Musk is a class of fragrant substances used as base notes in perfumery. It is a warm, subtle scent defined by a complex range of powdery, sweet, woodsy, and earthy aromas, with fruity or floral undertones depending on the musk. The organic compound primarily responsible for the characteristic odor of musk is muscone. Musk was originally obtained from a gland of the musk deer, and it has been used as a popular perfume fixative since ancient times. However, musk is now exclusively obtained from ethical safe synthetic sources.
The aroma of musk is usually described abstractly as animalistic, earthy, and woody or something akin to the odor of babys skin. It has been described as a better version of our natural skin scent. The typical musky smell develops from the natural musk tincture once the volatile parts have evaporated, allowing the sensual and warm “true” musk scent to emerge.
Musk is often associated with religious significance. In Islam, musk is considered to be the most fragrant of the scents and was widely used by the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his companions.
Positive aspects of musk include its alluring and seductive nature, its powdery, soft, and somewhat sweet scent, and its ability to add long-lasting allure to fragrances. The clean scent that musk fragrance gives off is one of the reasons people like it, as many people are naturally drawn to cleaner smells.
Negative aspects of musk include its association with animal cruelty, as it was originally derived from animals and the harvesting of musk led to the death of the deer. However, musky scents are now exclusively obtained from ethical safe synthetic sources.
Ingredients or materials used in musk include muscone, synthetic musk, aromatic nitro musks, polycyclic musk compounds, macrocyclic musk compounds, floral exaltolide, and powdery ambrettolide.
