A Perfumer's Guide to Pure Perfumers Alcohol

Creating standout fragrances starts with a pristine solvent that delivers superior solubility, a clean neutral profile that never masks your essential oils or aroma molecules, and safety for skin and body. Although many perfumers’ alcohol products are available online, their purity and performance can vary greatly. This page will help you understand how pure, non-denatured 200 proof perfumers’ alcohol compares to denatured blends, how to verify what’s inside your perfumers’ alcohol, why sourcing USDA Certified Organic ingredients matters, and where to buy ultra-pure 200 proof perfumers’ alcohol from reputable suppliers for the best results in your homemade perfume and body-care recipes.

Jump to a Section on this page:

• What is Perfumers Alcohol?
• Quick Facts About Perfumers Alcohol.
• The Role of Perfumers Alcohol in Fragrance Creation.
• Perfumers Alcohol: Pure vs Denatured.
• What is the Best Alcohol for Perfume Making?
• Does Certified Organic matter for Perfumers Alcohol?
• Compliance and Safety Considerations for Perfumers Alcohol.
• How to buy Pure 200 Proof Perfumers Alcohol Online.

What is "Perfumers Alcohol"?

Perfumers alcohol is a volatile carrying agent used to topically deliver essential oils or other aromatic compounds onto the skin. 

Quick Facts About 200 Proof Perfumers Alcohol:

• "200 Proof" means 100% Alcohol by Volume.
• Products labeled as "pure perfumers alcohol" should contain only ethyl alcohol (ethanol).
• Denatured Alcohol sold as Perfumers Alcohol is a base of ethyl alcohol and one or more chemical additives, which serve the primary purpose of inhibiting consumption.  
• There are many approved formulas of denatured alcohol, indicated by their Specialty Denatured Alcohol (SDA) number like "SDA 40B" or "CDA 12A" on the label or listing. 
• Both pure and denatured alcohol for perfumers offers high evaporative rate (volatility) and superior solvent properties for both essential oils and water based fragrances.
• Some suppliers offer USDA Certified Organic Perfumers Alcohol Products, offering an additional assurance of purity and ingredient integrity.  
• Always read the label and listing of your perfumers alcohol before buying and ensure you are getting "200 Proof" and ethyl alcohol (isopropyl alcohol and other alcohol types are not recommended for homemade perfume recipes.  Look for the additional words "Denatured" or "Non-denatured" and understand the full ingredient list before putting on or in your body.
  
• Buy Pure USDA Organic 200 proof Perfumers Alcohol from CulinarySolvent.com in glass, pints, quarts, gallon, and bulk.

The Role of Perfumer's Alcohol in Fragrance Creation

Perfumer's alcohol acts as a crucial medium in perfume making, capturing and preserving the essence of fragrance notes. It dissolves essential oils and aroma compounds effectively, ensuring that the scent is released gradually and lasts longer. This makes it ideal for creating perfumes that maintain their complexity and depth over time.

The unique properties of perfumer's alcohol allow it to dissolve both oil-soluble and some water-soluble components, which helps in stabilizing the mixture and preventing the separation of ingredients. This solubility factor is key in achieving a clear and homogeneous solution, which is critical for high-quality perfume formulations. Many common perfume ingredients like citrus oils, musks, and floral extracts are more effectively utilized with perfumer's alcohol. It extracts the volatile aromas efficiently without altering their natural properties, ensuring that the perfume's fragrance remains true to the original scent profile of the ingredients.

High-quality alcohol impacts how a perfume is perceived. When first applied, alcohol carries the 'top notes'—the initial, lighter elements of the scent. As the alcohol evaporates, it reveals the 'heart notes'—the main body of the perfume. Finally, the 'base notes' remain, providing the enduring fragrance that lingers on the skin.

Will any alcohol work for perfume?

Well, no, not all alcohols are created equally.  As previously mentioned, only ethyl alcohol should be used for perfume recipes calling for alcohol as a base.  Isopropyl and methyl alcohol should never be used for perfume making.  Denatured alcohol (alcohol denat.) is ethyl alcohol with additives (denaturants) blended to certain minimum percentages according to the official formula filed with the TTB.

