Character
The Story of Iso E Super
Iso E Super is the most discussed molecule in modern perfumery. Synthesized in 1973, it vanishes from your nose while leaving an addictive velvety trail on skin that others smell but you cannot.
Heritage
In the early 1960s, fragrance chemists began studying ionone structures, searching for molecules that could bridge the gap between natural and synthetic perfumery. John B. Hall and James M. Sanders of International Flavors & Fragrances made the breakthrough in 1973, synthesizing a compound that would reshape how perfumers approach base notes. The molecule patented that year offered something unprecedented: a material that could extend and enhance other ingredients without contributing its own distinct aroma. Molecules like Iso E Super opened the door to the modern era of fragrance construction, where synthetic chemistry enables effects impossible to achieve with natural ingredients alone.
At a Glance
17
Feature this note
Other
Olfactive group
Synthetic
Lab-crafted
United States
Primary source region
Ingredient Details
Synthetic
N/A
Did You Know
"Iso E Super can smell like nothing at all on a test strip, yet makes the wearer smell irresistibly appealing to everyone nearby."
Pyramid Presence
