In short
White camphor oil is the light fraction of the oil distilled from Cinnamomum camphora. Most of the camphor is removed, leaving a fresh, cineole-rich oil.
What White Camphor Oil smells like
White camphor oil is the first distillation fraction of crude camphor oil, about a fifth of it, and is a colourless liquid with a cineole-like odour, in ChemicalBook's description; it contains a substantial share of 1,8-cineole. A seller describes eucalyptus-like notes from that cineole. A different supplier describes a rectified oil from the same tree as sharp, penetrating and medicinal, so descriptions vary with grade.
- Leading note
- Fresh cineole-camphor
- Clear facets
- Eucalyptus
- Supporting facets
- Medicinal, clean
- Character
- Fresh, clean, penetrating
What makes White Camphor Oil distinctive
Camphor's light fraction: fresher and more eucalyptus-like than camphor itself.
Where the descriptions disagree: Some describe a fresh, eucalyptus-like oil, others a sharp, penetrating, medicinal one, depending on grade.
How White Camphor Oil is used
Used in functional and technical fragrances, for fresh camphoraceous effects, and as a source of cineole.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How White Camphor Oil differs from similar materials
- Camphor
- Camphor is the musty, penetrating solid; white camphor oil is the cineole-rich light fraction, fresher and more eucalyptus-like. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Eucalyptus Oil
- Eucalyptus is cineole-dominated with a herbal-green heart; white camphor oil carries more camphor beside its cineole.
An asterisk marks a difference that a cited source states directly. The others compare the published descriptions of each material. Smell varies with grade, supplier and dilution; compare them side by side on blotters before substituting one for another.
Formulation considerations
The heavier brown and yellow fractions contain safrole and are not interchangeable with the white fraction.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Essential oil
- Origin
- Natural
- Odour family
- Aromatic
- Note position
- Top note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- Also known as
- Camphor oil (white fraction)
- Botanical source
- Cinnamomum camphora
- CAS number
- 8008-51-3
The CAS number was checked on 19 October 2026 against a PubChem substance record that gives it for this material. A natural material is a mixture, so it has no single formula; its composition varies with origin and processing.
Safety and compliance
This page is general information, not a safety assessment or a specification. Confirm identity, composition, IFRA status and allergen content from your supplier's documents for the lot you hold.
Materials it works with
-
Eucalyptol
Aroma chemical · Aromatic / Green — camphoraceous, cool, medicinal
-
Camphor
Aroma chemical · Aromatic / Woody — camphoraceous, medicinal, cooling
-
Eucalyptus Oil
Essential oil · Aromatic / Green — camphoraceous, cooling, medicinal, fresh
-
Rosemary Oil
Essential oil · Aromatic / Woody — herbal, camphoraceous, fresh, woody
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 1 published formula
White Camphor Oil is an ingredient in 1 perfume formula in the Formula & Accord Library.
Further reading
Questions about White Camphor Oil
Is White Camphor Oil natural or synthetic?
White Camphor Oil is natural. It is a volatile oil obtained from plant material by steam distillation or, for citrus peels, by cold expression.
What is the CAS number of White Camphor Oil?
8008-51-3, the registry number for the essential oil as a substance rather than a single molecule. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use White Camphor Oil?
White Camphor Oil is used in 1 published formula in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library: 1882 Naturals. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — substance 135328027, checked 19 October 2026.
- ChemicalBook — camphor oil (CAS 8008-51-3) — odour database.
- Pasteur Pharmacy — white camphor essential oil — distributor's description.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 21 October 2026. Evidence: more than one published description. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.