Perfume is a liquid mixture of chemicals that is applied to the skin to emit a pleasant aroma. It consists of a base, middle and top note, each of which has unique chemical compositions that determine the perfume’s odor. The scent can last for up to 24 hours after application. Many perfumes contain several natural ingredients, including flowers, herbs, woods, resins, spices and animal secretions. Others are synthetically manufactured in laboratories. Regardless of their origin, both natural and synthetic fragrance chemicals can cause health and environmental problems.
The word “perfume” derives from the Latin words for flowing through or smelling fragrant. Its use has been widespread throughout history, with ancient civilizations using pressed flower petals and berries to create scents. Modern perfumes, however, contain a wide variety of ingredients, often more than 100. Besides the primary fragrance components, there are solvents, diluents and fixatives. Adding them together results in an overall smell that may vary from one person to another, depending on their chemical makeup and the concentration of each ingredient.
Fragrance production has evolved over time to meet the increasing demands of the public. For example, in England during the Victorian era, women of high social status were expected to wear at least two different scents: a heavy perfume for evening or church and a lighter, daytime perfume. This perfume regimen was considered to be an indicator of the woman’s wealth and social status. It is thought that a woman wearing a fine perfume could have as many as 20 men seeking her hand in marriage.
While the use of perfume is thought to be a human characteristic, adorning oneself with scented products has been observed in a number of animals. For example, wolves are known to cover themselves with carcasses and feces in order to mask their own scent and thereby ambush prey. Whether or not this behavior has adaptive purposes remains to be seen, but it is likely that other animals use their body odor in similar ways to attract conspecifics and signal the presence of a favorable food source.
Various studies on the effects of perfume have shown that a person’s mood and personality can influence which perfumes they choose to wear. In particular, women have been reported to select a perfume according to their current mood (e.g., dramatic = heavier, oriental perfumes). It has also been observed that women who have a high self-esteem tend to choose more feminine and floral perfumes than those with lower self-esteem.
In addition to the aforementioned factors, research has shown that certain perfumes can cause headaches and other adverse side effects. Nonetheless, the public continues to purchase perfumes in large quantities. As a result, the production and sale of perfume will probably continue to grow in the foreseeable future. The environmental impact of perfume is a growing concern, as are the possible effects on health and well-being. However, some research indicates that certain pleasant scents can improve mood and reduce anxiety, depression and stress.