
Iso E Super is a common ingredient in modern perfumery, used to add a warm, woody, and luxurious touch to any composition. It is an aroma chemical that imparts fullness and subtle strength to fragrances. Its highest concentration is found in men's woody fragrances, but it is also used in floral perfumes. Iso E Super is often accompanied by vetiver and is a fragrance enhancer, meaning that the more you add, the less of the other ingredients you need. It has a subtle, velvety woody note and a radiant effect when combined with other ingredients.
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What You'll Learn

Iso E Super is a versatile fragrance enhancer
Iso E Super is an effective fragrance enhancer, meaning that the more you add, the less of the other ingredients you need. It enhances not only the fragrance but also whatever else is on a person's skin. Its scent can seem to vary according to different skin chemistries. Perfumers love using Iso E Super because it gives smoothness and helps to soften a fragrance, with its nuances of incense, cedarwood, fresh pine wood, powdery iris, and musk. It blends extremely well with woods, spices, and oriental notes, creating a velvety effect.
Iso E Super has established itself in almost all perfume genres, but its highest concentration is still found in numerous men's woody fragrances, such as Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce (48%) and Terre d'Hermes (55%). It is also commonly found in floral perfumes, with a surprisingly high concentration in Perles de Lalique (80%). Iso E Super is often accompanied by vetiver, with notable concentrations in Lalique Encre Noir (45%) and Kenzo Air (48%). It is also found in incense mono-fragrances, such as Comme des Garçons Incense Jaisalmer (51%) and Comme des Garçons Incense Kyoto (55%).
Iso E Super has been the subject of numerous rumours and legends due to its enigmatic qualities. Some believe it has pheromonic qualities, making one extremely attractive to the opposite sex, while others claim it enhances the body's unique scent and improves the aesthetic qualities of fragrances. Iso E Super was discovered in 1973 by John B. Hall and James M. Sanders of the American corporation International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), who patented the chemical compound and named it "Isocyclemone E". They later improved the synthesis method and created a refined version, Iso E Super.
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It has a warm, woody scent
Iso E Super is a versatile synthetic ingredient that gives a warm, woody scent to any composition. It is an extremely popular fragrance enhancer that adds fullness and subtle strength to perfumes. Its large molecular size makes it almost undetectable when smelled alone, but when combined with other ingredients, it adds a subtle, velvety woody note and a radiant effect. Perfumers love using Iso E Super because it gives smoothness and helps to soften a fragrance, with its nuances of incense, cedarwood, fresh pine wood, powdery iris, and musk. It works particularly well when blended with other woody ingredients and spices, creating a luxurious, velvety effect.
Iso E Super has become a staple in perfumery, with its highest concentration found in numerous men's woody fragrances, such as Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce (48%) and Terre d'Hermes (55%). It is also commonly used in incense mono-fragrances like Comme des Garçons Incense Jaisalmer (51%) and floral perfumes like Perles de Lalique (80%). The ingredient is so well-loved that it has helped to destigmatise synthetic molecules in perfumery, which were often associated with being "bad".
The history of Iso E Super began in the 1960s when scientists worldwide studied aroma chemistry and compounds with an ionone-like structure, responsible for the scent of violets. In 1973, John B. Hall and James M. Sanders from International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) discovered a new chemical compound, which they patented as "Isocyclemone E". They later improved the synthesis method and created a refined version, Iso E Super.
Iso E Super is also known by other names, such as Amberfleur, Orbitone, Anthamber, and Patchouli Ethanone, and is a key ingredient in fragrances like Molecule 1 by Eccentric Molecule and Bois de Violette by Serge Lutens. Its versatility and ability to enhance fragrances have made it an indispensable ingredient in modern perfumery, from fine fragrances to laundry detergents.
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It's used in many perfume genres
Iso E Super is a versatile synthetic ingredient that is well-established in almost all perfume genres. Its versatility is such that it can be used in high concentrations in numerous men's woody fragrances, such as Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce (48%) and Terre d'Hermes (55%). It is also commonly found in fragrances with vetiver, such as Lalique Encre Noir (45%) and Kenzo Air (48%). Even in floral perfumes, its content can be surprisingly high, as in Perles de Lalique, where it makes up 80% of the composition.
Iso E Super is an effective fragrance enhancer, adding a subtle, warm, woody, and velvety note to any composition. Its large molecular size makes it barely detectable when smelled alone, but it enhances the unique scent of the wearer's body and improves the aesthetic qualities of other fragrances. It is often used as a framework to support higher-impact smells, giving a fragrance a radiant effect.
