Fragrance note guide

What Does Elemi Smell Like in Perfume?

Elemi in perfume usually smells fresh, resinous and peppery, with bright citrus, aromatic wood and incense-like sides. It is lighter and more sparkling than many dark balsamic resins. The note may begin with lemon-like freshness before becoming warmer, drier and more woody. Elemi is mainly used as a top note.

Pale elemi resin pieces and a leafy elemi branch on a dusty blue background

What Does Elemi Smell Like?

Elemi combines peppery spice and herbs with a fresh citrus opening. Beneath this brightness are dry wood, resin and a soft incense character. IFF describes elemi oil as spicy and aromatic, with a citrusy top, woody-resinous facets and hints of incense.

Where Does Elemi Come From?

Elemi oil comes from the gum-resin of Canarium luzonicum, a tree associated with the Philippines. The hardened gum can be hydro-distilled to produce its essential oil. This separates elemi from heavier resinoids such as myrrh or benzoin, giving it a more volatile and citrus-like character.

How Elemi Is Usually Described

  • Resinous
  • Fresh
  • Peppery
  • Citrusy
  • Woody
  • Incense-like

How Is Elemi Used in Perfume?

Elemi is used in citrus, aromatic, incense, amber, woody and spicy fragrances. It blends well with bergamot, pepper, cardamom, frankincense, myrrh, cedarwood, vetiver and patchouli. It can connect a bright citrus opening with a resinous heart without making the perfume immediately feel heavy.

Notes Commonly Paired With Elemi

Fresh bergamot oranges with glossy green leaves
Fragrance note

Bergamot

Bergamot in perfume smells fresh, bright and citrusy, with a soft floral character and a slightly bitter green edge. It is less sharp than lemon and often feels...

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Green cardamom pods, opened pods and dark seeds on a light pale peach background
Fragrance note

Cardamom

Cardamom in perfume usually smells fresh, green and spicy, with citrusy, aromatic, woody and slightly cooling sides. It is lighter and fresher than many warm spices, so it...

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Cedarwood pieces with wood shavings and fresh cedar foliage
Fragrance note

Cedarwood

Cedarwood in perfume usually smells dry, warm and woody, with resinous, slightly smoky or pencil like sides. Some cedarwood notes feel smooth and creamy, while others are sharper...

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Fresh green patchouli leaves and natural stems
Fragrance note

Patchouli

Patchouli in perfume usually smells earthy, woody and deep, with herbal, slightly sweet and sometimes camphor like sides. It can feel dark and damp in one fragrance but...

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Black peppercorns on a green pepper vine with fresh leaves on a pale peach background
Fragrance note

Pepper

Pepper in perfume usually smells dry, fresh and spicy, with aromatic, citrus-like and woody sides. It can create a lively tingling sensation without necessarily smelling hot like food....

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Washed vetiver roots and fresh green vetiver grass on a light dusty blue background
Fragrance note

Vetiver

Vetiver in perfume usually smells earthy, woody and dry, with smoky, green, grassy or slightly bitter sides. Some vetiver notes feel dark, rooty and rugged, while others are...

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Luxaro Perfumes With Elemi as a Top Note

These fragrances introduce Elemi near the opening of the scent.

Related Fragrance Notes

Golden benzoin resin pieces with natural tree bark and green leaves on a light dusty blue background
Fragrance note

Benzoin

Benzoin in perfume usually smells sweet, warm and balsamic, with vanilla-like, creamy, powdery and slightly resinous sides. It can also suggest caramel, cinnamon or warm cereal depending on...

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Pale frankincense resin pieces with Boswellia tree bark and green leaves on a pale lavender-grey background
Fragrance note

Incense

Incense in perfume usually smells resinous, smoky and woody, with warm amber, dry spice and sometimes fresh citrus or mineral sides. It does not always smell like thick...

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Natural myrrh resin pieces and a leafy myrrh branch on a dusty blue background
Fragrance note

Myrrh

Myrrh in perfume usually smells warm, resinous and balsamic, with smoky, earthy, liquorice-like and softly sweet sides. Some myrrh materials feel dark and medicinal, while others are smoother,...

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