Fragrance is a word that covers more than 3,500 chemicals that give personal care, cleaning and other products their distinctive smell. Many of these chemicals are linked to health problems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates fragrance-containing products, but some fragrance ingredients have been linked to a range of health issues from skin allergy to hormone disruption.
Perfume is a combination of odorous substances that evaporate over time. Its distinct aroma is derived from the interaction of volatile aroma compounds and a solvent. The compounds in a perfume are typically a mixture of hydrocarbons, ethers, alcohols, and esters. The perfume’s scent usually lasts from six to eight hours. Perfume is available in a variety of forms, including sprays, body mist, and deodorant rolls. Perfume is often used to enhance a woman’s natural beauty, but it can also be worn as a signature scent that reflects her personality and lifestyle.
The earliest perfumes were made from natural aromatic plant extracts and oils, but since the early nineteenth century most are now synthetically manufactured. Despite this, the term “fragrance” continues to be used in the labeling of a wide variety of products, even those that claim to be unscented. These so-called masking agents may contain fragrance chemicals such as phthalates, which are associated with hormone disruption and certain cancers, or styrene, which has been linked to asthma.
While the FDA regulates perfumes, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is responsible for creating voluntary standards and enforcing mandatory standards of more than 3,500 fragrance chemicals. The CPSC is also in charge of recalling and potentially banning fragrance chemicals that are known to cause harm to human health.
Unlike colognes, which are usually lighter in concentration, perfumes have a higher concentration of fragrance components. The ingredients in perfumes are more complex and therefore require more time to develop. This is a process known as perfumery, and it requires a lot of creativity to create the perfect blend of fragrance notes. It is also essential to keep in mind that the nose responds differently to various odours at different times of the day, and this must be taken into consideration when developing a new fragrance.
Many historic natural fragrance ingredients such as amber and natural musk oil are no longer used because of environmental and animal welfare concerns, but there is an increasing number of synthetic alternatives to these popular materials that provide the same or similar aromas.
Fragrance development is as much of an art form as it is a science, and Scentsy’s Fragrance Development Team are the experts that help our customers’ ideas for scents become their beloved perfumes. It is a process that takes months to years to perfect the balance of notes and intensity that each fragrance requires, and it can take countless trials to achieve the desired result. It is no wonder that so many people rely on perfume to express their unique personality and style, whether for everyday wear or special occasions.