Iso E Super is well-loved by perfumers and the public alike. Its versatility means it can be used in a wide range of fragrances, from fine fragrances to laundry detergent. Its discovery in 1973 by John B. Hall and James M. Sanders of International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) marked a significant step forward in aroma chemistry, and it has since become an essential ingredient in modern perfumery.
Iso E Super's ability to enhance a fragrance without being overpowering makes it a popular choice for perfumers. Its subtle, smooth, and soft nuances of incense, cedarwood, fresh pine wood, powdery iris, and musk blend seamlessly with other ingredients, particularly woods, spices, and oriental notes. This gives fragrances a luxurious, velvety effect that is highly desirable in perfumery.
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Iso E Super is barely detectable when smelled alone
Iso E Super is a well-known synthetic ingredient used in modern perfumery. It is an extremely versatile "super" ingredient that gives a warm, woody, luxurious touch to any composition. It is used in everything from fine fragrances to laundry detergent.
Iso E Super is unique in that it is barely detectable when smelled alone due to its large molecular size. However, when combined with other ingredients, it adds a subtle, velvety woody note and a radiant effect. It is often used as a fragrance enhancer, meaning that the more you add, the less of the other ingredients you need. It enhances not only the fragrance but also whatever else is on a person's skin.
Iso E Super has been described as similar to entering a sauna—it smells amazing, but it feels like your sense of smell is muted. It has a scent that most people love, yet it is rather imperceptible to most, with a smell that people can't associate with anything in particular from their everyday lives. Perfumers love it because it gives smoothness and helps to soften a fragrance thanks to its nuances of incense, cedarwood, fresh pine wood, powdery iris, and musk.
Iso E Super is especially popular in men's fragrances, where it can be found in high concentrations. For example, it makes up 48% of Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce and 55% of Terre d’Hermes. It is also commonly found in floral perfumes, such as Perles de Lalique, where it can be found in a concentration of up to 80%.
Iso E Super has been the subject of numerous rumours and legends, including that it has pheronomic qualities, makes one extremely attractive to the opposite sex, and enhances the body's unique scent.
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It's also used in laundry detergent
Iso E Super is a common ingredient in modern perfumery, used in everything from fine fragrances to laundry detergent. It is a synthetic ingredient that gives a warm, woody, luxurious touch to any composition. Its use in laundry detergent is especially notable, as it can give clothes a fresh, clean scent while also providing some of the health and safety benefits associated with fabric softeners.
Iso E Super is an interesting ingredient in that it has a smell that people often love but can't quite place. It is often described as similar to the scent of a sauna—warm and comforting but not overpowering. This quality makes it ideal for use in laundry detergents, as it can provide a subtle fragrance that is not too strong or overwhelming.
In addition to its pleasant scent, Iso E Super is also said to have fabric-softening properties. This can be especially advantageous in laundry detergents, as it can leave clothes feeling softer and more comfortable to wear. The softening effect of Iso E Super is also thought to help reduce wrinkles and extend the lifespan of fabrics.
However, it is important to note that some people have expressed concerns about the potential health risks associated with the use of Iso E Super in laundry detergents. While it is generally considered safe, there have been reports of skin irritation and allergies caused by the chemical. As with any detergent or fabric softener, it is always a good idea to test a small area of the fabric first and to use it in moderation to avoid any potential side effects.
Despite these concerns, Iso E Super remains a popular ingredient in laundry detergents due to its effectiveness in providing a long-lasting, fresh scent and its fabric-softening properties. It is an excellent alternative to traditional fabric softeners and can be especially useful for those with sensitive skin or allergies, as it is less likely to cause irritation.
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Frequently asked questions
Iso E Super is a synthetic aromachemical used in fragrances. It was discovered in 1973 by John B. Hall and James M. Sanders from the American corporation International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF).
Iso E Super is a fragrance enhancer. Its large molecular size makes it barely detectable when smelled alone, but when combined with other ingredients, it adds a subtle, velvety woody note and a radiant effect. It also helps to soften a fragrance thanks to its nuances of incense, cedarwood, fresh pine wood, powdery iris and musk.
Iso E Super is found in numerous fragrances, including:
- Molecule 01 (Escentric Molecules)
- Beautiful (Estee Lauder)
- Eternity (Calvin Klein)
- Terre d'Hermes (Hermes)
- Feminite du Bois (Shiseido/Serge Lutens)
- Perles (Lalique)
- Kenzo Air (Kenzo)
- Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce
- Lalique Encre Noir
- Kenzo Air











































