**CAS Number:** 1222-05-5 **Synonyms:** 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta(g)-2-benzopyran; hexahydro-hexamethylcyclopenta-benzopyran; 4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethyl-1,3,4,7-tetrahydrocyclopenta(g)isochromene **IFRA Limit:** None **Hierarchy:** Base **Fragrance Family:** [[Musk]] **Sub Families:** [[Clean]] ## More Info: **Where I Purchased This From:** https://evocativeperfumes.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=91 **Cost per Gram(AUD):** $0.28 ## Description: Galaxolide, also known as HHCB (Hexahydrohexamethylcyclopentabenzopyran), is one of the most iconic synthetic musk compounds in modern perfumery. First introduced in the 1960s, it quickly became a workhorse material due to its versatility, clean profile, and affordability. It’s a polycyclic musk, part of a family of materials designed to replicate the warm, skin-like effect of natural musks while being synthetically produced for broader accessibility. Olfactorily, Galaxolide is best described as a clean, slightly sweet, and powdery musk. Its profile is soft and enveloping, evoking the comforting scent of freshly laundered linen or warm, sunlit skin. While its scent is not as “heavy” or animalic as nitro musks or some macrocyclic musks, its subtle warmth and light diffusion make it a perfect base material in both fine fragrances and functional products, such as detergents, fabric softeners, and personal care items. One of the most appealing aspects of Galaxolide is its adaptability. It works across an incredibly wide spectrum of fragrance families, from fresh, citrusy colognes to rich, ambery orientals. Its low odor intensity allows it to blend seamlessly with other ingredients, enhancing their longevity and adding a velvety smoothness to the overall composition. It’s particularly effective in rounding out woody, floral, and fruity notes, giving them a polished and cohesive feel. Technically, Galaxolide is highly stable, making it ideal for use in challenging applications like candles, soaps, and laundry care products. It’s also incredibly tenacious—its clean muskiness can linger for hours, extending the life of a fragrance and anchoring more volatile top notes. However, Galaxolide has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years due to environmental concerns. As a synthetic musk, it is not readily biodegradable, and its accumulation in aquatic ecosystems has raised questions about its long-term impact. As a result, many perfumers and fragrance houses have started to reduce or eliminate its use, opting for more environmentally friendly alternatives like macrocyclic musks (e.g., Exaltolide or Habanolide) or even sustainable botanical musks. For those who’ve worked with Galaxolide, it’s clear why it became such a staple: its ability to impart a clean, skin-like softness without overwhelming a composition is unparalleled. While its regulatory future remains uncertain, it’s impossible to deny the significant role it has played in shaping the modern musk category. ## Analysis: Percentage: 50% | Time | Thoughts | Strength | Tenacity | | -------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------- | -------- | | 1 min | Very soft and clean smelling, reminds me of fresh laundry. Also slightly powdery | 3 | 3 | | 5 min | Soft, clean, and fluffy. Feels like it’s getting slightly stronger. | 3 | 3 | | 10 min | No significant changes. Still soft and clean with a powdery edge. | 3 | 3 | | 15 min | No changes. The scent remains delicate and fresh. | 3 | 3 | | 30 min | Starting to smell a little more powdery now, still very clean and fresh. | 4 | 3 | | 1 hour | Still soft and fresh, powdery elements are more noticeable now. | 4 | 3 | | 2 hours | No major changes, still clean and fluffy with a powdery undertone. | 4 | 3 | | 4 hours | The dry-down is very pleasant, a classic clean musk scent that’s soft and comforting. | 3 | 3 | | 6 hours | Extremely soft now, still has that clean, powdery, and slightly creamy touch. Retains a lovely soft laundry-like smell. | 2 | 1 | | 12 hours | Very soft but still noticeable, maintains that clean, fluffy, powdery feel. | 2 | 1 | | 1 day | Still soft, not very diffusive or strong, but the scent is still pleasant and comforting. | 1 | 1 | ## Final Thoughts Galaxolide is a fantastic musk material that truly stands out for its versatility and longevity. It offers a clean, pleasant musk without being overpowering, making it easy to integrate into any formula. From my experience, you can use quite a bit of this material, and it works wonders in adding body to a composition while also helping to fix other materials in place. Overall, I really enjoy using Galaxolide; it’s a reliable and essential component for creating well-rounded, long-lasting fragrances.