What it is:
Fragrance, or perfume, is a combination of chemicals used to convey a specific scent or mask an unpleasant odor. It is commonly found in a variety of scented personal care and household products such as shampoos, body lotions, deodorants and laundry detergents. Fragrance ingredients can come from both natural sources (plants, flowers and food) or synthetically manufactured. For example, a popular orchid fragrance can be synthesized from the inexpensive naturally occurring compounds linalool and hexyl cinnamal.
A perfume is composed of three structural components: a top note, the fresh, volatile odour that is perceived immediately; a middle note, or modifier, providing full body and character; and a base note, or anchor, offering solidity and lasting impression. Modern perfumes often contain ten to 100 individual fragrance ingredients.
The scents of the top notes disperse within 30 minutes of application, while middle and base notes remain longer. Historically, a perfume consisted of a mixture of oils extracted from fruits and herbs derived from plants such as flowers, berries, thyme, and lavender. Today, many perfumes and colognes are built from modular fragrance bases that blend essential oils with aromatic chemicals. For example, a floral fragrance is based on the odours of several flower scents such as rose, jasmine, and lily of the valley combined with a woody base including patchouli, cedarwood and sandalwood.
The International Fragrance Association and Research Institute for Fragrance Materials set voluntary standards for ingredients in a fragrance component called “parfum.” These compounds can be sourced from both natural and synthetic sources. Some natural compounds are linked to health problems such as cancer, reproductive and developmental toxicity, and allergies and sensitivities.