Tonalide

Tonalide is a synthetic musk fragrance ingredient used in a wide range of consumer products. It is valued in perfumery for its lasting, clean musk aroma and its ability to extend fragrance lifetimes on skin, fabrics, and in wash-off products. Tonalide is widely used in perfumes, colognes, soaps, detergents, cosmetics, and scented textiles, often incorporated at low concentrations due to its potency.

Chemically, tonalide belongs to the class of polycyclic musks and is produced by several fragrance houses under various trade names, with Tonalide appearing as an INCI designation on ingredient lists. It contributes a persistent musk note that helps stabilize and prolong fragrance profiles over time.

Environmental and regulatory considerations have affected tonalide use. Like other polycyclic musks, tonalide is persistent in the environment and can bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms, leading to regulatory scrutiny in some regions. Some jurisdictions have imposed restrictions or labeling requirements for polycyclic musks in certain products, and manufacturers have increasingly reformulated to reduce or replace these substances in some applications.

Safety information generally indicates low acute toxicity, but tonalide can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals at sufficient concentrations. As with many fragrance ingredients, its use is governed by cosmetic and product safety regulations that address labeling, safety testing, and exposure limits.

See also: fragrance ingredient, polycyclic musk, galaxolide, musk regulation, ambrettolide.