What is the difference between natural and synthetic fragrances? A thorough explanation of the ingredients in perfume

"This perfume is safe because it uses natural fragrances" "Synthetic fragrances are chemical and seem bad for you" - have you ever heard things like this while researching perfume?

In fact, the relationship between natural and synthetic fragrances in the world of perfume is not so simple. Both have their own appeal, and many modern perfumes are made by skillfully combining the two.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the differences between natural and synthetic fragrances, the ingredients used in perfumes, their respective advantages and disadvantages, and their roles in modern perfume making.

What are perfume fragrances?

Perfume is mainly composed of three components: fragrance , alcohol , and water . Of these, fragrance is the core of the scent, and it is broadly divided into two types: natural fragrance and synthetic fragrance.

The ratio of fragrances determines the concentration and duration of a perfume, and it is classified as parfum (15-30%), eau de parfum (10-15%), eau de toilette (5-10%), etc.

Natural Fragrances: A Gift from Nature

What are natural flavors?

Natural fragrances are naturally derived fragrance components extracted from plants and animals. Since ancient times, humans have extracted scents from flowers, leaves, fruits, trees, resins, etc. and used them as perfumes and incense.

Types of natural flavors

Plant-derived fragrances

• Flower Extracts: Rose, Jasmine, Lavender, Ylang-ylang
• Fruit extracts: lemon, orange, bergamot, grapefruit
• Leaf Extract: Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Peppermint
• Extracted from trees: Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Rosewood
• Resin Extracts: Frankincense, Myrrh
• Root Extract: Vetiver, Iris (Oris)

Fragrances of animal origin (rarely used nowadays)

• Musk: Secretion of the musk deer
• Ambergris: A substance found in the intestines of sperm whales
• Civet: Secretion of the civet cat

Nowadays, from the perspective of animal protection, animal-derived fragrances are rarely used and have been replaced by synthetic musks and other substances.

The benefits of natural flavours

1. Complex and deep aroma
   • Because it contains hundreds of different aromatic ingredients, even a single fragrance can have a wide range of expressions.
   • Natural fragrance that changes subtly over time
2. History and Tradition
   • A sense of security that has been loved for a long time
   • Cultural background and narrative
3. Natural look
   • A gentle and familiar scent
   • Blends naturally into the skin

Disadvantages of natural flavors

1. Unstable quality
   • The aroma and quality change depending on the place of origin, weather, and harvest time.
   • There is variation between lots
2. Rarity and high price
   • Only a small amount can be extracted from a large amount of raw material (for example, about 4 tons of rose petals are required to produce 1 kg of rose essential oil).
   • Prices fluctuate due to climate change and political instability
3. Risk of allergies
   • Complex composition of ingredients may contain allergens
   • Quality control is difficult
4. Supply limits
   • Mass production is difficult due to dependency on nature
   • The problem of endangered species

Synthetic Flavors: Science Brings New Possibilities

What are synthetic fragrances?

Synthetic fragrances are fragrance ingredients artificially created through chemical reactions. Their development began in earnest in the latter half of the 19th century with the development of the petrochemical industry, and they are now indispensable in the perfume industry.

Types of synthetic fragrances

1. natural identical fragrance
   • Has the same chemical structure as naturally occurring fragrance molecules
   • Examples: synthetic vanillin, synthetic citral
2. Natural-like fragrance
   • Has a structure similar to naturally occurring fragrances
   • Example: Linalool derivatives
3. artificial fragrance
   • A completely new fragrance molecule that does not exist in nature
   • Example: White musk, marine notes

The benefits of synthetic fragrances

1. Stable quality
   • Provides the same scent every time
   • Easy quality control
2. Improved safety
   • Fewer impurities
   • Allergens can be removed or adjusted
   • Thorough safety testing
3. Cost performance
   • Mass production possible
   • Stable pricing
4. Creating new scents
   • Create scents that don't exist in nature
   • Fragrances that go beyond the limits of your imagination
5. Environmental Considerations
   • Protecting rare plants
   • Sustainable Raw Materials Sourcing

Disadvantages of synthetic fragrances

1. Monotony of scent
   • Because it is a single ingredient, it may lack the complexity of natural flavors.
2. Chemical image
   • It can be perceived as "artificial"
3. Dependence on creativity
   • Quality is greatly influenced by the perfumer's skill

The role of natural and synthetic fragrances in modern perfumery

Collaborative Fragrance Evolution

Today's high-quality perfumes are made by skillfully combining natural and synthetic ingredients, each of which has its own strengths and complements the other's weaknesses.

Example combinations:

• Natural rose essential oil (complexity and naturalness) + synthetic Iso-E Super (persistence and transparency)
• Natural bergamot (natural citrus) + synthetic hedione (modern sparkle)

The role of the perfumer

Modern perfumers are artists who find the optimal combinations among thousands of natural and synthetic ingredients, and they use a deep understanding of the properties of each ingredient to select the ingredients that best suit the desired scent image.

Sustainability Perspective

Increasing environmental awareness is driving sustainability in the perfume industry:

• Natural flavours: organic, fair trade and biodiversity conservation
• Synthetic fragrances: green chemistry, use of renewable raw materials

Clearing up common misconceptions

Myth 1: "Natural = safe, synthetic = dangerous"

Truth: Safety is not determined by natural or synthetic, but by the individual ingredients and the amounts used. Natural fragrances can also contain allergens, and synthetic fragrances may be cleaner and safer.

Myth 2: "Natural flavors are higher quality"

Truth: Quality should be judged by the beauty and perfection of the fragrance, not whether it is natural or synthetic. Many great fragrances are the result of a perfect balance of both.

Myth 3: "Synthetic fragrances are fake"

Truth: Synthetic fragrances are creative tools that expand the world of scent, creating beautiful scents that do not exist in nature and expanding the possibilities of perfumery.

Cavto's goal in creating fragrances

Ranjatai Eau de Parfum is inspired by the historical fragrant wood "Ranjatai" and is a skillful combination of natural and synthetic fragrances.

• Natural charm: The deep woody feel of oud and sandalwood
• Synthetic technology: modern transparency and longevity
• The Art of Harmony: The Perfect Balance for Recreating Ancient Fragrances

Summary: There are no boundaries in the world of fragrance

Understanding the difference between natural and synthetic fragrances is the first step to a deeper appreciation of the world of perfume, but most importantly, whether or not the scent is beautiful to you.

Modern perfumes, through the cooperation of natural and synthetic ingredients, allow for the expression of scents that were not possible in the past. By experiencing a variety of scents with an open mind and without prejudice, you are sure to find your own special one.

Fragrance knows no boundaries: whether natural or synthetic, the best perfume is the one that inspires you.