Fragrance is the term used to describe a combination of organic compounds that produce a distinct smell. It can be composed of fragrant essential oils derived from plants and spices or synthetic aromatic compounds. Cosmetic fragrances applied to a person’s skin to emit a pleasant smell include perfume, cologne and aftershave.
The term fragrance is often misused to refer to a specific product, but the word actually implies a broad class of products. The US Food and Drug Administration defines a fragrance as “any substance or mixture that conveys a distinctive smell” that is added to foods, beverages, cosmetics, soaps and other personal care products. Fragrance can also be found in many home cleaning products, laundry detergents and air fresheners.
While fragrances can originate from natural sources, the overwhelming majority of commercially produced scents are the result of a complex blend of chemicals. These chemicals are rarely, if ever, listed on the ingredients label because they are considered trade secrets. The average perfume contains a minimum of 30 and up to 200 fragrance chemicals. They may contain a variety of chemical groups including ethers, alcohols, esters, hydrocarbons and ketones.
Fragrance chemicals aren’t benign – they can disrupt hormones, harm the reproductive system and cause allergic reactions in children and adults. Additionally, they are a significant contributor to environmental pollutants, contributing to ozone pollution and fine particulates. Fortunately, there are safe alternatives that offer the same beautiful scents we love without the harmful chemicals.
Choosing safe perfumes and colognes is easier than ever. Look for the EWG VERIFIED mark, which indicates a fragrance that has been verified to be free from harmful chemicals of concern by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). We have also identified products with a low level of potential health hazards by evaluating ingredient lists and scientific studies.
Perfume is classified into five main groups loosely based on their concentration of aromatic compounds. Parfum or extrait has the highest concentration of perfume and usually contains 20-30% fragrance in one bottle. Other popular forms of fragrance include eau de toilette and cologne, both of which have a lower concentration than parfum.
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Perfumed products are a big part of people’s daily routines. They are used to enhance self-image, reduce anxiety and stress, and improve mood. They can even affect how much pain a person can tolerate. The use of fragrances is also reported to be associated with healthier diets and exercise habits.
Creating great fragrance is as much art as science, with a lot of creative decisions made along the way. The Scentsy Fragrance Development Team are the experts that guide this process, helping ideas for scents become the next generation of beloved Scentsy products. There are several methods that can be used to extract perfume ingredients from natural materials including maceration, enfleurage and distillation. Alternatively, essential oils can be obtained by solvent extraction.