Name
Musk
Latin name
Moschus Moschiferus
Category
Amber, musks, animalic
Information
Musk is a secretion from the perianal glands of the Siberian musk deer. To obtain the musk, the male had to be killed. For this reason, the use of natural musk in perfumes is currently banned. Therefore, synthetic musk and natural musk equivalents (e.g. ambrette) are used in perfumery. Unfortunately, there are still countries where the demand for natural musk is high, because musk is considered a strong aphrodisiac (the musk tree produces this substance to attract women) and has therapeutic effects, e.g. impotence.
Synthetic musk (white musk) is widely used in perfumery and can be found in almost every perfume. Musk is not just a fragrance note, but an ingredient that in the hands of an experienced perfumer can be used to soften, balance, compose and improve the durability of a perfume.
Musk can have a very different smell. The smell of fresh, natural musk is rather unpleasant; only after processing does it smell more pleasant. Musk can add sweetness, powderiness, it can also have a metallic character. It can be associated with whiteness, purity, subtlety, the smell of the skin.
