Musk is perhaps the most sensual, grounding note in all of perfumery. It is the "skin-like" scent that makes a perfume feel sexy. But for centuries, getting that scent was a bloody business.
The Dark History
Originally, musk was harvested from the gland of the Musk Deer, which required killing the animal. Thankfully, this is now illegal and widely banned in most of the world.
The Environmental Problem: Polycyclic Musks
To replace deer musk, chemists created synthetic "Polycyclic Musks" (like Galaxolide). While cruelty-free, these were found to be an environmental disaster. They do not biodegrade. They wash off your skin, go down the drain, and stay in our oceans forever, accumulating in marine life.
The Modern Solution: Biodegradable Musk
We refuse to use dirty synthetics. We use modern Macrocyclic Musks. These are advanced molecules that smell identical to the warm, soft scent of natural musk but are:
-
Cruelty-Free: No animals involved.
-
Biodegradable: They break down safely in the environment.
At Youm & Layl, you can smell incredible without the guilt.