Perfumers Alcohol: Pure vs Denatured

Perfumer's alcohol is available in two distinct forms: pure ethyl alcohol, which is 100% free of additives, and "denatured" alcohol (also commonly called "Alcohol Denat."), which contains additives specifically to prevent ingestion. Among denatured alcohol blends, SDA 40B is the most widely used in commercial perfumery, originally formulated to avoid the excise tax imposed on pure ethyl alcohol. Now more than ever, as we become more conscious of the ingredients we apply to our skin and body, there are better alternatives for homemade perfume recipes that don't require the use of denatured alcohol blends and their toxic-additives.

Read More: Emerging evidence examining the side effects of denatonium benzoate in SDA40B exposure from denatured alcohol use.

About Choosing Denatured Alcohol for Perfume Recipes

Denatured alcohol for perfumers in the form of SDA 40b is popular and widespread from commercial processors to first-time hobbyists.  The specially denatured alcohol formula 40b contains the additives tert-Butyl alcohol and denatonium benzoate.  Most commercial perfumes are made with SDA40b alcohol, however these additives do nothing to enhance the effect or performance of the perfume recipe.  These toxic additives are included in SDA40b alcohol solely to in inhibit consumption of the perfumers alcohol.

Denatured Perfumers Alcohol (SDA 40B) is Not "Regulation Free"

Some states, like California, have placed an outright ban on denatured alcohol, including SDA40b for perfumers, due to the toxicity to the environment presented by the additives which make the alcohol denatured.  

While denatured alcohol purchase in states outside of California is possible without additional initial permit, there is a 5-gallon per year annual limit consumers may purchase without triggering additional Federal and tax registration requirements.  If you are a high-volume perfumer or commercial processor requiring more than 5 gallons of SDA40b per year, learn more about the regulations that trigger after 5 gallons of denatured alcohol use per year. **This 5-gallon limit applies to denatured alcohol only.  Pure perfumer's alcohol is taxed special by the TTB and thereby does not share this 5-gallon limitation.  Always double check your local state rules and regulations to ensure that you are in full compliance while working with pure 200 proof perfumers alcohol.

How to Identify the Ingredients (& Additives) in Your Perfumer's Alcohol

The term "alcohol" on a package or online listing doesn't alone guarantee purity of recipe, strength, or safety for skin applications including perfume recipes.  To go further, the term "alcohol" on a package doesn't signify the right kind of alcohol for perfume, either.  Selecting the best alcohol for perfume making doesn't have to be difficult, but the quantity of choices and products available today require that perfumers pay attention to the product's description or label to know exactly what they are working with.  Perfumers should always read the full description of the alcohol product to understand what is, or is not, blended into the alcohol labeled as "perfumers alcohol".

When shopping for perfumers alcohol, look for these key terms to understand exactly what's in your alcohol base. View our expanded blog post on perfumer's terms and terminology. 

What is the best alcohol for perfume making?

Without a doubt, pure ethyl alcohol is the best alcohol for perfume making recipes.  Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is miscible with fragrance oils, highly volatile for scent dispersion, easily diluted with water to modify the evaporative properties, naturally sourced from sustainable ingredients, has a proven track record for known side effects and body interactions.  Pure ethyl alcohol distilled from corn exhibits the most neutral aroma profile when compared to cane or grape.  200 proof ethyl alcohol has an indefinite shelf life, it does not expire if kept in a tightly sealed bottle.

Understanding the Basic Properties of Perfumer's Alcohol

Alcohol is superior to oil for perfumery because it exhibits excellent miscibility with oils and water, is highly volatile for aroma dispersion, and does not expire when stored properly.  

Miscibility with Oils and Water: Perfumer's alcohol is highly miscible, meaning it can blend seamlessly with fragrance oils to create a uniform mixture. This property allows the alcohol and oils to combine without separating or reaching saturation, ensuring a clear and consistent perfume solution. However, diluting 200 proof alcohol by adding water affects its alcohol by volume (ABV), potentially impacting the miscibility of some fragrance oils. At lower proofs, fragrance oils may not dissolve as fully, which can cause cloudiness or separation in the final product.

The Role of Volatility: Volatility is a critical property in perfumery, referring to how easily a substance vaporizes. Ethyl alcohol, whether in food-grade ethanol or SDA 40B denatured form, exhibits natural volatility, facilitating the release of fragrance notes into the air. The concentration of alcohol can influence volatility. Adding water or fragrance oils may reduce it, affecting how the perfume disperses and lingers.

