Choosing a fragrance today is not only a matter of taste, but also a matter of awareness. More and more often we think about the composition of perfumes, we are interested in what they contain and how it affects us and the environment. On store shelves there are perfumes labeled “100% natural”, “no synthetics”, “natural oils”, and at the same time, cult classic fragrances from luxury brands are still created using synthetic components.
So what to choose: natural or synthetic fragrances? Let’s figure out what the difference is, how they affect health, and which option is right for you.
What are natural fragrances?
Natural fragrances are created exclusively from components of natural origin:
plant, animal (for example, amber, musk – although today they are almost completely replaced by synthetics), as well as products of essential oil processing.
Main sources:
- Essential oils (lavender, citrus, patchouli, ylang-ylang, etc.)
- Absolutes and resins (jasmine, rose, incense)
- Extracts from bark, herbs, roots and spices
Methods of obtaining:
- Distillation (steam distillation)
- Maceration (infusion of raw materials in oil)
- Expression (squeezing, for example, citrus peel)
Such perfumes are perceived as more “lively”, natural, but they also have their own characteristics – limited durability, limited variety, dependence on the harvest and weather conditions.
What are synthetic fragrances?
Synthetic fragrances are created in a laboratory, where molecules are “assembled” from scratch or recreate natural smells. Modern perfumes are 80-90% synthetic – and this is not necessarily a bad thing.
What’s good about synthetics:
- Allows you to recreate rare and disappearing notes without harming nature
- Allows you to experiment with unique molecules (eg Iso E Super, Cashmeran, Ambroxan)
- Guarantees consistency of quality from batch to batch
Synthetics have opened up a whole universe of new possibilities for perfumery. It is thanks to them that we know such scents as “purity”, “skin molecule”, “metal”, “ozone”, “wet paper” and many other abstract notes.
Natural vs. Synthetic: A Comparison
The difference between natural and synthetic fragrances is not only a question of where the ingredients come from, but also how they behave on the skin, how long they last, and how they are perceived . Here are the key differences:
● Longevity: Natural perfumes tend to be less long-lasting. They may fade after 2-4 hours, especially if they don’t contain anchoring notes.
Synthetic fragrances last much longer — often up to 10-12 hours or more, especially if they contain ambroxan, musks, or woody molecules.
● Allergenicity: Contrary to popular belief, it is the natural ingredients that are more likely to cause allergic reactions. Essential oils are strong irritants, especially for people with sensitive skin.
Synthetic molecules, if designed correctly, can be hypoallergenic and gentler on the skin.
● Eco-Friendly: Natural ingredients sound “eco,” but their extraction can be harmful to the environment (such as cutting down sandalwood or depleting rare plants).
Synthetics are often more environmentally friendly because their production does not require the use of natural resources and is not dependent on weather conditions or crop yields.
● Variety of smells: Nature is limited in its aromas: you will not find in it, say, the smell of a “clean shirt” or “electricity”.
Synthetics open up a limitless world – you can create any fantasy, from the smell of paper to “invisible musk”.
● Price: Natural fragrances are often more expensive due to labor-intensive production and high raw material costs.
Synthetic perfumes can be both expensive (in a niche segment) and more affordable in mass production.
● Uniqueness: Natural fragrances are “alive”, they open up differently on each skin.
Synthetics allow to achieve precise and stable sound – the same from bottle to bottle.
Impact on health and skin
One of the most common myths: natural means safe , and synthetic means harmful. In reality, everything is not so clear-cut.
Natural components often cause allergic reactions. For example, citrus essential oil can cause skin irritation, and rose can cause headaches in sensitive people. Some oils have photosensitizing properties (increase sensitivity to the sun).
Synthetic components developed in modern laboratories are usually dermatologically tested. In niche and luxury perfumery, they are controlled much more strictly than is commonly believed.
Tip: Always test the fragrance on your skin, especially if you have allergies, asthma or other sensitivities.
How are these scents perceived?
The difference between natural and synthetic is not only in the composition, but also in the sensations .
Natural scents are often associated with nature, organicity, calm. They “breathe”, develop over time, but can sound “raw” or “soapy” on the skin.
Synthetic fragrances can be:
● Extremely persistent
● More abstract and “futuristic”
● Clearly controlled in disclosure
For some, synthetics are “chemistry”, and for others, the art of molecular perfumery. It all depends on your taste and perception.
What should you choose?
The choice depends on what you expect from the fragrance . Below is a hint on what to focus on:
Choose a natural fragrance if:
- You care about the environmentally friendly composition
- You love herbal, oily, green and floral notes
- Ready to put up with less durability for the sake of naturalness
Choose a synthetic fragrance if:
- All-day durability is important to you.
- You love complex, unusual, futuristic compositions
- You have an allergy to natural oils
Ideally, try both categories. After all, the best fragrances often combine both natural and synthetic notes, creating harmony between nature and science.
Questions and Answers
No. Modern synthetic molecules are often safer than some essential oils.
Yes, but there are fewer of them, they are less durable and often more expensive.
First, test the fragrance on your wrist, give preference to hypoallergenic or tested options (including those with synthetics).