Iso E Super

What Does It Smell Like?

Iso E Super smells like clean, almost invisible freshness—imagine the scent of expensive, barely-there laundry detergent or the air inside a high-end department store. It's woody yet ethereal, with a faint ambroxan warmth underneath. Many people don't actually *perceive* it directly; instead, they notice a pleasant, indefinable cleanliness and subtle woody depth that makes a fragrance feel premium and polished. It's so subtle that roughly 30% of people experience "olfactory adaptation," meaning their noses tune it out completely within minutes—a peculiar phenomenon unique to this molecule.

Origin & History

Iso E Super (isochroman) was synthesised in 1966 by the fragrance company International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF). It's entirely synthetic—created through organic chemistry rather than extracted from plants. The molecule mimics the aromatic properties of natural cedarwood and ambroxan, offering perfumers a stable, long-lasting alternative. Its widespread use in modern perfumery since the 1970s has made it one of the most prevalent fragrance ingredients globally, found in countless designer fragrances and personal care products.

In Perfumery

Perfumers employ Iso E Super as a backbone builder—it enhances longevity, adds transparency, and creates a modern, "clean" aura without dominating. It amplifies woody and musky qualities whilst remaining imperceptible to many wearers. Often used at 5-15% concentrations, it's the unsung hero providing subtle sophistication.

Pairs Beautifully With

Featured In 23 Fragrances