Globalide® (Symrise) AC

Globalide® by Symrise is a modern musk raw material (macrocyclic lactone) with a clean, fresh, dry and powdery musk character.

It is widely used in perfumery as a long-lasting, skin-friendly alternative to older nitro and polycyclic musks.

Globalide is a mixture of isomers of Oxacyclohexadecen-2-one (C₁₅H₂₆O₂).

What is Globalide?

• Chemical family: macrocyclic lactones (oxacyclohexadecenone).
• Developed by: Symrise, early 1990s, as a safe and clean musk alternative
• Odor profile: clean, fresh, dry, woody-musky with distinct powdery elements
• Biodegradable: approx. 97% according to Symrise, thus more environmentally friendly than older musk compounds

 

• Odor Character:
  • Clean and fresh – a clean musk often described as “wax fresh” or “textile-like.”
  • Powdery – gives a soft, elegant roundness to floral and citrus accords.
  • Musky – transparent, not heavy or animalistic, but rather modern and airy.
  • Slightly woody and dry – subtle woody undertone that adds depth.
  • Metallic-like facet – some descriptions mention a soft, metallic powder character that makes the fragrance modern.
• Substantivity: very high; remains detectable for hundreds of hours on odor strips and textiles

 

Properties

• Stability: well resistant to use in shampoo, soap, body lotion and detergents; less stable in bleaching agents.
• Application: widely used in perfumes, cosmetics and household products.
• Character: gives a clean, soft musk body that rounds out perfumes and provides fixation.

 

Use in perfumery

• Base note: Globalide is mainly used in the base of perfumes to create a long-lasting, soft musk base.
• Combinations: works well with floral accords (rose, jasmine), citrus notes and woody textures.
• Effect: adds sensuality and roundness without being overpowering; often used in modern, “clean” fragrances.

 

Comparison of commonly used musks

Musk	Chemical family	Fragrance profile	Sustainability / Environment	Typical applications
Globalide® (Symrise)	Macrocyclic lactone	Clean, fresh, musky, powdery, slightly woody	Highly biodegradable (~97%), skin-friendly	Base note, fixative in perfumes, cosmetics, waxes and personal care products
Galaxolide	Polycyclic musk	Round, sweet, fruity, soapy, clean musk	Less biodegradable, found in environment; partially restricted today	Commonly used in detergents, soaps, shampoos, cheap perfumes
Ambrettolide	Macrocyclic musk (lactone)	Soft, fruity, musky, slightly floral, elegant	Good biodegradable, sustainable alternative	Luxury perfumes, especially floral and fruity accords, natural musk substitute
Exaltolide	Macrocyclic musk (lactone)	Powdery, clean, soft musky, slightly sweet	Well biodegradable, safe	Fine fragrance, cosmetics, gives a soft, long-lasting musk body

 

Important to remember

• Macrocyclic musks (Globalide, Ambrettolide, Exaltolide) are more modern, cleaner and environmentally friendly than older polycyclic musks.
• Galaxolide was the standard in laundry and personal care products for many years, but is under pressure from environmental accumulation.
• Ambrettolide and Exaltolide are often seen as more luxurious, natural musk substitutes with a softer and more elegant profile.
• Globalide is Symrise’s own sustainable musk, with a clean, powdery signature that is broadly applicable.