Academy › Single Essential Oils › Jasmine
Jasmine Absolute
The Midnight Bloom, King of Flowers
Jasmine absolute is a deep, honeyed and richly floral aromatic, solvent-extracted from jasmine blossoms, loved as a luxurious natural perfume ingredient and an indulgent evening diffuser oil.
Botanical name: Jasminum grandiflorum
Aroma: Rich, honeyed, floral and slightly tea-like
Note: Middle to base
Main growing region: India and Egypt (as sourced for this absolute)
Typically extracted: Solvent-extracted from the flowers (an absolute, not steam-distilled)
Blends well with: Sandalwood, Sweet Orange, Bergamot, Ylang Ylang and Rose
Top 3 benefits:
- Luxurious natural perfume: a rich, honeyed floral that evolves beautifully when blended into a carrier oil.
- Evening atmosphere: a single drop in a diffuser gives a warm, romantic, candlelit feel to a room.
- Uplifting scent: many people find its sweet, opulent aroma cheering and confidence-lifting.
Safety first: jasmine absolute is highly concentrated and can cause skin reactions, so keep skin use to about 0.3% (1 drop per 15ml of carrier oil), patch test first, and check with a healthcare professional if you are pregnant. Read the full safety information.
What Is Jasmine Absolute?
Jasmine absolute comes from the flowers of Jasminum grandiflorum, a climbing shrub with star-shaped white blossoms. The flowers are too delicate to steam-distil, so the scent is captured by solvent extraction, which produces an absolute rather than a true essential oil. The result is a thick, deeply coloured and extremely concentrated aromatic.
Its sweet, rich character comes from many aromatic compounds, including benzyl acetate, linalool and indole. Because it is so concentrated, jasmine absolute is used by the drop, and often blended into a carrier oil or perfume base first. This absolute is sourced from India and Egypt.
Benefits and Traditional Uses
The science: jasmine has long been associated with joy, warmth and self-assurance in traditional perfumery. Research into its aromatherapy effects is limited, so enjoy it as a beautiful scent rather than a treatment for any mood or condition.
How to use (the confidence moment): put 1 drop on a tissue and inhale slowly before a gathering or presentation, or wear it as a diluted perfume at about 0.3% (1 drop in 15ml of carrier oil).
The science: the sweet, honeyed scent of jasmine is traditionally linked with romance and relaxation in the evening. Many people find it creates a warm, welcoming mood, though individual responses vary.
How to use (the candlelit room): diffuse 1 drop of jasmine absolute with 3 drops of Sandalwood in a ventilated room for 30 to 60 minutes.
The science: jasmine is one of the most treasured ingredients in fine perfumery, and its scent develops differently on every skin. A very diluted roll-on lets you wear it close to the skin, with minimal risk of irritation.
How to use (the botanical perfume): add 1 drop of jasmine absolute to 15ml of carrier oil in a roller bottle (about 0.3%), patch test first, and apply a little to the wrists or behind the ears.
How to Use Jasmine Absolute
| Method | Instructions | VivaForte tip |
|---|---|---|
| Diffusion | 1 drop in an ultrasonic diffuser, in short sessions in a well-ventilated room. | A little goes a very long way. Blends beautifully with sandalwood or sweet orange. |
| Inhalation | 1 drop on a tissue or cotton ball, inhaled gently. | Enjoy it as a quick, uplifting scent moment. Keep it off your skin. |
| Topical | About 0.3% dilution (1 drop per 15ml of carrier oil). | Patch test first and avoid the face and broken skin. Do not apply the absolute neat. |
| Blending | 1 drop added to a diffuser or perfume blend as a rich floral heart or base note. | Pair with sandalwood, bergamot, ylang ylang or rose. |
Jasmine Absolute Safety Information
- Dilute and patch test. Use no more than about 0.3% on the skin (1 drop per 15ml of carrier oil), which is well within the published dermal maximum of 0.7%. Jasmine absolute is considered a moderate-risk skin sensitiser, so patch test first and stop using it if irritation occurs. Never apply it undiluted.
- External and aromatic use only. Do not swallow essential oils or absolutes.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and health conditions. Speak to a healthcare professional before use, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have sensitive skin or allergies, or take medication.
- Children. Keep out of reach of children. We do not recommend jasmine absolute on the skin of babies and young children.
- Pets. Essential oils can be harmful to pets. Ventilate the room, let animals leave freely when diffusing, and do not apply the oil to them.
- Chemical profile. Rich in benzyl acetate and linalool, with indole, benzyl benzoate and phytol.
For general guidance on dilution, patch testing and sun safety, read our Essential Oil Safety guide.
History and Heritage
Jasmine has been loved for its fragrance for many centuries. Its star-shaped, night-scented flowers are traditionally woven into garlands and used in festivals and weddings in India, where jasmine is a familiar symbol of beauty and celebration.
Jasminum grandiflorum is also grown for perfumery in places such as Egypt and the south of France, and is often called the king of flowers. The blossoms are picked by hand, usually in the early hours, when their scent is strongest, and it takes a very large number of flowers to produce a small amount of absolute, which explains its rarity and luxury.
Today jasmine absolute remains one of the most valued natural ingredients in fine fragrance.
Jasmine Absolute FAQs
Is jasmine absolute safe to use on the skin?
Only when well diluted. We recommend about 0.3% (1 drop per 15ml of carrier oil), a patch test first, and avoiding the face and broken skin. It can cause allergic reactions in some people, so stop if irritation occurs.
Can I use jasmine absolute during pregnancy?
Speak to a midwife or doctor first. There is limited specific guidance for jasmine absolute, and many practitioners advise caution with concentrated aromatics during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
What is the difference between jasmine absolute and jasmine essential oil?
Jasmine flowers are too delicate to steam-distil, so jasmine is made into an absolute using solvent extraction. This captures a richer, more natural scent than distillation, but the product is thicker and very concentrated.
What does jasmine absolute smell like and what blends with it?
It smells rich, honeyed, floral and slightly tea-like. It blends well with Sandalwood, Sweet Orange, Bergamot and Ylang Ylang.
How much jasmine absolute should I use in a diffuser?
One drop is usually plenty because the scent is so strong and concentrated. Diffuse for 30 to 60 minutes in a ventilated room, and avoid closed rooms with babies or pets.
Continue Exploring
- Rose: another luxurious floral absolute for perfume-style blends.
- Ylang Ylang: a sweet, exotic floral that pairs naturally with jasmine.
- Sandalwood: a creamy, woody base that grounds jasmine’s richness.
- Essential Oil Safety: dilution, patch testing and sun safety explained.
- All Single Essential Oils: browse the full VivaForte botanical range.
Looking for the diluted version? Check its composition and directions separately from the concentrated oil.