Fragrance refers to a group of chemicals that give a perfume or cologne its distinctive scent. It can include both natural and synthetic fragrance chemicals. Perfumes and colognes generally contain a combination of fragrance chemicals, solvents, stabilizers, UV-absorbers and preservatives. Companies that manufacture perfume and cologne buy fragrance mixtures from fragrance houses (companies that specialize in developing them) and then mix in the final ingredients to produce their own products.
Many perfumes and colognes also contain ingredients that help them adhere to the skin, hold their shape and stay fresh for longer. These can include surfactants, emulsifiers, stabilizers and diluents. Some of these are derived from petroleum and others from natural raw materials such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs and woods. Some have been linked to serious health problems including cancer, reproductive toxicity and allergic reactions.
A fragrance can consist of several hundred natural and synthetic ingredients. It can be made from extracts from roots, barks and flowers as well as oils from spices, herbs and fruit. It can also be a blend of animal-derived essential oils such as those from the whale and the civet cat. It can also be a blend of synthetic compounds that provide the same or similar smell as the original ingredients.
A perfume’s odour can be categorized into three structural parts: the top note, which is the light and fresh odour that evaporates within minutes of applying it; the middle note, which provides a fuller body to the fragrance; and the base notes, which add depth to the fragrance. The floral group includes such odours as rose, jasmine and lily of the valley. The spicy group includes aromas such as cinnamon, nutmeg and carnation. The woody group includes odours such as vetiver (derived from an aromatic grass called khus khus) and sandalwood, while the mossy group is dominated by oak moss.