Fragrance is a combination of oils or chemicals that produces a distinctive smell or odour. It may be derived from natural raw materials such as plants and spices, or it may contain synthetic aromatic compounds. Fragrances are used in perfumes and colognes, but can also be found in cosmetic products such as aftershave, deodorants, lotions and soaps. The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) sets the industry’s standards for fragrance safety through hazard identification, dose-response assessment and exposure assessment. IFRA also investigates reports of adverse reactions to fragranced products and maintains databases on potential sensitizers.
Perfume is classified into groups based on the concentration level of the fragrant components. Parfum or extrait has the highest concentration of fragrance, followed by eau de parfum, eau de toilette, and eau de cologne. The concentration level of the aromatic compounds is an important characteristic, as it affects how long the perfume will last on the skin and how much it will cost.
The fragrance industry uses several methods to extract the aromatic materials from plant and animal sources. The most common is distillation, in which the material is heated to high temperatures and evaporated. This process is most effective for the volatile components of the material, but can leave behind a residue that must be removed by another method such as expression or solvent extraction. The remaining oil is known as a raw fragrance material and may be sold to companies that manufacture perfumes or other products, or used directly in the product being manufactured.
A fragrance’s scent is the result of the interaction of various odorous substances that evaporate at different rates. A fragrance has a “top note,” which is the odor that evaporates first during application or when the perfume is opened, and a “heart note” or “body” that persists for a longer time. In addition to these main components, a perfume may have a number of other odorous additives that give it specific characteristics, such as fruity, woody, or earthy notes.
Research has shown that many factors influence a person’s choice of perfume. The mood of the wearer, the occasion for which it is being worn, and the perfume’s ability to mask body odor are all important considerations. A perfume’s ability to induce a desired emotion, such as attraction or seduction, has also been reported. Despite this, the reinforcing value of perfume as a stimulus for behavior is a topic that has received little empirical investigation.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that people rely on the rewarding properties of perfume to motivate them. The interface between sensation and reward has been explored in the literature on a variety of stimuli, including sexual advertising, but perfume remains an understudied topic. Future innovative research in perfume neuroscience and reward will provide valuable insights into the role of scent in human behavior.