Orcanox (Ambergris)

Amber-like, musky, animal, woody.

Ambrox, a synthetic substitute for its enigmatic counterpart ambergris, is used in perfumery as a base note for more complex fragrances. The molecule extends a perfumes’ trail—allowing the delicate fragrances to dance and linger a little while longer. Providing a sensual, skin-like smoothness, Ambrox is a complex molecule with musky, woody, and animal-like tones. For some, it recalls a warm softness while for others, it brings to mind the amber-like character of labdanum or clary sage.

Data sheet

Type

Production

Ambrox is produced synthetically in the laboratory using sclareol, a natural ingredient extracted from clary sage. It is silky smooth and velvety—working as a divine base note and fixative.

History

While Ambrox is an expensive synthetic product in and of itself, it is a much welcomed substitute for the far dearer natural alternative, ambergris (a natural substance meticulously sourced from the secretion of sperm whales). Ambrox is a synthetic note that simply cannot be found in nature. Today, the molecule is essential to perfumery.

Most combined ingredients

Iconic Fragrance

Le Labo

ANOTHER 13

Nathalie Lorson creates for Le Labo, in collaboration with AnOther Magazine, a perfume of ambergris, musky, addictive with its animal inflections, around twelve other ingredients, including jasmine, moss and ambrette.