The Truth About Fragrance: Are Synthetics Always Present?

The use of synthetic ingredients in fragrances is a growing concern for consumers, who are increasingly seeking natural alternatives. However, the term 'natural' is not clearly defined, and there is no legal definition of the word. Many fragrances contain a mixture of both natural and synthetic ingredients, with synthetics often making up as much as 70% of the recipe. So, does the presence of the word 'fragrance' or 'parfum' on a label always indicate the presence of synthetics?

Natural vs synthetic scents

The use of synthetic ingredients in fragrances is increasingly seen in a negative light, with many consumers perceiving them as more harmful, less effective and worse for the environment than natural alternatives. However, despite the rise in products touting their 'all natural' credentials, synthetic ingredients still appear in most fragrances, often making up as much as 70% of the recipe.

Natural fragrances are complex creations usually comprised of aromatic raw materials such as essential oils, fractions of essential oils, isolates, exudates such as resins, distillates, extracts and volatile concentrates. Natural fragrances are not always organic but organic fragrances are always natural. Pure essential oils are always present in any natural perfume. These oils are extracted from raw fruits, flowers, herbs, leaves, seeds, roots and woods, and are usually blended with a soy or bee’s wax to create a dense fragrance.

Perfumes that contain only natural ingredients will use words like ‘ethanol’ or ‘alcohol’ usually with a reference to the plant the alcohol comes from (for example, from corn or sugar cane), and refer to essential oils, natural extracts, plant fragrance, or parfum. However, labelling laws in some countries require the word ‘parfum’ even if the fragrance is 100% natural.

Synthetic fragrances are often cheaper than natural fragrances because pure compounds are often labor-intensive and more expensive to come by. However, almost all quality fragrances made by leading perfumers contain a percentage of both natural and synthetic ingredients.

Reading ingredient labels

When it comes to reading ingredient labels, it's important to know that there is no legal definition of the term 'natural'. This means that a product labelled as 'natural' may still contain both natural and synthetic ingredients, with the majority being chemical in origin. To identify whether a perfume contains synthetic ingredients, look out for lots of unfamiliar words, codes and numbers on the ingredient panel – this is a tell-tale sign that the perfume is full of synthetic, lab-produced ingredients.

On the other hand, perfumes that contain only natural ingredients will usually list words like 'ethanol' or 'alcohol', often with a reference to the plant the alcohol is derived from, such as corn or sugar cane. They may also refer to essential oils, natural extracts, plant fragrance, or parfum. It's worth noting that labelling laws in some countries require the use of the word 'parfum' even if the fragrance is 100% natural.

If you're unsure about the ingredients in a product, don't hesitate to reach out to the company. Most natural product companies are happy to provide additional information and answer any questions you may have.

It's worth mentioning that synthetic ingredients are often perceived as more harmful, less effective, and worse for the environment. However, synthetic fragrances have their benefits too. They tend to be more affordable than their natural counterparts, as pure compounds are usually labour-intensive and expensive to produce. Additionally, many iconic fragrances, such as Chanel No 5, contain key synthetic ingredients that contribute to their signature scents.

Natural fragrances

There is no legal definition of the term 'natural' and it can be used to indicate a product that contains both natural and synthetic ingredients. Natural fragrances are complex creations usually comprised of aromatic raw materials such as essential oils, fractions of essential oils, isolates, exudates such as resins, distillates, extracts and volatile concentrates. Natural fragrances are not always organic but organic fragrances are always natural. Pure essential oils are always present in any natural perfume. These oils are extracted from raw fruits, flowers, herbs, leaves, seeds, roots and woods, and are usually blended with a soy or bee’s wax to create a dense fragrance.

Perfumes that contain only natural ingredients will use words like ‘ethanol’ or ‘alcohol’ usually with a reference to the plant the alcohol comes from (for example, from corn or sugar cane), and refer to essential oils, natural extracts, plant fragrance, or parfum (labelling laws in some countries require the word ‘parfum’ even if the fragrance is 100% natural).

Despite the rise in products touting their ‘all natural’ credentials, synthetic ingredients still appear in most fragrances, often making up as much as 70% of the recipe. Some of the most influential and iconic fragrances contain key synthetic ingredients, including Chanel No 5’s signature aldehyde notes and the synthetic coumarin used in Houbigant’s Fougère Royale.

Synthetic fragrances

Natural fragrances are complex creations usually comprised of aromatic raw materials such as essential oils, fractions of essential oils, isolates, exudates such as resins, distillates, extracts and volatile concentrates. Natural fragrances are not always organic, but organic fragrances are always natural. Pure essential oils are always present in any natural perfume. These oils are usually blended with a soy or bee’s wax to create a dense fragrance.

It can be difficult to tell whether a fragrance is synthetic or natural. If the ingredient panel includes lots of unfamiliar words, codes and numbers, it’s highly likely the perfume is full of synthetic lab-produced ingredients. However, perfumes that contain only natural ingredients will use words like ‘ethanol’ or ‘alcohol’ usually with a reference to the plant the alcohol comes from (for example, from corn or sugar cane), and refer to essential oils, natural extracts, plant fragrance, or parfum.

Synthetic ingredients in iconic fragrances

The use of synthetic ingredients in fragrances is increasingly seen in a negative light, with consumers perceiving them as more harmful, less effective and worse for the environment. However, synthetic ingredients are still used in most fragrances, including some of the most iconic, and can make up as much as 70% of the recipe. Chanel No 5, for example, contains signature aldehyde notes, while Houbigant’s Fougère Royale contains synthetic coumarin.

The term 'natural' is not clearly delineated, as there is no legal definition. This means that a product described as 'natural' might contain both natural and synthetic ingredients, with the majority being chemical in origin. Natural fragrances are complex creations usually comprised of aromatic raw materials such as essential oils, fractions of essential oils, isolates, exudates such as resins, distillates, extracts and volatile concentrates. Natural fragrances are not always organic but organic fragrances are always natural.

Perfumes that contain only natural ingredients will use words like ‘ethanol’ or ‘alcohol’ usually with a reference to the plant the alcohol comes from (for example, from corn or sugar cane), and refer to essential oils, natural extracts, plant fragrance, or parfum. However, labelling laws in some countries require the word ‘parfum’ even if the fragrance is 100% natural.

Frequently asked questions