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Galaxolide 50% in DPG – HHCB | Perfumery Raw Material
Galaxolide 50% in DPG – HHCB | Perfumery Raw Material
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Galaxolide® 50% in DPG
HHCB musk for professional perfumery
HHCB (hexamethylindanopyran) is a polycyclic musk and one of the most widely used in perfumery and in detergents and cleaning products. Clean, sweetish, slightly floral-woody.
This product is a ready-to-use 50% solution in DPG (dipropylene glycol) – ideal for direct use in fragrance formulas without additional dissolving.
Odor character
Galaxolide is perceived as:
- clean, powerful musk
- slightly floral, woody nuances
- soft powdery depth
- a long drydown – over 48 hours on the blotter
- transparent effect at any concentration
Galaxolide does not feel heavy. Even at high concentrations it stays transparent.
The scent is clean, sweet, slightly floral-woody. No animalic character, no dirty musk. Exactly what most people understand by "musk."
Use in perfumery
Galaxolide is one of the few materials that works simultaneously as a main accord and as an invisible fixative. It is suited to soft musk and white-musk accords, lends tenacity and substantivity, provides bloom and volume in almost any accord type, and rounds compositions off harmoniously.
Typical applications: skin-scent and clean-musk effects, floral, woody and oriental bases, body care, shampoo, detergents and fabric softeners. It blends easily with other musk types and reinforces their projection – especially in combination with Ambroxan and ISO E Super.
Why 50% in DPG?
Pure Galaxolide is a highly viscous, almost solid mass at room temperature. Weighing it out of the original container is barely possible in practice – the material can neither be dosed cleanly nor incorporated evenly into a formula.
For this reason, the 50% solution in DPG (dipropylene glycol) has become the industry standard. It turns a barely manageable mass into a clear, free-flowing liquid that can be measured precisely and used directly – without separate warming or dissolving before each use.
The dilution factor is known and constant: 1 g of the 50% solution corresponds to 0.5 g of pure HHCB. This makes formulas reproducible and dosages traceable – an advantage that matters especially in repeated test series.
Regulatory note
According to the IFRA 51st Amendment, Galaxolide (HHCB, CAS 1222-05-5) is not subject to any quantitative restriction; no IFRA Standard for HHCB is listed there.
A CLH classification (Repr. 1B) is currently under review at ECHA; the public consultation ended in March 2025 and industry has submitted objections. The outcome is open. Check current IFRA Standards and EU regulations before use in commercial products.
Galaxolide is considered not fully biodegradable and is under observation regarding its bioaccumulation potential in aquatic organisms (BCF 600–1,600, log Kow ≈ 5.5). Do not allow to enter waterways or drains.
Physico-chemical properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Product name | Galaxolide 50% in DPG |
| Active ingredient | HHCB (hexamethylindanopyran) |
| INCI name | Hexamethylindanopyran |
| Concentration | 50% HHCB in dipropylene glycol (DPG) |
| Fragrance family | musk / white musk / powdery / floral |
| Perfumery role | base note, fixative, musk structural material |
| Material form | clear, slightly viscous, colorless to nearly colorless liquid |
| Molecular formula | C₁₈H₂₆O |
| Molecular weight | 258.4 g/mol |
| Density at 20°C | 1.002–1.012 g/ml |
| Refractive index nD20 | 1.4940–1.5040 |
| Flash point | 105°C |
| Vapor pressure | 0.014 kPa (calculated) |
| Solubility | partially water-soluble; soluble in ethanol |
| Special note | may solidify at low temperatures |
| Storage | cool, dry, protected from light, tightly closed |
| Shelf life | 24 months (quality check recommended thereafter) |
| CAS no. | 1222-05-5 / 25265-71-8 (DPG) |
| EINECS | 214-946-9 |
| Customs tariff no. | 3302 90 00 00 |
| IFRA status | no IFRA Standard (51st Amendment) – no quantity restriction |
| Patent | US 3,360,530 (IFF, priority 1962, expired) · Patent Library |
Frequently asked questions
What is Galaxolide?
Galaxolide (HHCB) is a synthetic polycyclic musk and one of the most widely used musk materials – clean, soft, transparent at almost any concentration.
Why is Galaxolide only available as a 50% solution?
Pure Galaxolide is a highly viscous, almost solid mass and barely dosable directly in practice. The 50% solution in DPG turns it into a clear, precisely measurable liquid with a constant dilution factor.
Are there IFRA restrictions for Galaxolide?
According to the IFRA 51st Amendment, Galaxolide is not subject to any quantitative IFRA restriction; no IFRA Standard for HHCB is listed. The current IFRA Standard is authoritative.
How long does the scent of Galaxolide last?
Long – on the blotter, Galaxolide remains perceptible for over 48 hours.
Hazard Information (CLP Labelling)
Signal word: Warning
Hazard statements (H):
H410 – Very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects.
Precautionary statements (P):
P273 – Avoid release to the environment.
P391 – Collect spillage.
P501 – Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local regulations.
Mixture: Galaxolide 50% in DPG (active substance HHCB, CAS 1222-05-5). The relevant CLP hazard-labelling elements (pictogram, signal word, H and P statements) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), as amended, are reproduced here in full. The legally binding labelling appears on the packaging.
Important note
This product is a perfumery raw material intended exclusively for fragrance development, creative experimentation, education and the study of perfumery materials.
It is not a finished cosmetic product.
Please use responsibly.
See also: Cashmeran® 50% in DPG – warm, woody-spicy, likewise ready to use in DPG. Learn more about Galaxolide in our encyclopedia.
