Agarwood (Oud) CO2 vs Cascarilla

Agarwood (Oud) CO2 and Cascarilla are both woody essential oils. Agarwood (Oud) CO2 carries a base note (deep, woody), while Cascarilla sits as a base note (warm, woody). For topical use, Agarwood (Oud) CO2 tops out at 2%, while Cascarilla tops out at 5%; everyday blends stay around 1–3%.

Agarwood (Oud) CO2 vs Cascarilla at a glance

AttributeAgarwood (Oud) CO2Cascarilla
Latin nameAquilaria crassnaCroton eluteria
Aroma familyWoodyWoody
Perfumery noteBaseBase
Aromadeep, woody, balsamic, smoky, complexwarm, woody, spicy, sweet
Chemical familySesquiterpeneMonoterpene
Max topical dilution2%5%
Max facial dilution1%2.5%
PregnancyNot recommendedNo specific caution recorded
ChildrenNot recommendedGenerally suitable (well diluted)
PetsGenerally suitable (well diluted)Not recommended
ExtractionCo2 extractionSteam distillation

Which should you choose?

Agarwood (Oud) CO2 leans deep, woody, while Cascarilla leans warm, woody — pick whichever aroma you want to lead the blend. For leave-on or sensitive-skin use, note that Agarwood (Oud) CO2 needs the tighter 2% topical limit. On safety, Cascarilla is the safer choice around pregnancy (Agarwood (Oud) CO2 is best avoided); Cascarilla is the safer choice around children (Agarwood (Oud) CO2 is best avoided); Agarwood (Oud) CO2 is the safer choice around pets (Cascarilla is best avoided). Always patch-test and dilute.

Not sure how much to use? Try the free dilution calculator.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Agarwood (Oud) CO2 and Cascarilla?

Agarwood (Oud) CO2 and Cascarilla are both woody essential oils. Agarwood (Oud) CO2 carries a base note (deep, woody), while Cascarilla sits as a base note (warm, woody). For topical use, Agarwood (Oud) CO2 tops out at 2%, while Cascarilla tops out at 5%; everyday blends stay around 1–3%.

Can you blend Agarwood (Oud) CO2 and Cascarilla together?

They can be combined, but Agarwood (Oud) CO2 and Cascarilla aren't a classic pairing — start with small amounts and adjust to taste.

Which is better during pregnancy, Agarwood (Oud) CO2 or Cascarilla?

Agarwood (Oud) CO2 carries a pregnancy caution in our dataset and Cascarilla does not — which makes Cascarilla the less cautioned of the two, not one that is established as safe. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

For education only — not medical or veterinary advice. Always patch-test and consult a qualified professional before use during pregnancy, on children, with pets, or with a health condition.