Fragrance
Fragrance is a blend of aromatic compounds added to beauty products to give them a pleasant scent. In the UK, it must be listed simply as 'Parfum' or 'Fragrance' on labels, and it can be made from natural essential oils or synthetic ingredients. While it makes your skincare, haircare and makeup smell lovely, sensitive skin may react to it.
How it works in skincare
In cosmetics and skincare, fragrance works by incorporating carefully balanced aromatic molecules that evaporate at different rates to create a top, middle and base note profile. These scent compounds are added in tiny percentages to mask the natural odour of raw ingredients, enhance the user experience, and often provide a subtle signature to a brand’s product line. UK regulations require that any added fragrance be declared as Parfum on the INCI list, allowing formulators to protect their exact scent recipes while giving consumers the information needed to avoid potential irritants.
Key benefits
- Creates an enjoyable sensory experience during application
- Helps mask the natural odour of base ingredients
- Can make daily skincare routines feel more luxurious
- Contributes to a brand’s distinctive product identity
- May provide a light fresh or calming scent profile
- Enhances the overall perception of product quality
Best for
normal skin, combination skin, oily skin
Where it comes from
Fragrance can be derived from natural sources such as essential oils extracted from flowers, leaves, bark, seeds and fruits of plants like rose, lavender, citrus and sandalwood. It is also commonly produced synthetically in laboratories to recreate or improve upon natural scents in a more stable and cost-effective way.