**CAS Number:** 31906-04-4 **Synonyms:** 4-(4-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl)cyclohex-3-ene-1-carbaldehyde, Hydroxycitronellal Methyl Ether **IFRA Limit:** 0.2% **Hierarchy:** Base **Fragrance Family:** [[White Floral]] **Sub Families:** [[Lily]], [[Cyclamen]], [[Lilac]] ## More Info: **Where I Purchased This From:** https://evocativeperfumes.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=111 **Cost per Gram(AUD):** $0.80 ## Description: Lyral, also known as Hydroxycitronellal Methyl Ether, is a synthetic floral aldehyde once cherished for its soft, sweet, and powdery-lily-of-the-valley (Muguet) character. Its scent profile is light and airy, with a delicately green floralcy that feels clean, dewy, and subtly woody in the dry-down. Lyral was frequently used to lend a sense of freshness and elegance to floral accords, particularly in compositions where a transparent, aquatic softness was desired. One of Lyral’s standout qualities was its ability to mimic the elusive freshness of Muguet, a flower that cannot be directly extracted. While its profile was distinctly floral, it lacked the overly heady quality of materials like jasmine or tuberose, making it an ideal choice for creating light, approachable, and balanced floral notes. Its versatility also allowed it to pair seamlessly with citrus, green, or woody materials, amplifying their clarity while maintaining a soft, rounded texture. Functionally, Lyral worked beautifully as a blending agent. Its moderate diffusion and subtle yet recognizable presence gave it a chameleon-like ability to enhance and unify other florals like rose, freesia, or cyclamen, creating a seamless floral bouquet. In addition, its slight sweetness made it an excellent bridge between fresh and powdery notes, making it a staple in everything from clean, modern florals to comforting, nostalgic compositions. However, Lyral's widespread use in perfumery came to an end due to regulatory changes. It was identified as a potent allergen, leading to restrictions under IFRA guidelines and eventually its removal from most formulas. While this has been a significant loss for perfumers, the industry has been exploring alternatives, such as Lilyflore® and other Muguet-type molecules, though none fully replicate Lyral’s unique softness and charm. In hindsight, Lyral was a material that defined an era of light, airy floral fragrances. For perfumers who worked with it, its absence presents a challenge but also an opportunity to innovate and reimagine the delicate beauty it brought to compositions. ## Analysis: Percentage: 100% | Time | Thoughts | Strength | Tenacity | | -------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------- | -------- | | 1 min | Fresh, soft white floral with hints of lily, slightly powdery. | 3 | 7 | | 5 min | Very airy and fresh, soft white florals continue to dominate. | 3 | 7 | | 10 min | No changes, still fresh and soft with powdery white florals. | 3 | 7 | | 15 min | No changes, the scent remains consistent with soft white florals. | 3 | 7 | | 30 min | Still no changes, maintaining the same soft, fresh white floral profile. | 3 | 7 | | 1 hour | A soapy vibe starts to emerge, possibly due to its history in soap making. Strength is slowly diminishing, but there’s still a lingering nose sensation. | 2 | 7 | | 2 hours | No significant changes, just slightly less diffusive now. | 2 | 5 | | 4 hours | Nearly gone, only the faintest hint of floral remains. The scent has faded significantly in the last couple of hours. | 1 | 2 | | 6 hours | Nearly undetectable, with only a very faint floral trace that requires effort to detect. | 1 | 1 | | 12 hours | Very faint, initially a soft white floral hint, but almost impossible to detect upon further sniffing. The unique nose sensation has disappeared. | 1 | 1 | | 1 day | Little to no change since the 12-hour mark, the scent remains virtually absent. | 1 | 1 | ## Final Thoughts Lyral has a pleasant floral aroma, but what stands out most to me is the unique sensation it creates for the nose. It’s a bit hard to articulate, but it almost seems to engage your senses before the actual floral notes reveal themselves, giving a distinctive feeling of something happening in the background. However, it’s important to note that Lyral is no longer widely used, as it’s been banned in the EU due to its allergenic potential. Despite its beautiful scent, I would recommend avoiding it for that reason, especially if you're formulating with regulations in mind.