Skatole is undoubtedly one of the strongest and most repellent chemicals the perfumer has to work with, nevertheless it remains an indispensable item for many reasons. Traces of skatole can impart a sense of true naturalness to a floral bouquet (impossible to achieve with any other material), while a touch in excess can create the illusion of dying flowers wilting as they gracefully expire. In high doses skatole contributes a distinctly animal quality which can, as if by magic, be tamed by high doses of natural sandalwood oil with which it has an inimitable synergy. Skatole is frequently found as the chief component in civet compounds. Skatole can be a useful booster for indole where an excess of that related aromachemical can introduce an unwanted naphtholenic character. Skatole, like indole, can be highly discolouring which should be borne in mind when using it in fragrances demanding little to no colour. We supply skatole in a 1% solution with DPG but we recommend diluting it further to 0.1% or even 0.01% for most practical needs. NOTE: We package all high odour or high risk materials individually in separate heat sealed aluminium bags to mitigate any risk of cross-contamination.
