Perfumery Index - Phlur Blog

Top notes work specifically to grab your attention and often utilize scents from the Fresh Olfactive Family as these are known to dissipate quicker. Think citrus and fruit notes–like tangerine, lemon, bergamot, berries and apricot. Or subtle herbs like basil or lavender.

Molecular distillation works as a great liquid-liquid separation technology under high vacuum. Aromatic essential oils are oily liquids that contain a lot of different components which can be overpowering and could confuse the dominant odor that needs to be achieved. In these situations, a molecular distillation is used to get a cleaner, finer end product. Molecular distillation is prominent with the advantages of low temperature treatment and high vacuum application to help concentrate and refine essential oils.

A carrier is a base ingredient used to enhance the evaporation or diffusion of a fragrance material or the fragrance blend. Alcohol is the carrier of choice for fine fragrances, but natural oils (olive oil, jojoba oil, and many others) can be used as carriers for essential oils.

Headspace analysis is a novel technology that was first employed by the fragrance industry in the 1980s. In simpler terms, headspace analysis can “smell” molecules much like the human nose can. This analysis technique measures the volatile compounds in the air surrounding an olfactive sample. The headspace olfactive sample that is studied is often a type of flower, herb or plant.

Are “natural” ingredients still utilized in perfumes? Yes, essential oils, fractions of essential oils, isolates, distillates, extracts and volatile concentrates are all utilized in fragrance development today and are from natural sources.