Heliotropin, also known as Piperonal, is an aromatic organic compound widely used in perfumery, fragrance oils, soaps, cosmetics, and personal care products. It is valued for its soft, sweet, powdery, floral aroma with distinctive vanilla, almond, and cherry-like undertones. Heliotropin is particularly popular in creating luxurious floral, oriental, gourmand, and powdery fragrance compositions. Heliotropin is an excellent fragrance ingredient for perfumers and cosmetic formulators seeking a delicate balance of floral sweetness, powdery warmth and creamy vanilla-almond character. It enhances floral compositions, softens sharp notes and adds a sophisticated finishing touch to fragrance blends.
Product Name Heliotropin (Piperonal)
INCI Name Piperonal
CAS Number 120-57-0
Molecular Formula C₈H₆O₃
Molecular Weight 150.13 g/mol
Appearance Off-white to pink crystalline solid
Odour Sweet, powdery, floral, vanilla-like, almond-like
Chemical Family Aromatic aldehyde
Solubility Slightly soluble in water; soluble in ethanol and many organic solvents
Application Perfumery, fragrance and cosmetic formulations
Uses of Heliotropin (Piperonal)
1. Perfumes and Fine Fragrances
Heliotropin is widely used in perfume formulations to create soft, elegant, powdery and sweet floral notes. It blends particularly well with vanilla, rose, jasmine, violet, sandalwood, musk, and amber.
2. Fragrance Oils
An excellent ingredient for developing vanilla, almond, cherry blossom, baby powder, floral, and gourmand fragrance oils. It adds sweetness, warmth, and depth to fragrance compositions.
3. Cosmetic and Skincare Products
Used as a fragrance ingredient in body lotions, creams, body butters, hand creams, and other personal care formulations to provide a pleasant, delicate scent.
4. Soaps and Bath Products
Adds a sweet, powdery floral aroma to handmade soaps, shower gels, bubble baths, and bath products. Finished-product stability and fragrance safety should be evaluated.
5. Candles and Home Fragrances
Suitable for creating fragrance accords used in scented candles, wax melts, room sprays, and home fragrance products, subject to formulation testing.
6. Perfume Blending and Fragrance Modification
Heliotropin helps soften harsh fragrance notes, enhance powdery floral accords, and add warm vanilla-almond character to complex perfume compositions.
Formulation and Handling Guidelines
Property Recommendation
Form Pink crystalline powder
Melting Point Approximately 37°C
Water Solubility Slightly soluble
Ethanol Solubility Freely soluble
Oil Solubility Soluble in suitable oils and fragrance solvents
Usage Rate Depends on the fragrance formulation and applicable safety limits
Storage Keep tightly sealed, cool, dry and protected from light
