Synthetic Basenotes

Ambroxan (Ambrox) – A highly tenacious, dry ambergris-like material with clean, woody, slightly musky facets. Used to add radiance, fixation, and warmth. Pairs beautifully with woods, musks, and florals, and acts as a backbone for many modern niche perfumes.

Cashmeran – Warm, musky-woody with hints of pepper, amber, and suede. Adds a soft, plush texture to the base and excellent diffusion. Useful for giving sensuality and body without heaviness.

Iso E Super – A radiant, velvety molecule with abstract woody-amber qualities. Technically a heart-to-base material, it adds lift and sillage to the entire formula. Used in woody, musky, and transparent floral compositions.

Cetalox – Dry, mineral, ambergris-like and clean. A cousin of Ambroxan with less woodiness. Common in marine, clean, and minimalist base accords, especially in “skin-scent” perfumes.

Karanal – Powerful, diffusive, hot-amber molecule with metallic brightness. Often used in amber bases, orientals, and fantasy woods to intensify volume and heat. Should be used in trace to low percentages due to strength.

Norlimbanol – Very dry, ambery-woody with exceptional longevity. Adds strength and a masculine drydown. Used in woods, leathers, and minimal compositions needing a raw backbone.

Velvione – A very soft, warm macrocyclic musk. Clean, airy, and powdery. Used to extend and soften florals and orientals. Musk base notes like Velvione form the “cloud” around which a fragrance dries down.

Habanolide – Musky with a fresh, almost metallic-clean nuance. Very long-lasting and skin-like. Frequently used in modern clean florals and minimalist fragrances for “second skin” effects.

Exaltolide – Warm, sweet, and radiant musk with creamy undertones. Enhances diffusion and longevity without heaviness. Pairs well with vanilla, florals, and ambery blends.

Ethylene Brassylate – A classic, powdery and slightly fruity musk. Adds a gentle sweetness and fixative character to bases. Works well in vintage-style or powdery compositions.

Galaxolide – Soft, sweet, clean musk with a laundry-fresh character. Common in commercial perfumery; great for extending florals, ambers, or aquatic musks. Overuse can smell synthetic or shampoo-like.

Muscenone – Refined, elegant musk with fruity undertones. Extremely diffusive. A drop adds refinement to white floral or woody bases.

Tonalid – Sweet, warm, and creamy musk with excellent staying power. Often found in gourmand and ambery formulas. Has a powdery-drydown reminiscent of vintage perfumes.

Vulcanolide – A newer macrocyclic musk with high radiance and a woody undertone. Long-lasting and subtle. Useful in musky-skin style perfumes with minimalistic structures.

Veramoss – A synthetic oakmoss alternative. Mossy, green, slightly woody with leathery facets. IFRA-safe and useful in building chypres and fougères.

Evernyl (aka Mousse de Chêne Synthétique) – Synthetic oakmoss note with green, slightly sweet and woody facets. Adds retro elegance and structure to chypres, leather, and woods.

Kephalis – Ambery-woody, tobacco-like molecule with leather and smoky nuances. Deep and tenacious. Adds richness to orientals, leathers, and woods.

Timberol – Woody, slightly smoky and earthy with extreme longevity. Reinforces sandalwood, oud, and vetiver bases. Trace amounts add structure and realism to dark, resinous accords.

Okoumal – Woody-amber molecule with creamy sandalwood facets. Round and rich, it mimics natural woods and enhances volume in the drydown.

Ambrinol – One of the closest aroma chemicals to true ambergris. Smooth, warm, slightly marine and musky. Fixative and radiant—ideal for high-end compositions needing a signature base.