What Is Attar? Perfume Oils Explained

Definition and Etymology

Attar is a fragrance that uses oil as its base, in contrast to the alcohol base of most perfumes. The English word attar, also spelled ittar, is linked to the Arabic word itr, meaning perfume, through Hindi-Urdu usage.

A 2025 heritage-management study describes ittar as a traditional perfume made from natural ingredients such as flowers, herbs, spices, and wood, distilled into a fragrant oil. This type of product is considered a natural, alcohol-free perfume with a niche market.

Distillation and Traditional Methods

Attars are distilled by hydrodistillation using a still called the deg and a receiving vessel called the bhapka. These techniques are still used in Kannauj, India.

In the Kannauj method, aromatic vapours from the heated deg combine with sandalwood oil held in the bhapka. A batch of ittar takes about 5 to 6 hours and needs constant supervision.

Base Oils and Ageing

Attar oils are generally distilled into a wood base such as sandalwood and then aged. The ageing period can last from 1 to 10 years, depending on the botanicals and the result sought.

Because sandalwood oil has become scarce, cheaper ittars now use liquid paraffin as the base oil. Agarwood perfumes are seldom pure agarwood oil; they use an alcoholic or non-alcoholic carrier such as sandalwood oil (see dehn al oud).

In India, different grades of agarwood are distilled separately and then blended to produce a final attar. Alcohol-free fragrance products exist mainly as solid perfumes or perfume oils, according to a review in the journal Cosmetics (see alcohol-free perfume).

For a side-by-side comparison, see attar vs spray.

Application and Wear

Oils and balms behave similarly on skin: they melt in and wear close, giving a more intimate scent.

Catalogue Perfume Oils

The brand lists Swiss Arabian Attar Al Ghutra as an attar, with top notes of Bergamot, Mandarin, Raspberry, Saffron, Thyme, and Oud. Its heart notes include Rose, Jasmine, Patchouli, Resins, and Oud, while the base notes are Sandalwood, Leather, Suede, Amber, and Oud.

According to the brand, Ajmal 1001 Nights is a perfume oil containing Saffron top notes. The heart notes are Saffron, Rose, Raspberry, and Blackcurrant, with base notes of Musk, Oud Agarwood, and Amber.

The brand lists Ajmal Saif Al Hind as an attar, featuring Oud Agarwood in the top, heart, and base notes. Afnan Abiyad Mukhallat is listed as a perfume oil with top notes of Saffron, Wood, and Amber, heart notes of Musk, Rose, and Incense, and a base of Oud.

According to the brand, Ajmal Musk Silk is a perfume oil with heart notes of Musk and base notes of Amber Musk. Ajmal Mizyaan is also a perfume oil, featuring top notes of Flower and Saffron, heart notes of Musk and Flower, and base notes of Amber and Sandalwood.

Sources

• Wikipedia (EN): Attar
• SAGE, Journal of Heritage Management: The Fragrant Legacy: Reviving the Craft of Ittar-making in Kannauj Amidst Modern Challenges (2025)
• TRAFFIC / IUCN Library: Heart of the Matter: Agarwood Use and Trade and CITES Implementation for Aquilaria malaccensis
• MDPI Cosmetics (2018): Nanoemulsions as a Form of Perfumery Products
• Vogue Arabia (2026): Why Are Alcohol-Free Fragrances Becoming a Choice For Many?