MUSK

Musk is a class of fragrant substances used in perfumery and cosmetics. The term originally referred to natural secretions produced by the musk glands of the musk deer (genus Moschus), which impart a strong, long-lasting scent and function as a fixative that helps other fragrance notes persist. Because musk deer have faced poaching and habitat loss, natural musk production is tightly regulated and greatly diminished; in modern perfumery, most musk is synthetic.

Synthetic musks are developed to mimic the odor of natural musk and to provide stability and duration. They fall into categories such as nitro musks and polycyclic or macrocyclic musks, and are widely used as base notes in perfumes as well as in soaps, detergents, and other consumer products. The use of musk substitutes has reduced demand on wild musk deer, but raised concerns about environmental persistence and potential health effects.

Regulatory and environmental notes: Some nitro musks have been restricted or phased out in cosmetics in several regions due to persistence and accumulation in the environment and possible risks to human health. Polycyclic and macrocyclic musks are also scrutinized for environmental impacts, leading to increased use of alternative scent ingredients.

The word Musk can also refer to the musk deer itself or to individuals bearing the surname. Notable people with the name include Elon Musk, a technology entrepreneur and CEO of SpaceX and Tesla.