If supplements and pills aren’t your favourite form of infusing wellness in your everyday routine, the good news is that you have a new option to consider: wellness-infused perfumes. Dubbed as functional fragrances, a new frontier is arising within the perfume industry that relies on the olfactory system to deliver wellness-induced notes to the brain. The result? One whiff of a perfume and you could find yourself feeling relaxed and tranquil.
So, how does the science behind these stress-busting fragrances work? The perfume-emotion connection has served as an area of interest for fragrance manufacturers for decades and emerging research appears to support the cause. According to a study conducted by fragrance producer Symrise, the active notes of vanilla, tonka bean and ginger induced feelings of positivity in the conscious and unconscious responses of its participants. This was compounded by a general preference for images of well-being over those that induced stress.
The future of fragrances may be functional
The future of functional fragrances lies in targeting the amygdala or the emotional center of the brain. By triggering the release of neurochemicals, these scents work on inducing a specific feeling, ranging from calm to invigorated. Since the olfactory network is among the fastest responders to your cognitive and emotional state, functional fragrances have a bright future ahead of altering your headspace through the power of scent.
You’re already familiar with this one but essential oils have a crucial role to play in this future of signalling the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain, while ongoing research is reporting positive responses to other notes as well. The festive notes of vanilla have been linked with feelings of tranquility and well-being, while citrusy accords can help for a mental reset on a hectic day of the 9-to-5 grind. Woody notes, on the other hand, can evoke feelings of cosiness and relaxation.
With research affirming the potential of the wellness market—currently poised at $1.5 trillion globally—wellness-induced actives are predicted to make further inroads in our everyday routine. If you’d like to add some new names to your fragrance shelf that can revamp your mood with a few spritzes, here are the functional perfumes to consider:
1.Clinique Happy Perfume Spray
Touted as joy in a bottle, the mood-enhancing notes of ruby red grapefruit and bergamot will whisk you away to a sunny morning.
2.Davidoff Cool Water Reborn Eau de Toilette
The aquatic opening notes of the iconic original soon give way to the clean notes of rosemary that anchor this scent in a woody base.
3.Calvin Klein One Eau de Toilette
This genderless fragrance continues to build on its legacy with a refreshing blend of green tea, musk and amber that feels bold yet down-to-earth at the same time.
4.Yves Rocher Quelques Notes D’Amour Eau De Parfum
Living up to its moniker, this scent delivers the heady romanticism of fruity florals grounded in the woody undertones of cedar.
5.Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Shine EDP
The cheery notes of mango, grapefruit and quince find greater depth in a woody base of sandalwood and musk for a scent that joyously envelopes your senses.
