Fragrance – What You Need to Know

Fragrance: What You Need to Know

Fragrance (fragrns) is a mixture of oil, aroma compounds, fixatives and solvents used in liquid form to give people, animals, objects and living-spaces agreeable smells. Its synonyms include perfume, redolence and scent. Wherever they are used, the meaning is the same: a sweet or pleasing smell.

Generally speaking, a fragrance is composed of a head (top), middle and base note. Top notes evaporate quickly after application, and are usually comprised of lighter scents such as citrus, light fruits or herbs (like sage and lavender). Middle notes are the heart of a perfume, and stay around longer than top and base. They are often more intense and more complex than top notes. Middle notes are a combination of different scents, and can be found in most perfumes.

The base of a perfume is what gives it body, solidity and duration. It is a complex combination of rich scents, and is usually not perceived until about 30 minutes after the departure of middle notes. Base notes are also made of a combination of many scents, and are typically very long-lasting. Some examples of base notes are tobacco, amber and musk.

When you see the word “fragrance” on a product ingredient list, it could mean that dozens of synthetic chemicals are included in the blend. Currently, the FDA does not have the authority to require disclosure or public safety testing for individual chemicals that are labeled as fragrance ingredients. Instead, the International Fragrance Association and the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials set voluntary standards that perfume manufacturers follow in order to protect their trade secrets.