Synthetic

Galaxolide

Note Profile

Molecule 5 perfumes

About

Clean white musk

Scent Profile

Galaxolide is a synthetic musk with a clean, soft, and slightly powdery scent profile. It features subtle floral and woody undertones, evolving into a lingering, airy muskiness that imparts a sense of freshness. Its character is smooth and transparent, lacking the animalic facets of natural musks.

ScentWheel

Breadthfocused

EnvelopeBase · ~36h lasting

Family Amber · Musk · Leather

Read off the wheel, not a label applied to the note.

What this is made of

galaxolide

Names this molecule

CAS 1222-05-5

The note name IS the molecule.

Declarable allergen: Named in EU Annex III as Hexamethylindanopyran products must list this name above a set concentration

These are facts about the substance, not about any perfume with this note.

Why that matters

A perfume that names Galaxolide can use a different extract, a reformulated version, or a synthetic reconstruction. It can also hold less than the amount that requires a declaration. We cannot tell which applies. These rows cover only the substances we hold a link for.

How the layers join

Origin

Galaxolide is produced through chemical synthesis, primarily from tetramethylindanone derivatives. It was first developed in the 1960s as a safe and sustainable alternative to natural musk, which is no longer used in perfumery due to ethical and regulatory reasons.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers use Galaxolide mainly as a base note to provide lasting clean muskiness and to enhance the diffusion of other ingredients. It is commonly blended with florals, citrus, and woody notes, and is a staple in modern musky accords for both fine fragrance and functional products.