Natural Perfumes
Perfume is the perfect accessory to any outfit. Not only does it make you feel good and smell good but it can also help you get a raise or even land a date! However, many people are opting for more natural products like essential oils and perfumes made with natural ingredients. If you're not completely sure what constitutes as an "organic" or "natural" perfume, here's some insight into how they're created and what makes them so attractive to consumers.
Many people believe that all perfumes are made with synthetic fragrances, which is not true. Many companies use naturally derived essences in their scent formulas such as sandalwood from India, lavender from France, and ambergris from the Bahamas. These scents are derived from plants and other natural ingredients.
Nature's Smelly Wonders
A wide variety of raw materials is used in "natural perfumes, either found on the earth or derived from it," according to perfume expert Martine Micallef-Cros. There's oak moss, harvested by farmers in the French countryside; rose petals cultivated in Morocco; orange blossom cultivated in Sicily; and frankincense from Boswellia sacra trees found in Oman. In addition to being costly, many of these materials are also increasingly difficult to obtain due to habitat destruction or over-harvesting.
A very common form of natural perfume is the essential oil, which is created by the distillation of various plant parts. It can be extracted using a number of methods: steam distillation, cold pressing and chemical extraction. Unlike essential oils, which are not used alone as perfumes, fragrances are generally not made with essential oils alone. There are a number of synthetics like musk oil or cyclamen that are produced to mimic natural perfumes.
Fragrances have been around as far back as ancient Egypt during the reign of Pharaoh Akhenaton (1353–1336 B.C.). The Egyptians believed that scents released from burning incense or herbs would help with health and cleanliness. The Egyptians also used scented oils as a form of cosmetics.
In the early 19th century, French chemist and perfumer Antoine-François Fourcroy established a new fragrance industry in Grasse, France. In the 20th century, the perfume industry grew to a global scale with companies like Chanel and Dior introducing the first fine fragrances, as well as Coty and Jean Patou creating new drugstore scents.
In this day and age people are becoming more aware of what they put in their bodies. Natural ingredients are viewed as less harmful than synthetics; therefore natural perfumes have become popular among many individuals seeking an alternative to synthetic scents. If you're like many people and looking to transition over to natural perfumes from synthetic ones, here are some suggestions on what to look for in your next fragrance.
What is a natural perfume?
The term "natural" can be a little bit confusing since nature itself is a mixture of organic and inorganic compounds. When consumers hear the word "natural" they often associate it with completely organic or completely clean; however, this is not the case. Oxybenzone (an ingredient found in lotions) which is toxic to fish and coral reefs, would technically be categorized under this category.
A natural perfume containing essential oils or natural extracts is one that does not contain synthetic fragrances, chemicals, or animal products such as musk. Natural perfumes are created using plant life such as spices, flowers and essential oils. Natural perfumes usually smell fresher than synthetic perfumes because they utilize more natural ingredients. If you want to make the switch from synthetic to organic this guide will help you find your new favorite scent!
What does natural perfume smell like?
Natural scents are created using a variety of materials and ingredients; however there is no clear scent description for a "natural" perfume. Instead, natural perfumes are very diverse and can contain different combinations of organic and inorganic materials.
What is a perfume?
Perfume is an oil-based liquid that smells good. It's used to give someone a nice smell by applying it onto the skin. The liquid also evaporates easily into the air and spreads out into the environment. The liquid can have many different scents, but it usually contains alcohol and oils. Although the word perfume is most common when referring to scented liquids, it can also include incense which burns to produce smoke or powders that create fragrances when you rub them on your skin or clothing. Typically perfume is used for the sense of smell but can also be used to add a pleasant scent to your home.
What is a cologne?
A cologne or aftershave is a lotion that you use after you shave. It has an alcohol base and typically contains natural oils or synthetic chemicals that mask the scent of your body odor. When you use cologne, it's usually applied in small amounts on certain areas of your body like your armpits, chest and other areas of skin exposed while wearing clothes. Cologne should not be applied all over the body since too much alcohol can irritate sensitive skin and may increase sweating. However, when you use cologne, you can just put it on a specific area of the body and it will have a pleasant scent without smelling like alcohol. Cologne or aftershave should never be used on the neck since it can irritate the skin and cause a rash.
What is an eau de toilette?
A toilette is an unscented perfume with no flowery notes or intense smells that may offend people with allergies. The majority of toilette scents are made from natural ingredients such as flowers; however many companies make synthetic toilette scents to appeal to the masses. The word "toilette" comes from the French word for toilet, which is where people would bathe before entering a room.
What is an Eau de Parfum?
Eau de parfum (French for "perfume water"), also known as eau de toilette (water of the night), is a blend with less concentrated ingredients and more intense scents than eau de toilette. Perfumes with notes of orange, rose, and fruity notes are common in eau de parfum perfumes. When choosing a perfume for your skin you should choose a eau de parfum if you want the strongest scent possible.
Conclusion
With so many different options for natural perfumes there is sure to be a scent that appeals to you! Using natural ingredients has been proven to last longer on your skin and will leave a pleasant aroma when people come in contact with your skin. Natural perfumes are beneficial to anyone looking for an alternative to synthetic scents. We hope this guide helped you find your new favorite perfume!
An article about the benefits of natural scents, published by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) states: "Fragrances from fruit or flower essences, such as Lavender and Jasmine, contain high-quality oils that are rich in antioxidants and essential oils.
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Natural Perfumes