Ambroxan
a clean, warm, faintly salty skin effect. A lab-made stand-in for ambergris, and much of why so many modern scents smell clean in the same way as each other
In 66 of 1747 fragrances here, most often worn in autumn
What it is
A single synthetic molecule, made from clary sage, standing in for ambergris. Cheap, stable and extremely persistent.
What it smells like
Clean, warm and faintly salty, and closer to an effect than to a smell. It is much of why so many fragrances released since 2010 smell clean in the same particular way, and some people cannot detect it at all while others find it overwhelming.
Where it sits
Which layer of the pyramid it is listed in, across every fragrance here that carries it. A base note is one you smell for hours; a top note is usually gone within the first.
What it turns up with
How much more often than the catalogue average. 1.0x would be chance, so these are the things that genuinely travel with it rather than the things that are simply common.
When it is worn
Against the average fragrance here. The line marks that average, so a bar past it means this is worn in that season or setting more than most.
Houses that use it most
Counted across the fragrances here, which reflects what we cover as much as what a house makes.
Armaf (10), Creed (6), Le Labo (5), Parfums De Marly (5), Byredo (3), Calvin Klein (3).
The description above is written here. The counts, pairings and seasons are measured across every fragrance on this site that lists it. We have not smelled every bottle behind those numbers.
Fragrances with ambroxan
The best known of them, each with its full note pyramid and its cheaper alternatives.
Parfums De Marly
Parfums De Marly Sedley
Availability may vary
Gianni Versace
Versace Eros Pour Femme
Availability may vary
Gianni Versace
Versace Dylan Purple
Availability may vary