The invention relates to organic compounds having the ability to reduce or suppress the onset of skin irritation induced by extraneous cause selected from the group of 2-heptylcyclopentanone, 2-ethoxynaphthalene; 2-methoxynaphthalene; 1-methoxy-4-(prop-1-enyl)benzene; 1-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-methoxybenzene;wherein X, Y, and R1 to R11 have the same meaning as given in the description.Furthermore the invention refers to compositions for topical application to the skin comprising them. It further relates to a method of reducing or suppressing the formation of skin irritation.