If you’ re a perfume lover, it’s highly likely that you’ re well accustomed to most scents. However, are you also well familiar with all the ingredients used to make your favorite fragrances?
Perfume ingredients are an amalgamation of several things, which include alcohol, several essential oils, and other elements like the bergamot, rose, jasmine, sandalwood, vanilla, and much more. When you read the ingredients written on the bottle of your favorite perfume, they are mostly hard to understand. However, these are some very common ingredients you have seen or used in your daily life. Once you get to know about them, you’ ll understand what your favorite perfume is made up of. Continue reading to learn about some of the most common ingredients found in perfumes.
1. Musk
One of the most used ingredients is musk, and this ingredient has an interesting background. Musk is extracted from the glands of the musk deer- if used naturally. However, due to several NGOs and wildlife protection organizations campaigning against hunting animals, this practice has been put to sleep. Perfume companies now make musk from a mixture of synthetic ingredients, and other elements found in plants, to give it a natural touch. Musk scent has a striking resemblance to that of testosterone, which is vital for humans. So, the next time you come across someone wearing extremely appealing fragrances, chances are that it includes musk.
2. Oud
Oud is heavily used in the Middle East. This ingredient is considered one of the most expensive in the world. The Agar tree found in the southeastern region of Asia gives us Oud, but the way it is made is very unusual. This tree is infected by a mould named Phialophora Parasitica, which reacts with the log of the tree, and produces a dark-coloured saturated resin, which has a very sharp scent to protect itself. This resin is Oud, which is processed and treated with other chemicals to make amazing fragrances.
3. Coumarin
Edible ingredients have been used in perfumery for a very long time. If you’re a person who has a sweet tooth, it’s highly probable that you’ll also like edible ingredients in perfumes. One of these sweet ingredients is Coumarin, which has a sweet odour that resembles the scent of Vanilla. This amazing fragrance is used in perfumery both natural and synthetic forms. The tonka bean tree, vanilla grass, and sweet clover are some of the natural sources for this ingredient.
4. Vetiver
If you’re looking for ingredients that add a masculine touch to the fragrance, vetiver is the best option. This important ingredient comes from a grassy root that is distilled to make oil. This oil produces a wonderful smell that has leathery, woody, and smoky tones. Mostly, this ingredient is used in men’s perfumes, but recently some renowned perfume brands have incorporated this ingredient in unisex and even feminine fragrances.
5. Aldehyde
Another great ingredient found in the best perfumes is Aldehyde. This ingredient is said to give your fragrance a touch of energy and sensuality. Aldehydes are considered as revolutionists in perfumery because they really changed the way scents were made. Aldehyde is found naturally in plants like rose, orange rinds, and even cinnamon barks. It is also made with synthetic elements.
6. Ambergris
Another amazing ingredient that is extracted from animals is the Ambergris. A waxy substance found in the stomach of sperm whales gives Ambergris. The ingredient is famous for its enhancing abilities and gives a sweet oceanic fragrance. For the purpose of protecting wildlife, the natural ingredient is largely overtaken by the synthetic variants.
7. Bacon
The fragrance of bacon can make anyone feel hungry, its enticing smell has made its way into the world of perfumes. Bacon is famous for its amazing salty, warm, and smoky fragrance. This ingredient was used in the Bacon classic fragrance that was seen in 2010. In recent years, this ingredient has been incorporated in shower gels, bath bombs and body washes as well.
8. Castoreum
Did you know that one of the most common ingredients used in desserts, as well as perfumery, Vanilla, actually comes from the secretions in the anal glands of a beaver? The castoreum gives out an extremely superb fragrance and this ingredient has been used in making classic perfumes for decades. Dating back to the 18th century, Castoreum was used for medical purposes – in the treatment of headaches and hysteria. The natural ingredient is not being used in perfumery and has been replaced with its synthetic variants.
9. Edamame
Edamame is a type of soybean that is generally consumed as a starter before eating heavy dishes like sushi. This ingredient has been used in perfumery and it’s one of the most expensive ones. Many of the high-end perfumes contain edamame in their notes. The soybean gives a crisp and strong aroma.
All of these ingredients are used in perfumes to provide incredible fragrance. Now that you know a thing or two about some of the most common ingredients, you can easily select the right perfume for yourself. Go through our rich collection to get your hands on the best affordable women’s perfume, as well as some top-notch fragrances for men.
