Smell is arguably our most powerful sense; it has the ability to awaken many vivid memories and emotions and can significantly influence our mood and mental health. In fact, research suggests that smells generate 75% of our everyday emotions, making us 100 times more likely to remember something we’ve smelled over something we’ve heard, touched or seen – that’s rather remarkable!
The benefits of aroma and the impact it can have on our wellbeing has long been appreciated, but new neuroscientific research is developing our understanding even further, leading to a huge surge in the popularity of functional fragrances.
What are functional fragrances and how do they work?
Studies have identified that smells activate reactions in our limbic system (the area in our brain that processes behavioural and emotional responses) and because of this, they can influence our body in a variety of ways – evoking memories and influencing our mood and emotions. The latest neuroscientific technology continues to investigate this, identifying which smells and accords elicit which responses, providing a hugely valuable insight into the unique relationship between what we smell and how we feel.
‘Functional fragrances’ is a term that refers to this link and centres on the key thought that fragrances can not only make us smell good but feel good too. By using functional fragrances, formulators can therefore encourage consumers to develop deeper emotional connections to their products.
A growing trend
The science behind scent makes it clear why there’s such a growing trend for the use of functional fragrances, not just in fragrance formulations but in a variety of personal care and cosmetic formulations too. In addition to this increased market awareness, consumers are continuing to prioritise self-care and wellbeing, which is exactly what functional fragrances can help consumers achieve.
It’s this combination of factors that’s made the development of function fragrances skyrocket over the last few years, and there’s no doubt in our minds that it will remain a hugely popular trend for many years to come.
Formulating with functional fragrances
Harness the power of functional fragrances in your next formulation! Here at Chemlink Specialities, we cater to your formulation needs and we have a wide variety of fragrances available from our principal Carrubba. Our technical team will discuss your formulation needs with you in order to best advise you on the perfect ingredients for your specific formulation goals. Please get in touch with our team, either by phone or using the form below, to discuss this further.
