What does candlewood smell like in perfume? Candlewood smells mild, warm and balsamic, a smooth, gently sweet wood. It adds a soft, glowing warmth to florals.
| Botanical name | Resin-rich wood (traditional name ‘candlewood’) |
|---|---|
| Plant part | Wood |
| Origin | The Caribbean and Central America |
| Extraction | Steam distillation |
| Note | Heart |
| Scent family | Woods & Resins |
| Odour | Mild, warm and balsamic wood, smooth and gently sweet |
| Perfume uses | Woody florals and soft ambers |
| Key molecules | Sesquiterpene alcohols |
| Odour impact | Low |
| Odour life on a strip | Long: a day or more |
| Found in | Jacinth Jonquil, Neroli Nuance |
Used within IFRA limits. Impact and odour life are our own studio guide, judged on a smelling strip.
What Is Candlewood?
Candlewood is a traditional name for resin-rich woods that burn brightly, like candles. Its oil is distilled from the wood and has a soft, balsamic scent.
What Does Candlewood Smell Like?
Here is how strongly each facet of candlewood comes through, from our own smelling-strip notes.
Woody
Smooth, warm wood.
Balsamic
A soft, resinous sweetness.
Sweet
A gentle sweetness.
Warm
A glowing, rounding note.
How Perfumers Use Candlewood
Perfumers use candlewood as a soft, woody base for florals, smoothing transitions between notes and adding warmth.
Why ‘candlewood’
The name comes from the way these resin-rich woods were once lit as torches, burning with a bright, steady flame.
Smell Candlewood in Prosody London Perfumes
For candlewood at its most expressive, try Neroli Nuance. Candlewood adds a smooth, warm wood to a floral heart of jasmine sambac and orange blossom. You will also find candlewood in Jacinth Jonquil.
Neroli Nuance
Jacinth JonquilWhat Blends Well With Candlewood?
Questions About Candlewood
Is candlewood strong?
No, it is mild and smooth.
Does candlewood last long?
It sits in the heart.
What pairs with candlewood?
Orange blossom, jasmine, vanilla and resins.
Explore all of our natural perfume ingredients.
