Longevity of Natural vs Synthetic Fragrances
Perfumery is continuously developing, with fragrance consistently in the first place as the fastest-growing luxury beauty segment year after year. Shoppers seek signature scents and apply perfume for more than merely the scent. Modern perfumes can also help improve mood or sleep and may support spiritual enlightenment. Natural fragrance ingredients are seeing a resurgence in all these categories—but how do they hold up in terms of scent longevity?
First: The Difference Between Natural and Synthetic Perfumes
Natural perfumes contain exclusively organic ingredients, usually derived from plants or animals, but primarily flowers and herbs. A natural aromatic generally takes the form of an essential oil, which is a liquid pressed from plant parts or distilled using solvents and heat.
Synthetic perfumes are made of lab-created ingredients designed to emulate nature. These elements are often scientifically identical to the natural versions but sometimes specifically engineered adaptations.
Longevity Depends on the Fixative (Stabilizer)
Are natural scents more potent than synthetic aromas, and how long do they last? In spite of the clean-label value, natural elements fade quickly. Most lab-made scents contain supplementary ingredients, known as fixatives, to enhance durability.
A fragrance fixative binds with the scent molecules in perfume to help it adhere to the skin more readily and prevent evaporation. Dipropylene glycol and cyclopentadecanolide are two often-used synthetic fixatives. Such ingredients increase the boiling point of other scent molecules.
As with most lower-quality natural scents, a natural aroma cannot last without stabilizers.
How Can Natural Fragrances Endure?
There are numerous plant and animal-derived scent stabilizers available. Perfumers once used ambergris—a natural by-product from sperm whales—to create enduring aromas. However, using it is controversial nowadays due to environmental pressures. Fortunately, perfumers can use natural labdanum, musk flowers, musk seeds or the muskwood tree.
Perfumers can use scents like vanilla, patchouli and sandalwood that naturally last longer. However, these may affect the essential aroma, while the synthetic versions are usually fragrance-free.
Modern Consumers Prefer Natural Perfumes
Despite the advantage of a prevailing aroma, many still opt for natural fragrances. Why is this? Numerous studies have scrutinized the outcomes of contact with synthetic fragrance molecules with ostensive adverse outcomes. Research has repeatedly connected synthetic fragrances with skin sensitivity and breathing issues.
Although not everyone will experience adverse issues, avoiding synthetics for safety reasons seems to be the general stance. This philosophy gave rise to the clean-label drive and other health-conscious consumer trends dominating the current Western markets. Natural components remain desired as shoppers become more informed about clean-label products.
Ethical Ingredient Sourcing in Perfume
A large part of clean labeling in perfume (and beauty in general) is transparency about ingredients. Consumers want to know what things mean and where they come from. This rationale applies equally to perfumes, food and other cosmetics. With Advanced Biotech, you can confidently add high-quality natural aromatics to your ingredients list.
For more information about our fragrance ingredients or to request a sample, please contact us.