Fragrance is one of the most unique interactions we have with our world. Fragrance can help us feel, experience, and otherwise remember life's great moments. Smell can help us remember the past, or explore something new. When it comes to selecting a fragrance for your home, it should be nothing short of exceptional. The process for perfection should include enjoying your fragrance, but also peace of mind to know that your scent is made with values to make you feel good, and be good to our planet.
Typical fragrance oils are created entirely in the laboratory using petroleum-based products derived from synthetic compounds that are not found in nature. Natural-identical fragrance oils are created with the same chemical structure as their essential oil counterparts, the natural-identical fragrance oils, but are once again artificially made using any combination of synthetic aromatic compounds and essential oils. Natural fragrance oils are made by isolating particular compounds within pure essential oils in order to create different combinations and smells. Natural fragrance oils use natural materials efficiently and tailorable, which may alleviate overconsumption of Pure Essential oils, which puts strain on natural resources.
Sustainable ingredients are increasingly being used in perfumes and cosmetics. Many natural ingredients are sourced from plants, although some have been over-harvested or threatened extinction. In recent years, the beauty industry, as a whole, has also used synthetics in fragrances, which are more sustainable and less harmful. Synthetic fragrances are also more safe around pets, as certain natural fragrances are toxic to your furry and feathered friends.
When it comes to transparency, fragrance is at the top of the list. There is no legal definition for what makes perfume sustainable, and there are many factors that go into the equation, both for fragrance producers and for conscious shoppers. To be sustainable, any brand materials used in fragrances must be the most eco-friendly possible, from production to consumption (but not in the literal sense. Please do not eat candles!)
As appealing as the Clean Beauty Industry's drive to demonize certain ingredients may be, the reality is, the natural-derived options in perfume are not always safer or better in any capacity. Regardless of whether consumers are completely aware of what is safe or what is harmful, demand for natural ingredients continues to strongly muscle the fragrance industry.
Many large fragrance chemicals companies have the influence and funds to invest in researching more sustainable practices, either to produce cleaner, more environmentally friendly synthetics, or to encourage the growing and more environmentally friendly processing of natural raw perfume ingredients.
There is no solid argument to say that, by choosing natural perfumes, the consumer is helping the environment and farmers-growers in distant parts of the world more than if they choose mostly fragrance chemicals.