Cedarwood (Atlas) vs Cedarwood (Virginia)

Cedarwood (Atlas) and Cedarwood (Virginia) are both woody essential oils. Cedarwood (Atlas) carries a base note (dry, warm), while Cedarwood (Virginia) sits as a base note (dry, pencil-like). For topical use, Cedarwood (Atlas) tops out at 5%, while Cedarwood (Virginia) tops out at 5%; everyday blends stay around 1–3%.

Cedarwood (Atlas) vs Cedarwood (Virginia) at a glance

AttributeCedarwood (Atlas)Cedarwood (Virginia)
Latin nameCedrus atlanticaJuniperus virginiana
Aroma familyWoodyWoody
Perfumery noteBaseBase
Aromadry, warmdry, pencil-like
Chemical familySesquiterpeneSesquiterpene
Max topical dilution5%5%
Max facial dilution2.5%2.5%
PregnancyNot recommendedNot recommended
ChildrenGenerally suitable (well diluted)Generally suitable (well diluted)
PetsGenerally suitable (well diluted)Generally suitable (well diluted)
ExtractionSteam distillationSteam distillation

Which should you choose?

Cedarwood (Atlas) leans dry, warm, while Cedarwood (Virginia) leans dry, pencil-like — pick whichever aroma you want to lead the blend.

Get the right drops-per-bottle with the drops & dilution calculator.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Cedarwood (Atlas) and Cedarwood (Virginia)?

Cedarwood (Atlas) and Cedarwood (Virginia) are both woody essential oils. Cedarwood (Atlas) carries a base note (dry, warm), while Cedarwood (Virginia) sits as a base note (dry, pencil-like). For topical use, Cedarwood (Atlas) tops out at 5%, while Cedarwood (Virginia) tops out at 5%; everyday blends stay around 1–3%.

Can you blend Cedarwood (Atlas) and Cedarwood (Virginia) together?

They can be combined, but Cedarwood (Atlas) and Cedarwood (Virginia) aren't a classic pairing — start with small amounts and adjust to taste.

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.