Costus (Saussurea costus) is a earthy essential oil with a animalic, musky aroma and a base note. Steam distillation from root, it is a versatile blending oil that pairs well with Sandalwood (Australian), Patchouli, Oud agarwood. For topical use, keep dilution at or below 0.5%.
Costus (Saussurea costus) is an earthy essential oil, steam-distilled from the root, produced in India and China. Its aroma is animalic, musky, sitting as a base note in a blend. It's commonly paired with Sandalwood (Australian), Patchouli, Oud (Agarwood), Rose. Keep topical use at or below 0.5%. It is noted for strong, skin sensitizing. Always patch-test first.
Aroma & character
Aroma
Traditional aromatherapy associations
Traditional associations only — not medical claims or evidence of efficacy.
Properties
| Perfumery note | Base |
| Aroma family | Earthy |
| Chemical family | Sesquiterpene |
| Material type | Essential oil |
| Extraction | Steam distillation |
| Plant part | root |
| Origin | India, China |
| Blending factor | 1 |
| Volatility index | 4 |
| Tenacity (hours) | 15.0 |
Safety & dilution
| Max topical dilution | 0.5% |
| Max facial dilution | 0.25% |
| Pregnancy | Not recommended |
| Nursing | Not recommended |
| Children | Not recommended for young children |
| Cats | Not recommended |
| Dogs | Generally suitable when properly diluted |
Safety flags
Evidence: Traditional — EODB: 1 GC-MS analyses (Saussurea costus).
For education only — not medical or veterinary advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Always patch-test and consult a qualified professional before use during pregnancy, on children, with pets, or with a health condition.
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Blends well with
Frequently asked questions
What does Costus smell like?
Costus has a animalic, musky aroma, classed as a earthy oil with a base note.
What is the safe dilution for Costus?
For topical use, keep Costus at or below 0.5%, and 0.25% on facial skin. Always patch-test before wider use.
Is Costus safe to use during pregnancy?
Costus carries a pregnancy caution in our dataset and is not recommended during pregnancy. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before any use.
Is Costus safe to use around children?
Costus is not recommended for young children. Consult a professional before use.
Is Costus safe around pets?
For cats — avoid; not considered safe; dogs — generally lower-risk when well diluted. Diffuse only in ventilated spaces and consult a veterinarian.
What does Costus blend well with?
Costus pairs well with Sandalwood (Australian), Patchouli, Oud agarwood, Rose, Ylang Ylang (Complete).