In short
Opoponax absolute is extracted from the gum of sweet myrrh, Commiphora guidottii. It is sweet and balsamic, warmer and longer-lasting than the oil.
What Opoponax Absolute smells like
The Good Scents Company lists opoponax absolute as sweet, balsamic, woody, incense, amber, old wood, toffee, vanilla and animal. dsm-firmenich describes its absolute as sweet, earthy, slightly liqueur-like and mushroom with a spicy profile, warmer, sweeter and more long-lasting than the essential oil. Robertet lists animalic, balsamic and woody; a perfumer's review on Hermitage Oils finds toffee, vanilla, balsamic woods, liquorice, cinnamon, incense and earth.
- Leading note
- Sweet balsamic
- Clear facets
- Woody
- Supporting facets
- Incense, toffee
- Faint facets
- Animalic
- Character
- Warm, tenacious
What makes Opoponax Absolute distinctive
Sweeter and warmer than the oil, with an earthy, mushroom-like animalic side.
Where the descriptions disagree: Sources disagree on the species name and on whether the character leans animalic or mushroom-earthy.
How Opoponax Absolute is used
Used as a sweet balsamic base and fixative in amber, oriental and incense accords.
Typical role: fixative (slow to evaporate; helps a blend last and holds lighter notes).
How Opoponax Absolute differs from similar materials
- Opoponax Oil
- dsm-firmenich describes its opoponax absolute as warmer, sweeter and more long-lasting than the essential oil. (compared directly by a cited source)
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
Sources name the species differently (C. guidottii, C. erythraea); no CAS number specific to the absolute was confirmed.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Absolute
- Origin
- Natural
- Odour family
- Resinous / Amber
- Note position
- Base note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Viscous liquid
- Also known as
- Opopanax absolute
- Botanical source
- Commiphora guidottii Chiov. ex Guid.
No CAS number is shown: suppliers use different identifiers for this material, and none could be confirmed as its own.
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
-
Opoponax Oil
Essential oil · Resinous / Amber — balsamic, sweet, warm, honeyed
-
Labdanum Absolute
Absolute · Amber / Leather — amber, balsamic, leathery, animalic
-
Benzoin Resinoid (Siam)
Resinoid · Amber / Gourmand — vanillic, balsamic, sweet, warm
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 7 published formulas
Opoponax Absolute is an ingredient in 4 perfume formulas and 3 accords in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Opoponax Absolute
Is Opoponax Absolute natural or synthetic?
Opoponax Absolute is natural. It is a concentrated extract obtained from plant material with a solvent, then washed with ethanol to remove the waxes.
Which published formulas use Opoponax Absolute?
Opoponax Absolute is used in 7 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including 1882 Naturals, Apricot Dust and Leather Accord. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- The Good Scents Company — opoponax absolute — odour database.
- dsm-firmenich — Opoponax RDE super — manufacturer's description.
- Hermitage Oils — Opoponax Absolute — distributor's description.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 24 October 2026. Evidence: more than one published description. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.