Musk scent is a class of aromatic substances commonly used as base notes in perfumery. It was originally harvested from animal sources, but synthesized varieties are now used in most products. Here are some details about musk scent:
Positive
- Softens the smell of other ingredients while also increasing their projection off the skin.
- It smells like skin itself and almost hypnotizes.
- It is incredibly versatile, in a perfumers hands: it softens, balances, and fixes (adds staying power and keeps a fragrance on the skin, while stopping other short-lived ingredients from disappearing too fast).
Negative
- Before being appreciated, the perfume of musk is difficult to breathe. Once out of its pocket, its smell is so strong that even the fastest ships would not carry it at the time. Strongly ammoniated, it gives off scents of wood, fur, and feces.
Ingredients or materials
- Musk was originally processed from an animal secretion that smells similar to urine, produced by drying the musk gland of the male musk deer, cutting it into small pieces, and then soaking it in alcohol for months or years.
- Natural musk was used extensively in perfumery until the late 19th century when economic and ethical motives led to the adoption of synthetic musk, which is now used almost exclusively.
- Synthetic musks, such as versalide and galaxolide, are used to replicate the scent of natural musk in most products.
- There are hundreds of different synthetic musks, but manufacturers continue to research and develop new compounds that are non-toxic and biodegradable in an attempt to more perfectly replicate the properties of natural musk scent and lower production costs.
- Other ingredients, such as extracts of ambrette seed, galbanum, and angelica root, can also deliver a musky sensuality to a perfume.
Product details
- Musk is a heavy odor, which is what allows it to persist in the forest and serve its function of attracting female musk deer.
- The molecular structure of musk allows it to cling to the skin for multiple hours, giving fragrances a long-lasting scent.
- The high cost of producing synthetic musk with desirable properties for use in perfumes is the main driver of the high cost of high-end products.
- Musk was one of the animal raw materials used in perfumery, along with civet, castoreum, ambergris, and hyraceum. Musk is now banned in perfumery, and there are many alternatives to avoid using.
- Animal notes were used to bring a very sensual side to perfumes.
In summary, musk scent is a class of aromatic substances commonly used as base notes in perfumery. It was originally harvested from animal sources, but synthesized varieties are now used in most products. Musk scent has positive effects such as softening the smell of other ingredients, while also increasing their projection off the skin. However, before being appreciated, the perf...
