Be Careful with White Musk

White musk is an aromatic ingredient hugely used in commercial perfumes. Most people don’t know what is white musk and what is real musk. But the problem is big companies are promoting this synthetic white musk as pure, authentic, or real musk. This article will explore exactly what it is and why you should be careful with white musk.

What is white musk?
Potential risks and allergies
Health concerns
Uses and potential health benefits of natural white musk ambrette

What is white musk?

Definition and composition

There is no easy way to say that there is no real white musk. So, where does the name come from? The white musk or the main compound that gets promoted or sold as white musk is a lab-made synthetic chemical known as Musk Ketone. The molecular formula of musk ketone is C14H18N205. This ingredient was first invented by German chemist Albert Baur in 1888 while he was working on the recently invented TNT, which accidentally happened to have a pleasant smell!

Common uses in perfumes and cosmetics

Musk ketone was widely used in so many perfumes and colognes (about 50% of every perfume and cologne contained a noticeable amount of it) until recently it was observed that it’s not safe for humans as well as animals. Later it was replaced by Xylene which was also removed from the list and was no longer used for safety reasons.

Potential risks and allergies

White musk has many different potential risks, from allergies to contact dermatitis to trouble breathing. Multiple studies suggest that chemical components used to make musk ketone may increase the risk of certain types of cancer. Exposure to strong colognes and perfumes that contain musk ketone may increase the risk of fragrance sensitivity. Sometimes can cause more serious, even life-threatening allergic reactions in people who have known allergies to fragrance.

Here are some potential risks and allergies associated with white musk:

Skin Irritation: White musk, like many fragrances, may cause skin irritation in some individuals. This can manifest as redness, itching, or a rash. If you have sensitive skin, it’s advisable to perform a patch test before applying products containing white musk to larger areas of your skin.
Allergic Reactions: Some people may be allergic to specific compounds used in the formulation of white musk. Allergic reactions can range from mild symptoms like sneezing and watery eyes to more severe reactions such as difficulty breathing or anaphylaxis. If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction, seek medical attention immediately.
Respiratory Issues: Fragrances, including white musk, can potentially trigger respiratory issues in sensitive individuals. This may include symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath. Individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions should be cautious when using products containing strong fragrances.
Hormonal Disruption: Some synthetic musks, including those used in white musk, have been studied for their potential to interfere with the endocrine system. However, more research is needed to fully understand the implications, and the concentrations used in personal care products are generally considered to be low.
Environmental Impact: Musk compounds can be persistent in the environment and have been detected in water sources. There are concerns about their potential environmental impact and accumulation in aquatic ecosystems.

Health concerns

Synthetic vs. natural white musk

While synthetic white musk is a lab-made chemical composition, Ambrette, or the botanical note that is derived from Hibiscus plants, is considered natural white musk. Ambrette is very similar or a substitute for real musk or animal musk collected from Musk Deer, an endangered species nowadays, and most countries banned hunting musk deer.

Synthetic white musk is considered dangerous and poisonous, that don’t break down in the environment and accumulates in the human bodies. As a result, it can cause many different health issues, from allergic reactions to hormonal disruptions to even certain types of cancers. It has also been suggested that exposure to perfumes and/or synthetic fragrances containing white musk may be linked to the development of autism spectrum disorder.^[1]

On the other hand, natural white musk or ambrette is safe for humans as well as the environment. Ambrette is nothing but seeds of the hibiscus plants, which is botanically known as Hibiscus Abelmoschus. Ambrette has a very soft, woody, sweet, and sensual scent that is very similar to real musk or animal musk.

Uses and potential health benefits of natural white musk ambrette

Uses of natural white musk ambrette

The oil derived from ambrette seeds is famously used as an alternative to real animal musk in preparing perfumes. But nowadays, this use of natural white musk or ambrette is overwhelmed by synthetic lab-made white musk that is prepared from dangerous artificial synthetic molecules. This is the reason why we strongly recommend using only natural white musk that is made from ambrette seeds and don’t get confused with synthetic white musk.

The musky smell of the essential oil derived from ambrette seeds has soft and relaxing properties, making it highly beneficial for aromatherapy uses.

Potential health benefits of Ambrette, the natural white musk

Ambrette or natural white musk has many medicinal properties. The relaxing qualities of natural white musk are widely used for improving various emotional imbalances such as depression, nervousness, and anxiety.

Ambrette tea or tincture is used to treat various intestinal disorders, including intestinal cramps and loss of appetite or anorexia. Ambrette oil also has a powerful expectorant quality, making it highly beneficial for clearing cough and phlegm, as well as treating various respiratory infections.

The oil of natural white musk or ambrette is also used to treat various types of skin disorders, ranging from dry skin to skin allergies. Ambrette seeds are rich in fiber, which is why it is used to stimulate bowel movement and treat constipation.

Natural white musk or ambrette has been shown to have potent anti-inflammatory properties, making it highly beneficial for treating various types of inflammations and infections, especially infections of the urinary tract and urinary bladder.

Ambrette is highly valued in the Indian traditional medicine known as Ayurveda. It is considered a great natural aphrodisiac, making it widely used to increase sexual stamina and self-confidence. In Ayurveda, it is also considered one of the most powerful natural adaptogens. Adaptogens are natural ingredients used to help the body adapt to stress and cope more efficiently with stressful situations. Ambrette can help maintain balance in the production of stress-fighting hormones. This is the reason why it is widely used to treat adrenal exhaustion syndrome.

White musk is an easy way to know the seller. You can recognize if a company is honest, competent, and loves authentic and genuine raw materials. See if they sell white musk and see if it’s being promoted as pure, authentic, real musk. If that is the case, be careful as this company may be selling some synthetic chemical muscone mix promoting it as if it is pure musk, mixed with some other (also synthetic) materials. Or disguised as cruelty-free vegan musk…

Here you can see our pure natural white musk Ambrette

References:
[1] Sealey, L.A.; Hughes, B.W.; Sriskanda, A.N.; Guest, J.R.; Gibson, A.D.; Johnson-Williams, L.; Pace, D.G.; Bagasra, O. (2016). “Environmental factors in the development of autism spectrum disorders”. Environment International. 88: 288–298. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2015.12.021.