Resin

Cistus Incanus

Note Profile

Natural 40 perfumes

Also Known As

Cistus, Cistus (Rockrose), Cistus Absolute, Rock Rose, Rockrose

About

Cistus incanus has a warm, resinous scent profile, reminiscent of dried herbs, amber, and sweet balsamic undertones. Its aroma can evoke both the sunbaked Mediterranean landscape and a sense of complex, smoky depth, making it a prized note for adding richness and longevity to fragrances.

Scent Profile

Cistus incanus emits a warm, resinous aroma with pronounced balsamic, herbaceous, and slightly smoky facets. The scent features nuances of dried herbs, amber, and a subtle sweetness, evolving to reveal earthy and leathery undertones as it dries down. Its complexity lends both richness and a sunbaked Mediterranean character to compositions.

ScentWheel

Breadthfocused

EnvelopeBase · ~400h lasting

Origin

Cistus incanus is a flowering shrub native to the Mediterranean region, where its leaves and twigs exude a fragrant resin. The material is typically harvested and extracted using steam distillation or solvent extraction to yield an absolute or essential oil for perfumery.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers use cistus incanus primarily as a heart or base note to impart depth, warmth, and longevity. It blends well with other resins, woods, amber, and aromatic herbs, and is often found in oriental, chypre, and fougère fragrances for its complex, grounding qualities.