Fragrance allergen

Synthetic musk

Hexamethylindanopyran, sold as Galaxolide and known as HHCB, is a synthetic polycyclic musk. It is used in perfumes for a clean, sweet, floral musk that suppliers call persistent, and also in detergents, fabric softeners and household cleaners. It was added to the EU list of named label allergens in 2023.

Formula
C18H26O
Molar mass
258.4 g/mol
CAS
1222-05-5

Where it comes from

PubChem describes Galaxolide as a synthetic musk used as a fragrance in cosmetics. The US EPA calls it one of the most common synthetic polycyclic musks. The SCCS lists it under trade names including Abbalide, Galaxolide and Pearlide, and as HHCB. The sources I read did not say how it is manufactured, and none names a natural source.

Smell and use

A strong, diffusive, sweet floral musk. Suppliers describe it as a clean, persistent musk.

Supplier listings describe Galaxolide as a clean, persistent musk. The US EPA lists it in perfumes, cosmetics, shampoos, lotions, detergents, fabric softeners and household cleaners.

On the label

Named on 6% of the 6,851 perfume ingredient lists we hold (439 perfumes).

Printed as
Hexamethylindanopyran
EU
Annex III, entry 336. Must be named above 0.001% in leave-on products (0.01% rinse-off).
Great Britain
Not on Great Britain's list, so a GB label need not name it. The EU list does.

Hexamethylindanopyran was added to the EU list of named fragrance allergens by Regulation (EU) 2023/1545. It must be named above 0.001% in leave-on or 0.01% in rinse-off products. From 31 July 2026, products that do not meet the new requirements may no longer be placed on the EU market, and from 31 July 2028 non-compliant products already on the market may no longer be made available. SCCS/1459/11 placed it in the ++ band (11 to 100 reported positive reactions). One industry source says Great Britain has not adopted this expansion (position as at June 2026).

A list that does not name it does not prove it is absent: brands only have to name it above the threshold.

Frequency by concentration

  • Eau de parfum 7% of 4,929
  • Eau de toilette 3% of 1,228
  • Extrait 9% of 341
  • Parfum 19% of 194
  • Cologne 3% of 121
  • Body spray 22% of 49
  • Other 11% of 27

Share of the perfumes we hold a list for, in each concentration.

Named alongside

Share of the lists naming Synthetic musk that also name each of these.

Notes whose materials include it

Perfumes whose box names it

Common questions

What does Galaxolide smell like?

Galaxolide smells like a sweet, floral musk. Listings describe it as strong and diffusive, and suppliers call it a clean, persistent musk.

Is Galaxolide natural or synthetic?

Galaxolide is synthetic. PubChem describes it as a synthetic musk, and the US EPA calls it one of the most common synthetic polycyclic musks. The material I read names no natural source.

Why is hexamethylindanopyran on my perfume label?

Hexamethylindanopyran is the INCI name for Galaxolide. Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 added it to the named fragrance allergens, so it must be declared above 0.001% in leave-on or 0.01% in rinse-off products.