Nine white musk perfumes that smell like clean skin

Our selection

9 perfumes, in order

1. 1

   Byredo · 2009 · Woody Floral Musk

   Bal d'Afrique

   Number one because it is the only perfume here actually classed as musky. The citrus and neroli opening goes fast, then violet and vetiver melt into a warm, airy musk. It suits anyone who finds CK One too plain. The catch is projection: this is a scent for people standing close to you, not across the room.

   BergamotLemonNeroliViolet
2. 2

   Calvin Klein · 1994 · Citrus Aromatic

   CK One

   White musk at its most straightforward. Bergamot, pineapple and lemon burn off within half an hour. What remains is musk, cedar and a little amber that smell like a clean T-shirt. We ranked it second for clarity and because it works at any age, on anyone. Longevity is short, much shorter than Bal d’Afrique.

   BergamotPineappleLemonJasmine Similar perfumes
3. 3

   Calvin Klein · 1988 · Floral

   Eternity

   Sophia Grojsman set lily, rose and narcissus over sandalwood, amber and musk. The result smells like fresh linen among cut flowers. It is more floral than CK One and more present too, at intensity 3. Good for the office and warm days. Some will call it too polite, which is also what makes it an easy white musk.

   FreesiaMandarinSageRose
4. 4

   Jo Malone · 2014 · Woody Aromatic

   Wood Sage & Sea Salt

   Sea salt, sage and driftwood surround the musk here. Ambrette sits up top, a seed that smells musky in its own right. Think skin after a day at the beach. Great for a man or a woman who wants white musk without the flowers of Eternity. As a cologne it needs a top-up by mid-afternoon.

   GrapefruitAmbretteSageMusk
5. 5

   Issey Miyake · 1992 · Floral Aquatic

   L'Eau d'Issey

   Lotus, melon and peony float over a base where musk comes first, ahead of cedar and amber. Jacques Cavallier made it a very clean watery floral, ideal for a hot day at work. The melon note still splits people. If it bothers you, Dolce gives a similar softness without the fruit.

   LotusMelonFreesiaPeony
6. 6

   Dolce & Gabbana · 2014 · Floral

   Dolce

   The softest pick on the list. Neroli, papaya and white water lily slide into cashmeran, musk and amber. The whole thing smells milky and skin-like. It is for women who find Eternity too crisp. The downside is weak projection at intensity 2, so it fades fast. Save it for quiet days.

   NeroliNarcissusCashmeranMusk
7. 7

   Creed · 1995 · Citrus Aromatic

   Silver Mountain Water

   Green tea and blackcurrant over a musky base with sandalwood and petitgrain. It is the coldest, most crystalline scent here. This is our pick for a man who wants white musk without flowers, though it works just as well on women. The blackcurrant has a metallic edge that not everyone likes. Best in spring.

   BergamotMandarinNeroliBlack Currant
8. 8

   Dolce & Gabbana · 2001 · Floral Fruity

   Light Blue

   Apple, bluebell and cedar lead into a stripped-back base of musk and amber. Light Blue is a summer fruity first, and the musk only arrives at the end. We put it eighth because it fades quickly. Still the easiest holiday choice here, and less soapy than CK One.

   AppleCedarJasmineRose
9. 9

   Issey Miyake · 1994 · Woody Aquatic

   L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme

   Sharp yuzu opens, then nutmeg and cinnamon pass through before a base of sandalwood, vetiver and musk. For men it is the brightest take on clean musk, spicier than Silver Mountain Water. The sour opening can feel shrill, so give it twenty minutes before you decide.

   BergamotLemonNutmegCinnamon