Musky notes

What Does It Smell Like?

Musky notes smell like clean skin warmed by the sun—intimate and softly animalic without being harsh. Imagine the faint scent of your own neck after a few hours outdoors, or expensive cashmere that's been gently worn. There's a powdery, almost soapy quality paired with subtle earthiness, like dried skin musk or the inside of a luxury leather glove. It's sensual yet comforting, never overpowering—more a whisper than a shout, wrapping around you like a second skin.

Origin & History

Historically, musk came from the musk deer's gland secretions, prized for centuries in Asia and the Middle East. Today, it's almost entirely synthetic—primarily polycyclic musks (galaxolide, versalide) created in laboratories through chemical synthesis. These were developed in the 1950s as sustainable alternatives. Some modern perfumers also use botanical musks derived from ambroxan (found in ambergris-inspired synthetics) or plant-based sources like angelica root. The shift to synthetics was both ecological and practical, allowing consistent quality and availability.

In Perfumery

Musky notes function as fixatives and base notes, extending a fragrance's longevity whilst adding sensuality and roundness. They're the invisible glue that binds top and heart notes together, creating cohesion. Perfumers use them to add skin-like warmth without competing, enhancing the wearer's natural scent rather than masking it—hence their use in "second skin" fragrances and intimate scents.

Pairs Beautifully With

Featured In 14 Fragrances