Fragrance is a combination of oils or aromatic compounds that produce a distinct smell. Perfume, cologne, and essential oil are examples of cosmetic fragrances used to produce a pleasant smell that can be applied to the skin or to other objects. Fragrance can also be used in scented products such as soap, bath and body sprays, detergents, deodorants, and fabric softeners. Several studies have shown that perfume can have psychological and physical benefits, including decreasing anxiety and stress levels, increasing cognitive function, and increasing pain tolerance. The use of perfume has also been linked to social status and attractiveness, and the perception that a person who wears a particular scent is healthier and more successful.
The olfactory system is a complex sensory organ that has the ability to recognize more than 100,000 different fragrances. The structure of a perfume can be described using musical metaphors: it has three structural parts, known as “notes” that unfold over time. The top note produces the first impression of the scent, and consists of small light molecules with high volatility that evaporate quickly. The middle note masks any unpleasant initial impression and provides the core of the scent, and is comprised of more complex molecules that are more mellow and rounded. Finally, the base note provides a lasting impression of the fragrance, and is made up of large molecules that give the fragrance its body.
Most fragrances are created by combining natural raw materials and synthetic chemicals to produce the desired scent. Companies that manufacture perfume and cologne purchase their fragrance mixtures from fragrance houses (companies that specialize in developing perfume) and add additional ingredients like solvents, stabilizers, UV-absorbers, and preservatives. Fragrance chemicals may be derived from petroleum or natural raw materials, and they are typically listed under the generic term of “fragrance”.
There are many reasons why people choose a particular perfume: to convey a specific mood or image, to attract others, or simply to make themselves feel good. The selection of a perfume is therefore a highly personal choice that is influenced by cultural, social, and biological factors.
Creating great fragrance is as much an art as it is a science. Scentsy’s Fragrance Development Team is a group of talented experts that make the creative decisions to turn our customers’ scent ideas into beloved Scentsy products.
The interaction between a stimulus and the response it evokes is known as classical conditioning. The question of whether or not perfume is a reinforcer is based on the fact that it is often used as a reward for behaviors, and that certain perfumes are associated with romantic partners. However, little empirical research has investigated the reinforcing potential of perfume, and it is difficult to determine if a particular perfume would act as a classical reinforcer if paired with another neutral stimulus.