Heidi Norton
Many perfumes contain a chemical called indole, which is found in white flowers and, coincidentally, also in poop. At low concentrations, indole has a flowery smell, but in large quantities, it smells like feces. This is because indole is frequently found in poop, and that is how most people are exposed to it. Indole is added to many perfumes, including Baccarat Rouge 540, Musc Ravageur, and Musc Koublai Khan, as well as to chocolates, coffees, and fruity-flavored sweets.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chemical compound | Indole, Skatol |
| Concentration | High |
| Contributing factors | Illness, weather |
| Fragrances with fecal notes | Baccarat Rouge 540, Musc Ravageur by Frederic Malle, Musc Koublai Khan by Serge Lutens, Chanel No. 5, Mona di Orio Les Nombres d'Or Oud, Lancome Tresor, Realities, Honey/Tobacco oil |
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What You'll Learn
Some perfumes contain indole, a chemical also found in poop
Some perfumes contain indole, a chemical compound that is also found in poop. Indole is a molecule that is made up of two carbon rings, with spikes of hydrogen at each joint and a dash of nitrogen. While indole is commonly associated with poop due to its presence in feces, it is also naturally occurring in many white floral scents such as orange blossoms, jasmine, and juniper. Perfumers often add it to flowery fragrances to create a human, sexual edge.
The concentration of indole plays a crucial role in how it is perceived by the sense of smell. At low concentrations, indole can have a pleasant, flowery fragrance. It is described as having a fresh, slightly sweet, and lush animal odor. This makes it a desirable ingredient in perfumes, as it can lend a unique and intriguing quality to the fragrance. However, when present in high concentrations, indole can smell like poop to most people. The higher the concentration, the stronger the association with fecal odor becomes.
The perception of indole can vary among individuals. Some people may detect fecal notes in perfumes containing indole, while others find these same fragrances to be pleasant and floral. This variation in perception may be due to the way scent molecules interact with the receptors in our noses. When a scent with a high concentration of indole hits our noses, it is believed to bind to a wider range of receptors, including those associated with unpleasant odors. On the other hand, a trace amount of indole may activate a smaller set of receptors, resulting in a more positive olfactory experience.
The presence of indole in a perfume can be challenging to identify, as it may not always be listed as an ingredient. This can make it difficult for consumers to avoid fragrances with indole if they are sensitive to its fecal undertones. However, some people appreciate the complexity that indole adds to a perfume, and it continues to be used in perfumery to create unique and memorable scents.
To avoid the unpleasant surprise of a fecal-smelling perfume, it is advisable to test a fragrance before purchasing it. Sampling a perfume and wearing it for a day can help individuals determine if the scent suits their taste and how it evolves on their skin. While indole can be off-putting to some, others find it intriguing, showcasing the subjective nature of fragrance preferences.
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Indole is found in many flowers, including jasmine
Indole is a compound that is commonly associated with a fecal smell. However, it is also found in many flowers, including jasmine, tuberose, neroli, orange blossom, gardenia, hyacinth, honeysuckle, lilac, and rose. In fact, jasmine, particularly the variety Jasmine Grandiflorum, is known for its high indole content, with jasmine oils containing around 2.5% indole.
Indole is an aromatic heterocyclic compound, consisting of a six-membered benzene ring fused to a five-membered nitrogen-containing pyrrole ring. In its pure form, indole has a strong, sweet, tar-like pungency reminiscent of mothballs. However, when diluted, indole takes on a more floral and ambient scent. This transformation is particularly evident in jasmine, where the indole note adds a seductive, alluring quality to the fragrance.
The presence of indole in jasmine and other flowers is what gives them their rich, narcotic fragrance. While indole is often associated with a fecal smell, this is typically due to its high concentration and interaction with other molecules. In trace amounts, indole contributes to the seductive and lively qualities of floral scents.
The key to indole's scent is in its dilution. When indole is highly concentrated, it can smell like feces, especially when mixed with humidity and decaying molecules. However, when diluted, indole loses its mustiness and becomes more floral and ambient. This is why jasmine, despite its high indole content, does not smell like feces. The indole is diluted and combined with other fragrant molecules, creating a pleasant, sweet, and floral scent.
Additionally, indole is not just found in flowers but is also added to fragrances, chocolates, coffees, and fruity-flavored sweets. Its inclusion in these products lends a human and sexual edge, providing a unique and appealing quality.
