You must have heard about natural and synthetic fragrances, while shopping for beauty products and cosmetics. The same confusion arises, when you are purchasing scents and fragrances. Well! To be precise, both natural and synthetic products rule the market, each with its own composition. Natural products are seemingly more effective and safe, according to some beauty connoisseurs. However, the shelf life may be short. On the contrary, synthetic products are very durable. Additionally, both need some sort of preservative to maintain the chemical composition and its stability.
Decoding Natural Fragrances
Natural fragrances are very complex in nature and derived from nature. The extracts are obtained from the flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, and the barks of the plants. Some are even extracted from animal body parts. 100% natural extracts are often derived from resins, essential oils, fractions, and isolates. While the scents are very enticing and natural, the effect on the environment may not be good. Such prolonged practices can also cause renewable resources to vanish.
Although many people believe that natural fragrances are safer, it may or may not hold true. Some natural ingredients can also harm the skin. They cause allergies and adverse reactions. Moreover, some research has also proved that plant-based scents can also interfere with hormonal activity. Natural scents do not have added chemicals, and flaunt a lighter scent. Let us take the example of oils extracted from lemon peel, lavender flowers and leaves, clove oil from cloves, and so on.
Know About Synthetic Fragrances
Synthetic fragrances are a replica of natural fragrances. The chemicals that go into such scents are nothing but fragrant raw material. These may contain a mix of both natural as well as synthetic compounds. Such fragrances are generally made without harming nature. Moreover, they often contain preservatives and additives that may not be present in natural scents. Synthetic fragrances also tend to be stronger than the natural ones.
Synthetic fragrances are made from three types of chemicals, full synthetic, semi-synthetic, and natural synthetics. The first one can be made from petroleum, or other raw materials, second one through modification of the aroma molecules, while the third are isolates, which are separated from another scent.
Know About The Benefits
Natural Fragrances
- They are quite gentle on the skin. That is why, people with sensitive skins prefer them. However, exceptions can be there.
- You will find them to be eco-friendly, as they are biodegradable. However, the extraction process can harm the environment.
- You will get some unique scents that are not obtained through synthetic means.
- The scents are often deeper and richer.
- They also have aromatherapy benefits. Some have therapeutic effects on the mind as well.
- They are excellent gifts.
Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic fragrances often last longer, as fixatives are used in their production. Moreover, fixatives make the aroma stronger over a period of time.
- Synthetic scent variations are huge in number. Whereas, in the case of natural fragrances, the main origins are blossoms, musks, and herbaceous parts.
- These are always cheaper.
Before you jump to conclusions, there is more news in store for you there. There is a third types as well, which is called Hybrid fragrance. It is a combination of natural and synthetic fragrances. These are also safer than the other two, says a few manufacturers. Most of the fragrances, which you will find in the market are Hybrids.
Plant-based And Natural Fragrances
You will come across various fragrances in the due course of shopping. They are exquisite blends that are made using essential oils and flavour oils. Some of the most common natural fragrances are lavender. It is extremely soothing and calming. You can use it in the evening time, as an alluring option.
Then, there is peppermint and eucalyptus oil as well, that eases pain, clears nasal congestion, and calms the nerves as well. Tea tree oil is also there, and it serves as a great additive to household cleaners and has medicinal properties. The ingredients are healing on the skin. Sandalwood essential oil is another natural fragrance that has a woody scent and it goes well with vanilla. Jasmine is another natural fragrance, which is sensual and intoxicating in nature.
Citrus essential oils like grapefruit, lemon, and tangerine, which decreases anxiety and stress. It also aids in digestion. Cinnamon essential oil is another natural essential oil, which relaxes the mind.
Some of the most advanced processes through which natural fragrances are produced, are steam distillation, cold pressing, expeller pressing, refining, dehydration, and many more.
Typical Synthetic Chemicals Used In Synthetic Fragrances
Ethyl Maltol is one of the synthetic chemicals which gives a sugar-like scent that you can compare with candy floss and strawberry jam. Coumarin is another ingredient which is used in male fragrances. It creates an aroma like almond, marzipan, and vanilla. Ambroxan is a synthetic alternative which produces a woody aroma. It is also slightly musky. Synthetic musk is natural musk that has been extracted from musk deer, deer, civet, muskrats, and sperm whales.
Another synthetic chemical used in perfumery is a scent that emulates woody and spicy aroma. It gives a velvety and cashmere-like aroma. Muguet highlights the scent of lily flowers. When it is added to scents, it produces a soft, sweet, and musky fragrance. These are just a few examples of the possibilities in the synthetic scent world. You will come across various other scents like ozone, aldehydes, and calone.
Finally…
You can get access to a wide range of synthetic fragrances, each one suiting a person. It is not necessary that natural fragrances will be better than synthetic ones. Both have their benefits and drawbacks. There are natural as well as artificial scents, parfum, perfume, cologne, etc. You can buy a fragrance that suits your personality. It will help you to draw attention towards yourself. So, go for the best according to the options available in the market. Find out some of the best and more fragrant scents available in India. More and more companies are coming up with their unique fragrances and you should try them out.