Agarwood (Oud) CO2 vs Hemlock Spruce

Agarwood (Oud) CO2 and Hemlock Spruce are both woody essential oils. Agarwood (Oud) CO2 carries a base note (deep, woody), while Hemlock Spruce sits as a heart note (woody, fresh). For topical use, Agarwood (Oud) CO2 tops out at 2%, while Hemlock Spruce tops out at 10%; everyday blends stay around 1–3%.

Agarwood (Oud) CO2 vs Hemlock Spruce at a glance

AttributeAgarwood (Oud) CO2Hemlock Spruce
Latin nameAquilaria crassnaTsuga canadensis
Aroma familyWoodyWoody
Perfumery noteBaseHeart
Aromadeep, woody, balsamic, smoky, complexwoody, fresh, soft, green
Chemical familySesquiterpeneEster
Max topical dilution2%10%
Max facial dilution1%5%
PregnancyNot recommendedNo specific caution recorded
ChildrenNot recommendedGenerally suitable (well diluted)
PetsGenerally suitable (well diluted)Not recommended
ExtractionCo2 extractionSteam distillation

Which should you choose?

Reach for Agarwood (Oud) CO2 when you want a base-note deep, woody character, and Hemlock Spruce for a heart-note woody, fresh one. For leave-on or sensitive-skin use, note that Agarwood (Oud) CO2 needs the tighter 2% topical limit. On safety, Hemlock Spruce is the safer choice around pregnancy (Agarwood (Oud) CO2 is best avoided); Hemlock Spruce is the safer choice around children (Agarwood (Oud) CO2 is best avoided); Agarwood (Oud) CO2 is the safer choice around pets (Hemlock Spruce is best avoided). Always patch-test and dilute.

Work out exact drops with the dilution calculator for your bottle size.

Frequently asked questions

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

Agarwood (Oud) CO2 and Hemlock Spruce are both woody essential oils. Agarwood (Oud) CO2 carries a base note (deep, woody), while Hemlock Spruce sits as a heart note (woody, fresh). For topical use, Agarwood (Oud) CO2 tops out at 2%, while Hemlock Spruce tops out at 10%; everyday blends stay around 1–3%.

Can you blend Agarwood (Oud) CO2 and Hemlock Spruce together?

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

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

Agarwood (Oud) CO2 carries a pregnancy caution in our dataset and Hemlock Spruce does not — which makes Hemlock Spruce 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.