Ingredient Guide
Cedarwood, also called cedar or cèdre, comes from trees in the genus Cedrus of the pine family. In ancient Egypt, cedar was a symbol of paradise, the earth, and the underworld, and its scent was associated with the sacred. A cedar also appears on Lebanon’s national flag. The wood is chipped and extracted by steam distillation or solvent extraction.
Atlas cedar from Morocco is often used in perfume bases and is relatively inexpensive. Its scent is woody with a floral character, and it is used alongside labdanum.
Himalayan cedar has a scent similar to Atlas cedar.
Virginia cedar from the United States belongs botanically to the cypress family, Cupressaceae, and is also known as Virginia juniper. Because its wood is used to make pencils, it is also called pencil cedar. Its scent is mild, woody, slightly balsamic, and somewhat sweet.
Texas cedar has a scent similar to Virginia cedar.
What Does It Smell Like in Perfume?
In perfume, cedarwood gives a clean-cut woody character reminiscent of dry timber or freshly sharpened pencils. The scent of the natural essential oil varies by tree species: Virginia cedar is dry and sharply pencil-like, while Atlas cedar is warmer and creamier, with resinous and leathery depth. Norlimbanol is a separate synthetic molecule with a cedarwood-amber character that reinforces the definition of the top notes and the fragrance’s lasting power. It is neither natural cedarwood itself nor a finished cedarwood reconstruction accord.
How to Choose Cedarwood Fragrances
Citrus and juniper freshen cedar’s dry woodiness, while tonka and flowers add warmth. Orphéon’s eau de parfum and eau de toilette explore that difference. Their compositions differ, not just their concentrations.
Comparing Cedarwood Fragrances
Orphéon Eau de Parfum (Diptyque)
A former Parisian bar is evoked through warm cedar and tonka, powdery cosmetics and a smoky impression. Juniper berry and jasmine are also key notes.
Orphéon Eau de Toilette (Diptyque)
Fresh green mandarin and juniper berry lead into flowers and cedar. Compared with the eau de parfum’s tonka and powdery character, this Orphéon emphasizes citrus and wood.
Find Your Next Fragrance
To explore more perfumes, open our Fragrance Finder. Choose “Favorite fragrances & notes” on the home screen, then search in the “Favorite notes” field. Select a note you like from the results and press “Next” to continue. You can start with notes even if you do not yet have a favorite perfume.
