Civet

At a glance

Civet is a glandular secretion harvested mainly from African‑civet farms; diluted it provides a warm, sweet‑yet‑animalic note used as a fixative in perfumery.

Where natural raw materials actually come from → · Why some materials get IFRA-restricted →

Origin

Synthesized in laboratories; historically derived from the civet cat, now largely banned or discontinued

Extraction

Chemical synthesis

Chemical family

macrocyclic ketone (civetone)

Profile

Warm, fecal-floral scent that becomes pleasant and radiant at trace dilution

IFRA status

Regulated, category-dependent IFRA limits typical of synthetic animalics

Cost tier

Medium