Wellbeing benefits of perfume

Benefits of perfume & your wellbeing 

But don’t just take our word for it; fragrance historian Roja Dove says, “The wonderful thing about fragrance is that it has the magical ability to affect our mood.” He says that making them part of your day-to-day can have a long-lasting effect on your mindset. “Smelling botanical fragrances can become a ritual for relaxing, just like having a glass of wine to unwind quietly at home. Perfumes do make us feel better. They lift our mood and make us feel good.”  

While no instant cure is found in the world of fragrance for conditions that may affect your wellbeing, such as stress or anxiety, botanical scents are thought to be universal mood boosters. This is because our brain associates specific memories with certain smells and can even trigger responses in our nervous systems that help project our moods and lift our spirits, leading to feelings of happiness.  

In a similar way to inhaling the scent of freshly cut grass in spring or a bouquet of roses from a loved one, you can rely on a botanical fragrance for a little lift – a welcome addition to your everyday. 

So, we’ve mentioned natural and botanical perfumes having a potential benefit on your wellbeing, but what’s the difference, and how do you know which is right for you? Here’s the low-down you need to know…  

Are botanical perfumes and natural perfumes the same? 

In short, no, they’re not the same, although the terms have become interchangeable in the fragrance world. However, there is an apparent difference between the two which we will delve into now…  

Botanical perfume: A botanical perfume is made with 100% natural ingredients, such as leaves, bark, wood, flowers and fruits. They may also contain essential oils, CO2 extracts, resins and tinctures, but they never contain synthetics, chemical preservatives or animal-derived ingredients, making them suitable for vegans. Plus, due to their ability to work in harmony with our skin’s natural oils, you can also enjoy using a botanical perfume, knowing it will smell slightly different on you than it will on another person!  

Natural perfume:  The biggest difference between botanical and natural perfume is that a natural perfume may contain animal-derived ingredients, such as honey or milk, making them unsuitable for anyone living a vegan lifestyle. Natural perfumes also do not contain synthetic ingredients – even the addition of a small amount means it’s not a true natural perfume formula.  

Not sure if your chosen scent is 100% natural? Simply look at the ingredients label, as it will contain a full list of what has gone into your natural scent. If you spot the term ‘fragrance’, chances are it contains non-natural elements, and it may not be what you are looking for to support your wellbeing.