol. The primary production sites for Clearwood are in Switzerland (Firmenich headquarters), France, and the United States, reflecting the global reach of Firmenich’s manufacturing network. Production volumes are proprietary, but Clearwood is now widely available for both fine fragrance and functional applications. The cost of Clearwood is significantly lower than high-grade natural patchouli oil, with prices typically ranging from $80–$150 per kilogram, compared to $300–$600/kg for patchouli essential oil of comparable olfactory quality. The use of sugarcane as a feedstock and fermentation-based synthesis reduces land use, water consumption, and environmental impact relative to traditional patchouli cultivation, which is concentrated in Indonesia and subject to agricultural volatility. Clearwood’s dual CAS numbers (84238-39-1 for EU/China/Taiwan, 1450625-49-6 for US/CA/KR/AU/PH) reflect its regulatory status as a proprietary mixture rather than a single molecule. The ingredient is IFRA-approved for use at up to 100% in finished products, with no known safety restrictions. Its sustainable production and batch-to-batch consistency have made it a model for next-generation fragrance materials.
Famous Fragrances That Define Clearwood in Perfumery
Clearwood has become a signature ingredient in modern perfumery, particularly in compositions seeking a clean, transparent woody base without the earthy heaviness of natural patchouli. Parfums de Marly Percival (2018, perfumer Hamid Merati-Kashani) uses Clearwood as a dominant note, providing a luminous, musky-woody foundation that supports citrus, lavender, and ambroxan. Versace Pour Femme Dylan Turquoise (2020, Sophie Labbé) employs Clearwood as a bridge note, linking bright citrus and florals to a soft, woody-musk base. Essential Parfums Patchouli Mania (2018, Nathalie Gracia-Cetto) demonstrates Clearwood’s ability to evoke patchouli’s depth without its characteristic dirtiness, functioning as a dominant note paired with cocoa and sandalwood. Penhaligon’s The Dandy (2021, Fabrice Pellegrin) uses Clearwood as an accent, adding modern woody clarity to a composition built on iris, vetiver, and musks. Bvlgari Man Glacial Essence (2020, Alberto Morillas) leverages Clearwood as a supporting note, enhancing the icy freshness of juniper and sandalwood with a persistent, clean woody-amber base. These fragrances illustrate Clearwood’s versatility across gender, genre, and olfactory intent. CA Perfume’s collection draws inspiration from this lineage, offering contemporary woody-musk compositions that highlight Clearwood’s transparent warmth.
Natural vs Synthetic Clearwood in Perfumery
Clearwood is a biotechnologically derived ingredient, not a direct natural extract. Its primary molecular component, (-)-patchoulol (CAS 522-44-1), is also found in natural patchouli oil, but Clearwood is selectively enriched in this alcohol while minimizing norpatchoulenol, pogostol, and other minor sesquiterpenes. Other synthetic woody-amber molecules often used in similar contexts include Iso E Super (CAS 54464-57-2), Ambroxan (CAS 6790-58-5), and Cashmeran (CAS 33704-61-9). Compared to natural patchouli, Clearwood offers a cleaner, less earthy scent profile, greater stability, and no batch-to-batch olfactory variation. Performance-wise, Clearwood delivers medium to high odor strength, with longevity exceeding 7 days on a smelling strip and excellent fixative properties in both fine fragrance and personal care. Its molecular simplicity ensures minimal color and excellent solubility, making it suitable for transparent, minimalist compositions. The cost advantage is substantial: Clearwood is typically $80–$150/kg, while natural patchouli oil ranges from $300–$600/kg and can be subject to supply chain volatility. Famous fragrances using Clearwood include Parfums de Marly Percival, Bvlgari Man Glacial Essence, and Essential Parfums Patchouli Mania, all of which leverage its clean woody-musk character. From a sustainability perspective, Clearwood’s fermentation-based production reduces agricultural land use and environmental impact. CA Perfume’s HumanSafe™ platform verifies the ingredient’s traceability, allergen transparency, and batch consistency, supporting responsible sourcing and consumer confidence.
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