One of the biggest hurdles for new perfumers isn't the formulas — it's knowing where to buy the materials. The good news is that the hobby-perfumery supply scene is healthy worldwide. This guide points you to trusted suppliers by region and explains how to order exactly what you need.
Order by CAS number, not trade name
The same aroma material can have many trade names, which makes ordering confusing. The unambiguous identifier is the CAS number — a unique code assigned to each chemical. Every ScentFormulas formula lists each material with its CAS number, so when a supplier's product page shows CAS 54464-57-2 you know it's Iso E Super, whatever they've named it. Always cross-check the CAS number when you order.
What you'll be buying
Most of a formula falls into four groups: aroma chemicals (single molecules like Hedione or Ambroxan), naturals (essential oils, absolutes and resinoids), bases and specialty accords (ready-made blends for tricky effects like oud or leather), and solvents (DPG for pre-dilution, perfumer's alcohol for the final dilution). A precision scale, glassware and bottles complete your kit. For the full rundown, see our ingredients guide.
United States
- Perfumer's Apprentice — a huge, beginner-friendly range of aroma chemicals and naturals in small sizes, ideal for building a first palette.
- Eden Botanicals — excellent for high-quality naturals, essential oils and absolutes.
- The Good Scents Company — not a shop but the indispensable free reference database for material properties and CAS numbers; keep it open while you shop.
United Kingdom & Europe
- Pell Wall Perfumes (UK) — outstanding range, clear documentation, pre-dilutions available, and ships across the EU. A favourite of serious hobbyists.
- Mystic Moments and Perfumer's Supply House (UK) — accessible naturals and starter kits.
- Hekserij (Netherlands) and Behawe (Germany) — broad EU-based aroma-chemical selections with reasonable shipping inside the EU.
Australia & New Zealand
- Aussie Soap Supplies and New Directions (AU) — reliable for naturals, solvents and equipment locally, which avoids international shipping limits on some materials.
- Escentials of Australia — good for essential oils and absolutes.
- For specialty aroma chemicals not stocked locally, Australian perfumers often order from Pell Wall in the UK — just check dangerous-goods shipping rules first, as some materials can't cross certain borders.
Buying smart
You don't need to buy everything at once. Start by purchasing only the materials for one or two formulas in the smallest sizes available, which keeps your initial cost low and lets you learn before committing. A starter palette of workhorses — Iso E Super, Hedione, Ambroxan, a clean musk, vanillin, coumarin, bergamot and a sandalwood material — will get you a remarkably long way. As you find the materials you reach for constantly, buy those in larger, cheaper sizes.
Storage and shelf life
Stored well — cool, dark, tightly capped, away from heat and light — most aroma chemicals last for years. Citrus oils and some delicate naturals oxidise faster, so buy those in quantities you'll use within a year or two. Label every bottle with the material name, CAS number, dilution strength and date.
A note on safety and shipping
Concentrated materials can irritate skin and eyes, and some are sensitisers, so read each supplier's safety data sheet and handle materials carefully. Certain aroma chemicals are classed as dangerous goods for shipping, which is why buying locally where possible saves hassle. And if you ever move beyond personal use, you'll need to comply with the IFRA Standards — read more in our piece on whether clone formulas are legal.
With your suppliers chosen and your CAS numbers in hand, sourcing becomes the easy part. Pick a beginner formula, order its materials in small sizes, and you'll be weighing out your first fragrance before you know it.