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Indole can smell flowery in low concentrations
Indole is a naturally occurring chemical compound that can be found in a variety of sources, including white flowers (such as jasmine, tuberose, and neroli), wallflowers, chocolate, decomposing fruit, human feces, and many other substances. It is the musky smell produced during human sex and has been described as carnal, heady, penetrating, and animal-like.
Indole is added to perfumes to lend a human, sexual edge to the fragrance. However, the scent of indole depends on its concentration. In large concentrations, indole is associated with an intense fecal odor. This is because indole is found in feces, and your most frequent contact with indole is when it is passed out of your body in this form.
On the other hand, at very low concentrations, indole has a flowery smell and is a constituent of many flower scents (such as orange blossoms) and perfumes. This is why indole is added to perfumes with floral notes. When indole is present in small amounts, it adds a seductive, alluring, and "alive" quality to the fragrance.
The key to indole's scent is in dilution. When indole is highly concentrated, the sexy, sultry edge of fresh flowers becomes muddled with a mustier, dirty undertone. This is why it is important to test a fragrance and wear it for a while before buying it, as the scent can change over time.
Additionally, when a scent hits your nose in large concentrations, it binds to a wider range of receptors than when only a trace of it is detected. This may explain why a lot of perfume can smell overwhelming or bad, as too much scent will activate the receptors in your nose associated with bad scents.
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Other perfumes with fecal notes include Baccarat Rouge 540 and Musc Ravageur
Many perfumes contain a chemical called indole, which is found in white flowers and, surprisingly, also in poop. In low concentrations, indole has a flowery smell, but in higher concentrations, it smells like feces. Jasmine, for example, contains 2.5% indole.
Musc Ravageur, by Frederic Malle, is an oriental spicy fragrance for women and men. Its top notes include lavender, tangerine, and coriander, while its base notes include musk, vanilla, sandalwood, and patchouli. Some people have described the scent as having a fecal musk note that blends too well with the rose and orris, making the composition feel too heavy and dark. One person described the scent as smelling like "wet, earthy, wild animal poop." However, others have described it as beautiful and refined, empowering, and a masterpiece.
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Some people are more sensitive to fecal notes than others
Some people are more sensitive to fecal notes in perfumes than others. This is due to the presence of indole, a chemical that is found in both perfume and poop. Indole has a flowery smell at very low concentrations and is commonly found in white floral scents such as orange blossoms and jasmine. However, at high concentrations, it can smell like poop. The concentration of indole in a perfume can vary, and some people may be more sensitive to it than others. For example, some people may find that a particular perfume has a strong fecal note, while others may not detect it at all. This can be due to a variety of factors, such as the individual's sense of smell, the weather, or even the presence of a head cold or sinus infection.
In addition to indole, another chemical that can contribute to fecal notes in perfumes is skatol. Skatol is found in the smell of feces as well as in many white flowers, such as orange blossoms and juniper. Like indole, the concentration of skatol can affect its smell, with higher concentrations smelling fecal.
It is worth noting that the perception of fecal notes in perfumes can also be subjective. Some people may find certain perfumes with indole or skatol more offensive than others, even if the concentration of these chemicals is the same. This could be due to individual differences in taste and preference, or cultural and societal norms and expectations.
To avoid perfumes with fecal notes, some people choose to opt for high-end or more expensive fragrances, as they believe that cheaper perfumes are more likely to contain higher concentrations of indole or skatol. Additionally, some people recommend testing a perfume for a day before purchasing it to ensure that it does not have any unwanted notes.
Overall, while the presence of indole and skatol can contribute to the fecal notes in perfumes, the sensitivity to these notes varies from person to person due to a variety of factors, including concentration, individual sense of smell, and personal preference.
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Frequently asked questions
Your perfume might contain a chemical called indole, which is found in white flowers but also in poop. In low concentrations, indole has a flowery smell, but in high concentrations, it smells like poop.
Some examples of perfumes that have been described as having a fecal undertone include Baccarat Rouge 540, Musc Ravageur by Frederic Malle, Musc Koublai Khan by Serge Lutens, Chanel No. 5, and Mona di Orio Les Nombres d’Or Oud.
It seems that when a scent containing indole hits your nose in large concentrations, it binds to a wider range of receptors than when only a trace amount reaches your nostril. This means that too much indole will activate the receptors in your nose associated with bad scents, while a small amount will only bind to receptors associated with more pleasant smells.
