Your favourite perfume is made from a blend of essential oils and synthetic chemicals. Learn why ethanol plays a crucial role in keeping the fragrance wafting and lasting.

How perfume is made

Whether it's to stand out in a crowd or to attend a special occasion, perfume has become an essential part of our lifestyle. A good scent not only uplifts our mood but also boosts our confidence. But have you ever wondered how this enchanting fragrance, contained in a small glass bottle, is produced in a factory? What chemicals are added to it?

What is added to perfume?

Three basic ingredients go into making any perfume: essential oils, aromatic compounds, a fixative, and a solvent like ethanol. Essential oils give perfumes their distinctive scent, fixatives help the fragrance last longer, and ethanol dissolves them into a liquid that can be easily applied to the skin.

The role of aromatic compounds

There are two types of aromatic compounds: natural and synthetic. Natural oils are extracted from flowers, fruits, spices, woods, and leaves, such as rose, sandalwood, or lemon oil. Synthetic compounds, created through chemical reactions in the lab, often smell similar to natural fragrances, but are cheaper and easier to produce on a large scale. These oils determine the true identity of a perfume.

Fixatives help the fragrance last.

Fragrance oils are extremely light and volatile, meaning they evaporate quickly in the air. For this reason, chemicals called fixatives are added to perfumes to help release the scent slowly and over a long period of time. Natural fixatives like musk were used in the past, but now most perfumes use synthetic fixatives to ensure the fragrance lasts throughout the day.

What is the use of ethanol in perfume?

Ethanol is the largest component of any perfume, typically 70 to 90 percent. Its primary function is to dilute concentrated essential oils into a thin, applicable liquid. Ethanol also evaporates rapidly, allowing the fragrance to dissipate immediately upon application to the skin. It also acts as a preservative, preventing the oils from spoiling or becoming rancid. It also makes perfumes safe to apply directly to the skin, as applying concentrated oils directly can cause irritation or allergic reactions.

Differences between different categories of perfumes

The difference between commercial perfumes, eau de parfum, and eau de toilette is determined by the ratio of ethanol to essential oil. Products with a higher concentration of essential oil and lower ethanol are thicker, more expensive, and have a longer-lasting effect. Those with a lower concentration of essential oil and higher ethanol are lighter and cheaper, but their fragrance also fades more quickly.