Most perfumes use basic ingredients to create them.
The majority of perfume wearers are unsure of what goes into the bottle to create it. From sweet and alluring scents to warm and aromatic mixtures; there are a number of ingredients that can influence the way it smells.
However, there are a few basic ingredients that almost all bottles have. These common ingredients include essential oils, aroma compounds, fixatives and solvents which serve as the base of most perfumes. The article below outlines these ingredients with an explanation of how they are used to influence the scent.
Essential Oils
The most common ingredient found in perfume bottles is essential oils. Essential oils are popular amongst consumers for their alluring and potent scent. This scent comes from the oil itself that has been compounded through distillation (typically steam).
This process produces a highly potent smell based on the plant that is used. This compound can then be added to the bottle for fragrance.
Beyond perfumes, the oils can further be used in other beauty products (such as lotions and creams), food, cleaners, and for aromatherapy.
Some of the most common types of essential oils that are added to perfumes include rose, lavender, and eucalyptus which are the common bases of most bottles.
Aroma Compounds
Another basic ingredient that can be found in most perfume bottles is aroma compounds. Aroma compounds are also widely known as aroma, fragrance, flavor or odorant. This compound is chemical and is therefore classified by its structure. Based on the structure of the chemical, the fragrance that is produced from it will change.
For example, the chemical compound geranyl acetate produces a fruity yet floral scent that mimics the natural appeal of a rose. Whereas the compound citronellal smells like a lemon.
Fixatives
Bottles of perfume also tend to have fixatives added to them. A fixative is typically used to equalize the scent of the bottle and counteract some of the harsher scents from the natural ingredients. Therefore, the fixatives are used to help balance the smell of the perfume and prevent it from being too overwhelming for a person to wear.
The fixatives that are added to the bottles can either be natural or synthetic in their make-up. Some common natural fixatives that are added include myrrh, benzoin, and musk. Whereas a common type of synthetic fixative is benzyl salicylate.
It’s important to note that although the synthetic versions are virtually odorless solvents that are still needed to help balance the bottle.
Solvents
The final basic ingredient that is included in most perfume bottles is solvents. A solvent is used in the bottle to help dilute the fragrance from the natural ingredients and compounds. Without the use of a solvent, the aroma may be too overwhelming for wearers as the scents will the potent.
However, a solvent will help to counteract the potent aroma in order to create a more appealing scent that people can continue to smell throughout the day. The most common type of solvents that are used to dilute the bottles are alcohol solutions. In this solution, there is typically a mixture of ethanol and water to help neutralize any overpowering scents.
For bottles of natural oils, the solvent can be a more neutral oil that will help to counteract the aroma (for example coconut oil).
Although there are a number of ingredients that go into a bottle of perfume the base ingredients tend to be the same. From oils to fixatives, solvents and more; perfumes can be complex creations. If you’d like more information on these ingredients get in touch with a member of our team to find out more.
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