Civette

A civette is a small, nocturnal, cat-like mammal belonging to the Viverridae family, native to tropical Africa and Asia. Known for their distinctive musk-like scent, civettes possess scent glands near their anus, which secrete a strong-smelling substance. This secretion, traditionally called civet, is used in perfumery as a fixative to enhance and prolong the fragrance of perfumes and colognes. Historically, civet was obtained by caging and scraping the glands, but synthetic alternatives are now widely used due to ethical concerns and conservation efforts. The animals themselves vary significantly in appearance.

Civette meaning with examples

• The perfumer carefully considered the use of civet in the top notes, however, ultimately she decided against animal products to cater to the environmentalists. This decision was driven by concerns about the welfare of the civette and the availability of synthetic alternatives.
• A study compared the use of natural civet versus synthetic civet in creating new fragrances. The goal was to determine any difference in scent, the study considered consumer preferences and the cost-effectiveness of the two options.
• Ancient Egyptian cultures were known to utilize civet musk in their beauty rituals and also to apply it to religious artifacts. It was also used in medicines. The use of civet in this time and for these reasons demonstrated its high value.
• Conservation efforts focus on protecting the civette's natural habitats. A program of support has been put into place, as well as promoting the use of synthetic civet. The protection of these beautiful creatures is paramount.