Fragrance and perfumes are a mixture of various compounds or fragrance ingredients, usually, in a liquid solution, that is used to add a pleasant scent to the human body and clothes. The perfumes are produced by adding synthetic chemical compounds to certain essential oils, water, alcohol, and synthetic mixtures. The synthetic chemicals used in the fragrance and perfume are made up of various components such as benzyl alcohol, acetone, linalool, ethanol, ethyl acetate, benzaldehyde, camphor, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, and limonene.
The main purpose of the components of fragrance and perfume is to provide a pleasant smell and to soothe the senses. However, these ingredients do more than making the fragrance; they also cause chemical reactions on the human and animal skin. These reactions can include, headaches; eye, nose, and throat irritation; nausea; forgetfulness; loss of coordination; and other respiratory and/or neurotoxic symptoms.
In addition to their aesthetic function, fragrance and perfume are used to attract more people to social gatherings and events because their scent inspires a sense of romance, elegance, and softness in a person. However, when these fragrances are made from synthetic materials, then they become less appealing because of the strong artificial fragrance that they produce. Some people also argue that synthetic fragrances do not last long because their molecules get too big and they break down easily. Natural fragrances however do not undergo such degradation because their molecules are smaller than other synthetic substances which makes them last longer.
Since perfume and fragrances have such strong odors, manufacturers avoid using harsh chemicals to create them. For this purpose, they use natural alternatives instead of synthetic compounds. Natural alternatives to perfumes and fragrances include essential oils, eucalyptus oil, cedarwood, peppermint oil, lavender oil, rosewood oil, lemongrass oil, plant oil, and others. In addition to using natural alternatives, some perfume and cologne manufacturers also produce perfumes and fragrances with a combination of natural and synthetic ingredients.
The market for fragrance and perfumes is witnessing significant growth, with several M&A activities. In May 2021, Azelis, a specialty chemical supplier, signed an agreement to acquire Vigon International, Inc., a U.S-based distributor and manufacturer of ingredients for the flavors, fragrances, and cosmetics market segments.