✦ Macrocyclic musk by Firmenich — clean, radiant, slightly metallic
✦ Liquid form for easy weighing and blending
✦ Highly biodegradable — modern eco-friendly musk
✦ Excellent fixative and substantivity on fabric and skin
✦ Found in countless modern fine fragrances and fabric care
✦ IFRA-friendly with no major restrictions
✦ 100% vegan and cruelty-free

Habanolide is a macrocyclic musk created by Firmenich, belonging to the family of large-ring lactones that mimic the natural musks once obtained from animal sources. It is structurally close to Ambrettolide and shares the clean, smooth character that defines the modern musk palette developed from the 1980s onward.

What sets Habanolide apart is its unique radiance — clean and almost metallic, with a subtle ambrette and marine nuance that lifts a fragrance rather than weighing it down. It is a liquid at room temperature, making it far easier to handle than crystalline musks, and it combines beautifully with both natural and synthetic materials. Its biodegradability makes it the modern replacement for older polycyclic musks like Galaxolide in eco-conscious formulations.

Bio Shop Pakistan supplies cosmetic-grade Habanolide suitable for fine fragrance, attar blending, soap making, candles, lotions, fabric care, and functional perfumery.

SCENT DESCRIPTION : Clean, radiant musk with a smooth metallic shimmer and a soft ambrette-seed nuance. It feels airy and almost transparent, like sun-dried laundry on a breezy day. There is a faint marine and slightly waxy character that gives depth without heaviness. The overall effect is modern, polished, and luminous.

NOTE POSITION : Base (with strong mid-to-base radiance)
FRAGRANCE FAMILY : Musk · Clean · Modern
FACETS : Clean · Metallic · Ambrette · Laundry · Radiant
TENACITY : Very High — 24 to 48+ hours on skin, several days on fabric
SILLAGE : Medium to High — diffusive yet smooth, never loud

Chemical Name : Pentadec-12-enolide (mixture of E/Z isomers)
CAS Number : 111879-80-2
Synonyms : 15-Pentadec-11-enolide · Macrocyclic Musk · Habanolide™ (Firmenich)
Purity % : ≥ 95% (verify with supplier batch)
Appearance : Colorless to pale yellow clear liquid
Odor Threshold : Very low — detectable at sub-ppm level
Solubility : Soluble in alcohol, DPG, IPM, oils — insoluble in water
Specific Gravity : ~0.95 (verify with supplier)
Flash Point : > 100°C (verify with supplier)
Type : Synthetic (macrocyclic lactone musk)

Fine Fragrance ★★★★★
A staple of modern perfumery. Habanolide gives white florals, citrus, and aquatic compositions their clean, sunlit radiance. It works as both a fixative and a luminous accent in the base.

Attar & Oriental Blending ★★★★
Excellent for modernizing oud, rose, and sandalwood mukhallats. A small dose adds lift and a clean halo without disturbing the traditional warmth of oriental compositions.

Functional Fragrance ★★★★★
One of the most widely used musks in detergents, fabric softeners, shampoos, and deodorants. It survives surfactants and laundry processes beautifully and leaves a long-lasting clean trail on fabric.

Cosmetics ★★★★
Smooth and skin-friendly in lotions, creams, and body care. It boosts the perception of cleanliness and softness in any cosmetic base.

Home Fragrance ★★★★
Adds depth and substantivity to reed diffusers and room sprays, especially in clean linen, cotton, and floral compositions. In candles it works best in lower percentages due to its heavy molecular weight.

EDP : up to 10% of fragrance concentrate
EDT : up to 8% of fragrance concentrate
Body Lotion : 0.2% to 1% of finished product
Shampoo/Body Wash : 0.5% to 1.5% of finished product
Candle : 1% to 4% of fragrance load
Reed Diffuser : 2% to 6% of fragrance load
Soap (CP/MP) : 1% to 3% of finished product

IFRA 51st Amendment
Macrocyclic musks including Habanolide are generally not restricted under the current IFRA standards in most product categories. Always confirm with the latest IFRA certificate from your supplier batch.

⚠️ Use within recommended levels — overdosing can flatten a composition and reduce diffusion despite the high tenacity.

Method 1 — Modern Clean Base
Combine Habanolide with Galaxolide, Iso E Super, and Ambroxan to build a transparent, radiant musk-amber base ideal for clean and modern signatures.

Method 2 — Laundry & Linen Accord
Blend with Cetalox, Ethylene Brassylate, and a touch of Hedione to create a true sun-dried-laundry impression for fabric care, soaps, and shampoos.

Method 3 — Softening Oriental Lift
Add 2 to 5% Habanolide to oud-rose, sandalwood, or amber mukhallats to give a modern airy halo without breaking the traditional character.

BEST PAIRINGS
Galaxolide → Boosts powdery clean musk depth
Ambrettolide → Adds natural ambrette warmth and skin feel
Iso E Super → Smooth woody radiance and diffusion
Hedione → Floral lift and transparency
Cetalox / Ambroxan → Mineral amber-musk modernity
Ethylene Brassylate → Sweet laundry softness
Sandalwood (Mysore or synthetic) → Creamy elegant base

AVOID
Overloading with other heavy musks at the same time — the radiance can dull. Use Habanolide as the “light” in a multi-musk accord, not the only player.

Habanolide is one of those quiet workhorses I reach for when a composition needs to breathe. It does not shout like Galaxolide or hum like Ambrettolide — it shimmers. It is the musk that makes a fragrance feel washed in sunlight rather than perfumed.

ADVANCED TIP
Build a "musk accord" first before composing the rest of the perfume. Start with 40% Habanolide, 30% Galaxolide, 20% Ethylene Brassylate, and 10% Ambrettolide. Dilute this accord to 10% in DPG and use it as your base musk module — it will give every formula a consistent, modern, radiant signature with minimum guesswork.

Physical State : Clear liquid at room temperature
Skin Safety : Safe within IFRA limits — non-sensitizing in normal use
Eye Contact : Avoid contact — rinse with water if exposed
Ingestion : Not for ingestion — keep out of reach of children
Ventilation : Use in a well-ventilated area when weighing concentrates
Storage : Cool, dark place — away from heat and direct sunlight
Shelf Life : 24 to 36 months in sealed original container
Container : Amber glass or HDPE plastic — keep tightly closed
Flammability : Combustible liquid — keep away from open flame

Q: What does Habanolide smell like?
A: Clean, radiant, slightly metallic musk with a soft ambrette and laundry-fresh feel. It is luminous rather than heavy.

Q: Is Habanolide safe for skin and cosmetics?
A: Yes, it is widely used in lotions, deodorants, and fine fragrance within recommended IFRA levels. Always patch test finished products.

Q: Can I use Habanolide in laundry detergents and softeners?
A: Absolutely — it is one of the most popular musks for fabric care because it survives wash cycles and clings beautifully to fibers.

Q: How much Habanolide should I use in a perfume?
A: Typically 2% to 10% of the fragrance concentrate, depending on the style. Start low and build up to taste.

Q: How does Habanolide compare to Galaxolide and natural ambrette?
A: Galaxolide is sweeter and powdery, natural ambrette is warmer and more skin-like, while Habanolide is cleaner, more radiant, and biodegradable — making it the modern eco-friendly choice.