Shelf Life Considerations: Pure perfumer's alcohol, undiluted by fragrance oils, maintains its quality indefinitely. However, incorporating fragrance oils or water can modify the shelf life of the resulting perfume. Each fragrance oil reacts differently, so there's no universal rule for how these additions change a perfume’s longevity. It's best to store undiluted perfumer's alcohol in its original container and keep completed perfumes in cool, dark places away from sunlight, children, and pets. Ensure containers, especially atomizers and misters, are airtight to prevent the perfume from degrading due to environmental changes.

Base Aroma

When crafting your perfume, the choice of perfumer's alcohol matters more than you might think. Even if your recipe includes a large amount of fragrance oils, the base aroma of your alcohol can influence the final scent. This is because not all alcohols are created equal. Despite being distilled to 190 proof and dehydrated to 200 proof, certain characteristics from the original raw materials can persist. These include esters and aldehydes that sneak into the final product, giving each type of alcohol, whether distilled from cane, grape, or corn, distinct flavor and aroma profiles. Additionally, denaturants added to some alcohols can introduce their own odors, which could affect the scent of your perfume. It's important to be aware of these nuances when selecting your alcohol base, even if it's a high-proof option like 200 proof food grade alcohol. Read detailed descriptions of alcohol distilled from various sources here to better understand how they might impact your creations.

Does Certified Organic Matter for Perfume Alcohol?

In perfume making, it's crucial that the alcohol base matches the high standards set by your fragrance oils. Today, perfumers have options that are better for both our bodies and the environment. Perfumer's alcohol bearing the USDA Certified Organic label meets stringent quality and traceability standards. For creators of organic perfumes, colognes, or body products, using USDA certified organic alcohol is vital to maintaining the organic integrity of their offerings. On the other hand, denatured alcohol usually fails to meet USDA organic standards, potentially barring your final product from being labeled as organic.

Compliance and Safety Considerations for Perfumers Alcohol 

When handling perfumer's alcohol, adhering to safety practices and legal regulations is crucial for both compliance and personal safety.

Safety Considerations Working with Perfumer's Alcohol

• Perfumer's Alcohol is highly flammable, both before diluting with fragrance oils, and in the final mixed form.  Do not smoke or work near the stove.  Extinguish all nearby flames when working with, or dispensing perfume or perfumers alcohol.
• Clean up spills immediately.  Absorb large puddles with dry cloth or paper towels.  Rinse rags and paper towels in the sink with cold water running before disposing of in trash.  Open a window to improve ventilation in the area where the spill occurred.
• Ensure adequate ventilation is available before working with perfumers alcohol.
• Store unused perfumers alcohol in a cool, dark place, away from sunlight, sources of heat, or flames.  Keep away from children and pets.  Always store unused alcohol in the original container it was purchased in.

Regulatory Considerations for Perfumers Alcohol

The sale, use, and use of pure perfumer's alcohol is governed by specific legal considerations that vary by US State. These regulations dictate how and where perfumer's alcohol can be used, as well as labeling and shipping requirements.

If you live in California, Florida, Maine, Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Hawaii, or Texas, you may purchase pure 200 Proof Perfumers Alcohol online without additional permit or steps, even considering that Everclear 190 proof is banned in those states.  Customers in Washington, Oregon, Virginia, and New York may purchase pure perfumers alcohol online by completing a quick state-specific permit application. 

Can I buy 200 Proof Perfumers Alcohol online?

Yes! We've done the regulation homework for you and researched the food grade ethanol rules for every state in the US. While some states have specific rules governing pure non-denatured ethyl alcohol for perfumes, most allow it without further permit or requirements.  View our map page to find your state's rules here.

How to Buy Pure Perfumers Alcohol Online

Homemade perfume recipes don't benefit from toxic additives, and your skin doesn't either. Buying 200 proof perfumers alcohol from CulinarySolvent.com is quick, easy, and convenient.

Additional Resources

• García-Valenzuela JA, Baez-Gaxiola MR. Comments on the Risks From Exposure to Denatonium Benzoate (Bitrex®): Denatured Alcohol Disinfection and Pandemic Times. International Journal of Toxicology. 2021;40(5):475-477. doi:10.1177/10915818211038498