PINK PEPPER (SCHINUS MOLLE) CO2
Manufacturer: LMR
Botanical name: Schinus molle L.
Plant part: Dried berries
Country of origin: Peru
Country of manufacturing: Peru
Extraction method: Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) with CO₂
DESCRIPTION
The Pink Pepper CO2 Extract (Schinus molle) offered by LMR comes from Peru, homeland of the tree known by the Incas as mulli, which still dominates Andean landscapes with its distinctive weeping canopy. Its pink berries, with their sweet and peppery taste, produce an essence that shares only its name with true pepper (Piper nigrum).
LMR (Laboratoire Monique Rémy) specialises in natural raw materials for perfumery and cosmetics, and it is precisely in precision extractions such as this one that the quality of its ingredients can be appreciated.
The method makes the difference. In CO2 extraction, carbon dioxide, brought to specific pressure and temperature conditions, acts as a gentle solvent: it works at low temperatures, leaves no residues and does not expose the material to steam or heat. The result is a more complete extract than distillation, as it captures, in addition to volatile terpenes, heavier components such as sesquiterpenes, resins and plant waxes. The extract has a more viscous and dense consistency, with a colour ranging from yellow to deep yellow, and an aroma very close to freshly crushed dried berries.
CO2 or essential oil? The catalogue also includes Pink Pepper (Schinus molle) Essential Oil, obtained through steam distillation. The comparison is straightforward: the essential oil is bright, airy and sparkling, with its terpenic and citrus facets in the foreground; the CO2 extract is rounded, warm and resinous, with greater sweetness and less sharpness. In a formula, the two complement each other: the essential oil provides lift and sparkle, while the CO2 supports and adds body.
PERFUMERY
Olfactively, the CO2 extract is like seeing pink pepper up close: the sparkling burst gives way to a spicy-resinous, sweet and slightly fruity profile, with a balsamic vein reminiscent of conifer resin and ripe berries. It is a slower, creamier and more persistent note, working less on the opening and more in the heart and base of the composition.
This greater longevity makes it valuable where the essential oil evaporates too quickly. In woody and ambery compositions, it blends with labdanum, benzoin, frankincense and sandalwood, creating a warm and spicy base. With rose, geranium and osmanthus, it builds more structured floral hearts, with a peppery vein that offsets excessive sweetness. In oriental and gourmand compositions, it pairs with vanilla, cocoa, tonka and coffee, adding a touch of dry spice, while in leather and chypre compositions, it brings a balsamic nuance that rounds out the structure.
In terms of dosage, CO2 is a concentrated material: small percentages are enough to impart character and should be calibrated through progressive trials. Due to its viscosity, it is advisable to pre-dilute the material in a suitable solvent, such as ethanol or another compatible base, or to warm it slightly to facilitate dosing.
Olfactory family: Spicy
Olfactory pyramid: Top-heart note
AROMATHERAPY
The CO2 extract is the choice for those seeking a more intimate and profound pink pepper profile. No wide-open-window effect here: the atmosphere is that of a warm and cosy room, with a sweet spiciness that lingers in the air and accompanies without overwhelming. It is suited to moments of slow pause, reading or meditation, when a discreet yet rich presence is desired.
Its density makes it an oil to be used sparingly. In blends, it gives character to frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood and cedar, while with sweet orange or red mandarin it creates a spicy embrace suited to the colder seasons. For massage, it should be diluted in a carrier oil, using very low concentrations, to create a warm and enveloping note.
COSMETICS
In cosmetic formulations, Pink Pepper CO2 is a high-end ingredient. Where the essential oil offers freshness and lightness, this extract brings richness and an ambery aura, suited to products with a premium and sensorial positioning: body oils and butters, rich creams, balms, artisan soaps and luxury candles.
Its oil-soluble nature makes it compatible with vegetable oils, butters and waxes, where it integrates naturally and provides an enveloping and persistent fragrance. In water-based formulations, a suitable solubiliser is required.
