Animalic notes: civet, castoreum and ambergris in today's fragrances

Animalic notes are those that evoke skin, body heat, and leather: civet, castoreum, musk, and ambergris. In the past, some came from animals; today, perfumes almost always use synthetic reconstructions, which provide the same warmth without animal-derived raw materials.

The main notes

• Musk: today, these are synthetic musks, ranging from the cleanest to the warmest. See the musk note page.
• Ambergris: saline, warm, and associated with the sea. Today, it is mainly used in synthetic form, such as ambroxan. See ambergris.
• Civet: intense and almost fecal on its own, it becomes warm and sensual in small doses.
• Castoreum: leathery and smoky.

In which perfumes to find them

Fakhama by The Spirit of Dubai combines rose, amber, castoreum, and civet. Musk Extrême by Perris Monte Carlo has an animalic accord on musk and woods. Opus V by Amouage uses civet with iris and agarwood. In our catalog, ambergris appears in over 80 perfumes.

Why they are used

A small animalic note makes a perfume more alive, more "skin-like": it is the secret of many sensual perfumes. We talk about it in sensual perfumes.

Frequently asked questions

Do today's perfumes still contain animal ingredients?

Almost always no: synthetic reconstructions are used. If this is important to you, ask the fragrance house or check the product information.

What does ambergris smell like?

Saline, warm, slightly woody and musky, with a sensation of skin in the sun.