✦ Givaudan specialty aroma chemical with a rich woody-amber-tobacco profile

✦ Powerful long-lasting heart-to-base note for depth and structure

✦ Adds substantivity, diffusion, and longevity to compositions

✦ Carries refined agarwood (oud) nuances ideal for oriental work

✦ Blends with florals, woods, leather, amber, and tobacco accords

✦ Excellent fixative for fine fragrance and attar blending

✦ Vegan and cruelty-free synthetic material

Kephalis is a captive-style woody amber molecule developed by Givaudan, one of the world's leading fragrance houses. It belongs to the modern family of woody-ambery aroma chemicals created to give perfumers reliable, long-lasting base structure without the cost or restrictions of natural woods.

What makes Kephalis special is its rich, multi-faceted character. It is not a flat woody note — it carries warm amber depth, a smooth dry tobacco edge, and refined agarwood nuances that make it invaluable in oud, oriental, and masculine creations. It boosts diffusion and tenacity while staying balanced and elegant in a blend.

Bio Shop Pakistan supplies cosmetic-grade Kephalis suitable for fine fragrance, attar and mukhallat blending, woody amber accords, and oriental perfumery for both hobbyists and professional formulators.

SCENT DESCRIPTION: Kephalis opens with a dry, refined woody character that quickly reveals warmth and presence. Deep ambery tones emerge alongside a smooth tobacco-like richness that never feels heavy. Subtle agarwood and dried-wood nuances give it an oriental, oud-leaning depth. The overall impression is confident, warm, modern, and long-lasting.

NOTE POSITION: Mid-Base

FRAGRANCE FAMILY: Woody · Amber · Oriental

FACETS: Woody · Ambery · Tobacco · Dry · Agarwood

TENACITY: Very High — 24+ hours on blotter

SILLAGE: Medium to High — diffusive yet smooth

Chemical Name : 4-(1-Ethoxyvinyl)-3,3,5,5-tetramethylcyclohexanone

CAS Number : 36306-87-3

Synonyms : Kephalis, Woody Cyclohexanone

Purity % : verify with supplier CoA

Appearance : Pale yellow liquid

Odor Threshold : Low (medium odor strength)

Solubility : Soluble in alcohol and oils; insoluble in water

Specific Gravity: verify with supplier CoA

Flash Point : verify with supplier CoA

Type : Synthetic

Fine Fragrance ★★★★★

Excellent as a woody amber base and fixative. Adds depth, longevity, and a refined tobacco-agarwood richness to niche and designer-style creations.

Attar & Oriental Blending ★★★★★

A natural fit for oud, amber, and mukhallat work. Its agarwood nuance reinforces dehn al oud and bakhoor-style accords beautifully.

Functional Fragrance ★★★★☆

Performs well as a substantive woody note in soaps and personal care, with good tenacity across many bases. Confirm stability per application.

Cosmetics ★★★★☆

Suitable as a fragrance component in cosmetic formulations at safe usage levels. Always follow IFRA guidance for skin-contact products.

Home Fragrance ★★★★☆

Adds long-lasting warmth and diffusion to candles and diffusers. Test for discoloration in light-coloured wax and bases.

Typical usage rates (of neat material):

EDP : 1.0 – 5.0%

EDT : 0.5 – 3.0%

Body Lotion : 0.2 – 1.0%

Shampoo/Body Wash: 0.2 – 1.0%

Candle : 1.0 – 4.0%

Reed Diffuser : 1.0 – 5.0%

Soap : 0.5 – 2.0%

IFRA 51st Amendment:

✦ Verify current category limits at ifrafragrance.org before finalizing skin-contact products

✦ IFRA compliance is voluntary in Pakistan but recommended for Gulf export markets

⚠️ Always confirm restriction status against the latest IFRA standard and supplier documentation

Method 1 — Base fixative: Add at 1–3% to anchor woody, amber, and oriental compositions and extend longevity.

Method 2 — Oud reinforcement: Pair with oud and woody accords to deepen agarwood character in mukhallat and attar blends.

Method 3 — Floral lift: Use small amounts under florals to add warmth and a dry woody backbone without flattening the top.

BEST PAIRINGS

Jasmine → Adds warmth and woody depth beneath the florals

Rose → Builds a rich rose-oud oriental structure

Oud / Agarwood → Reinforces and extends natural agarwood character

Amber accord → Deepens warmth and substantivity

Lavender → Grounds the aromatic into a masculine woody base

Tobacco note → Enhances dry, smooth tobacco richness

AVOID

✦ Overdosing in delicate citrus or fresh top-note structures, where it can dominate

To me, Kephalis is one of those quiet workhorses that holds a woody amber accord together. It gives that dry, warm, slightly tobacco-and-oud feeling that makes a base smell expensive and complete, without shouting over the other materials. It is reliable, diffusive, and remarkably long-lasting on skin.

ADVANCED TIP: Build a woody amber module by combining Kephalis with a cedar or Iso E-style woody and a touch of amber base at roughly 3:2:1, pre-blend it, then drop it into the formula as a single accord — this gives a smoother, more rounded base than dosing each material separately.

Physical State : Liquid (pale yellow)

Skin Safety : Use within IFRA limits; do not apply neat

Eye Contact : Avoid; flush with water if exposed

Ingestion : Not for ingestion; keep away from food

Ventilation : Use in a well-ventilated area

Storage : Cool, dark place, tightly sealed

Shelf Life : 24+ months when stored correctly

Container : Amber glass or HDPE; avoid prolonged light

Flammability : Combustible; keep from heat and flame

Q: What does Kephalis smell like?

A: Rich, warm woody-amber with a smooth tobacco edge and subtle agarwood nuances. It is dry, elegant, and long-lasting.

Q: Where in a fragrance do I use Kephalis?

A: It works as a heart-to-base note and fixative. Use it to add depth, warmth, and longevity to woody, amber, and oriental blends.

Q: What is a good starting dose?

A: Begin around 1–3% in fine fragrance and adjust to taste. A little goes a long way in florals.

Q: Is Kephalis vegan?

A: Yes. It is a synthetic aroma chemical and contains no animal-derived materials.

Q: How does Kephalis compare to natural oud?

A: Kephalis is a single synthetic molecule with an oud-like agarwood nuance, while natural oud is a complex, costly, and CITES-sensitive oil. Kephalis is a consistent, affordable way to add woody-amber depth and reinforce real oud accords.