Ingredient Guide
Basic Information
Lily of the valley is called suzuran in Japanese and muguet in French. The French name comes from nutmeg (muscade in French). Since muscade in turn derives from musk (musc), lily of the valley is also known in France as “musk of the woods.”
In France it is a symbol of happiness, and there is a custom of giving lily of the valley to loved ones on May 1 (care is needed, however, because the plant is toxic and its toxic substances can also seep into the water in which it is placed). The custom goes back to Charles IX, the twelfth King of France, who was delighted to receive a bouquet of lily of the valley on May 1, 1561.
Muguet as a Fragrance Material
As a rule, the scent is created synthetically, because extraction gives a very poor yield and the absolute smells different from the flower itself. Materials used to evoke muguet have included Hydroxycitronellal, Liral, and Lilial. Permitted uses and concentration limits differ by material. Alcohol-based materials such as Mayol, Majantol, and Florosa are also used to express the scent of muguet.
A representative lily-of-the-valley soliflore is Diorissimo (Dior, 1956, Edmond Roudnitska).
The first lily-of-the-valley formula was created in Grasse in 1900, followed by Coty’s Muguet des Bois in 1942 and Dior’s Diorissimo in 1956. IFF also developed lily-of-the-valley materials. Perfumes such as Estée Lauder’s Youth-Dew and Clinique’s Aromatics Elixir have used the lily-of-the-valley note.
At first I was working on the lily-of-the-valley note, but I was also working on the hyacinth note at the same time. Thanks to that green note, the lily-of-the-valley scent came closer to nature.
Edmond Roudnitska
Some fragrance materials are subject to concentration limits under IFRA’s safety standards. Jean-Claude Ellena’s Muguet Porcelaine (Hermès, 2016) evokes the small flowers of lily of the valley and their surrounding leaves.
A rebel whose innocent delicacy conceals strength and mystery.
Hermès, Muguet Porcelaine press material
What Does It Smell Like in Perfume?
Muguet in perfume is a reconstructed note built from multiple fragrance materials, suggesting tiny dew-covered white flowers, green leaves, moisture, and soap. Lilyflore brings a watery freshness and powderiness; Muguissimo maintains a fresh, clean scent from the top notes through the base; and Aquaflora has a transparency reminiscent of green leaves and water. Each is an individual synthetic material used to express muguet, rather than a complete muguet accord on its own. Their differences shape the freshness and depth of the floral impression.
Choosing Lily of the Valley Fragrances
Lily-of-the-valley fragrances combine the freshness of small white flowers with green notes and powdery softness.
- Lily of the valley itself: Muguet-centered fragrances suit those who enjoy the scent of small white flowers.
- Vivid green notes: Galbanum and similar pairings add vivid greenness to soft flowers.
- A rich bouquet: Iris, rose, jasmine, and other flowers add a range of floral scents alongside lily of the valley.
Fragrances Featuring Lily of the Valley
Muguet 2026 (Guerlain)
A limited-edition lily-of-the-valley fragrance by Thierry Wasser. Created to celebrate the arrival of spring, it puts muguet at the center.
N°19 Eau de Parfum (Chanel)
Rose, ylang-ylang, and lily of the valley are layered with vivid green galbanum and powdery iris. Lily of the valley mingles with bright green notes and other flowers.
From Lily of the Valley to Your Next Fragrance
Once you have a sense of the scents you enjoy, open our Fragrance Finder. Choose “Favorite fragrances & notes” on the home screen, search in the “Favorite notes” field, and select an option from the suggestions shown. Choose “Next” to continue. You can start with notes even if you do not yet have a favorite perfume.
References
- Dior, “Diorissimo.”
- Hermès, “Muguet Porcelaine” (press material).
- Hermès International, “2016 Registration Document” (filed April 19, 2017), p. 19, “Perfumes.”
- IFRA, “IFRA Standards.”
