The scent of the earth itself. Geosmin by IFF captures the quiet poetry of rain-kissed soil, the grounding freshness of nature revealed after a storm.

Ultra trace amounts are enough to transform a fragrance, opening doors to memory, emotion, and atmosphere.

Potent, diffusive, and unmistakably natural, it lends perfumes an elemental depth that feels both timeless and alive.

This high-precision fragrance raw material brings profound earthy and musty facets to perfumery.

Despite its powerful character, it is non-hazardous under EU classification and requires no special labelling.

Used at ultra trace levels; its presence is potent and evocative. At extremely low dilution levels (e.g., 0.1% or less in appropriate diluents), Geosmin imparts rich, naturalistic grounding notes without being overwhelming.

An ideal choice for compositions seeking authentic, natural grounding notes; Geosmin is famous for its evocative earthy, musty scent, closely resembling petrichor—the comforting aroma of freshly turned soil or rain-moistened ground.

This is an absolute Super Power of a material and should be used with caution. We recommend diluting to 0.1% or lower when blending.

The smell of petrichor is so striking to humans because it triggers both olfactory and evolutionary responses:

1. Olfactory Sensitivity: Humans are highly sensitive to geosmin, one of the compounds in petrichor. Even at extremely low concentrations—just a few parts per trillion—our noses can detect it. This sensitivity is unusual; most smells aren’t detectable at such trace levels.
2. Evolutionary Association: The scent of rain on dry earth historically signaled water availability to early humans. In arid regions especially, the smell of petrichor would indicate that rain had fallen and water sources were replenished—vital for survival. Our brains may have evolved to associate this smell with safety and nourishment.
3. Emotional Response: Petrichor also interacts with the limbic system—the part of the brain that handles emotion and memory. That’s why the smell often evokes feelings of freshness, calm, or nostalgia.

In short, it’s not just a “nice smell”—it’s a combination of chemical sensitivity, survival cues, and emotional memory that makes petrichor so compelling to humans.