Natural perfumes are made with natural ingredients such as essential oils, fresh or dried flowers, fruits and spices. They often contain flower waters such as rose water or orange blossom water, infused plant oils, and natural vegetable oils and waxes. Their color comes from essential oils and flowers and they do not contain synthetic colorings or preservatives.
Perfumes and Chemicals
Many perfumes on the market contain synthetic fragrances, colors and preservatives such as parabens. Chemicals and synthetic aromas are added to perfumes because natural essential oils and other natural ingredients are expensive, and it is cheaper for perfume makers to use synthetic aromas. Some chemicals found in perfumes are thought to be harmful to health, and some synthetic fragrances can cause skin allergies or other allergic reactions. Natural fragrances and perfumes do not contain parabens, pthalates, synthetic musks or other chemicals.
Perfumes and Essential Oils
The most common ingredients in natural fragrances are essential oils. Many perfume makers use some essential oils in their perfumes, but in commercially made perfumes they are often mixed with synthetic fragrances. True rose, jasmine or sandalwood oil is very expensive, and many perfume suppliers add cheaper synthetic scents to keep the manufacturing costs lower.
Essential oils are natural oils that are extracted from flowers, leaves, seeds, fruits and roots from many aromatic plants. Some of the most popular oils used in perfume making are rose, jasmine, sandalwood and orange blossom. Just like perfumes are divided into base, middle and top notes, essential oils can be divided into the same categories. Base notes include vetivert, sandalwood and frankincense, middle notes include lavender, geranium and many other flower oils, and top notes include many fruit oils such as bergamot or orange. At least 3-4 essential oils are usually used in a blend to make a perfume.
How To Use a Natural Perfume
Natural perfumes generally last 2-3 years before they start to lose their scent. The perfumes do not necessarily go bad, but the scent will become less powerful. The top notes start to fade first while the base and middle notes become more prominent. The best way to store your perfumes is in a dark and cool place away from sunlight and heat.
Natural fragrances are not as overpowering as synthetic perfumes, but they do not last on the skin like synthetic perfumes do. Some essential oils, such as sandalwood, can last a long time, but many top or middle notes disappear after a few hours. Natural perfumes usually need to be reapplied every few hours, depending on the perfume.
