Fragrance, also called perfume or cologne, is a mixture of chemicals that imparts a pleasant smell. It can come from natural sources (plants, flowers or foods) or be synthetically manufactured. Fragrance is added to a wide range of personal care, cleaning and other products that we use every day to make them smell good. Many fragrance ingredients are toxic and have been linked to a variety of health problems, including cancer, reproductive and developmental toxicity and allergies.
Fragrances are usually composed of three structural components: top notes, middle notes and base notes. The top notes, which evaporate the fastest, give the initial impression of a scent and typically include citrus, light fruits or herbs. The middle notes, which linger for about 30 minutes, add depth to a fragrance and the base notes, which are the longest-lasting, provide the final impression of a scent. Perfumes are usually created from a mix of various oils and aromatic chemicals and based on a simple concept like “fresh cut grass” or “juicy sour apple.”
A few drops of perfume can have a powerful effect on your mood, which is why it’s important to choose the right one for you. Whether you’re looking for a romantic date night perfume or something to wear while running errands, we’ve got your back with our list of the best fragrances out there.
Fragrance can be made up of more than 3,500 different chemicals and gives our daily beauty and household products their unique scents. However, the International Fragrance Association does not require manufacturers to disclose any individual fragrance ingredient on a product’s label, which creates an information gap for consumers.