All about fragrances

One of the advantages of making your own soap and bath products is that you can customize the fragrance to your liking. However, mixing fragrances can be intimidating. Fragrances are not cheap and you might be afraid of having to discard a blend that simply didn't work for you.

Here is information that will help you experiment with more confidence.

✨ How does fragrance work?

People have used different types of fragrances for about 4000 years. The ancient Egyptians distilled fragrances from plants and flowers. When we smell something, the molecules of the substance are attracted by the nose and then absorbed by a thin membrane. Information about these molecules is sent to the olfactory bulb, which in turn leads to four other brain areas: the frontal cortex, the hippocampus, the amygdala, and the hypothalamus.

Connecting emotion and memory with our sense of smell gives us an advantage for survival. If we smell a predator or a fruit that has poisoned us in the past, we can recognize those odors as dangerous. As a result, our sense of smell has the ability to evoke intense emotions and memories. This might explain why we love fragrances so much that we have used them since the dawn of civilization.

Fragrances are used in all kinds of products: perfumes, skincare products, soaps, bubble baths, air fresheners, candles, shampoos and conditioners, household cleaners, and more. That's why we are exposed to fragrances daily.

🌿 Aromatic oils

Aromatic oils are artificial fragrances. They are composed of aromatic compounds, and some can be very complex, with hundreds of them. Some of these compounds are extracted from natural plants; for example, linalool can be extracted from lavender.

Synthetic fragrances are created to smell like natural aromas or to create scents not found in nature. They are also developed to reproduce the smells of fruits and flowers that cannot be extracted as essential oils.

In summary, aromatic oils (or Fragrance Oils) offer a very wide range of creative possibilities.

🌿 Essential oils

Essential oils are extracted from plants or parts of them by methods such as distillation, solvent extraction, or expression. They contain natural chemical compounds that represent the essence of the source plant.

Besides scenting products, they are used in aromatherapy for their ability to evoke sensations, calm or stimulate mood, and bring back memories.

Not all essential oils are safe: some can be toxic or irritating, both when ingested and when applied undiluted to the skin. Therefore, it is essential to know each oil and its proper use before incorporating it into your creations.

In our store, you will find this information on each product sheet; if you have doubts, review the product sheet.

🌧️ Top, middle, and base notes

Fragrances evolve over time. When applied, they emit different layers of aroma, known as notes:

Top notes: the first impression, they are volatile and disappear quickly.

Middle notes: also called heart notes, they emerge after the evaporation of the first ones. They define the main character of the fragrance.

Base notes: these last the longest. They blend with the middle notes and provide depth and persistence.

🌺 Aroma families

Olfactory families group fragrances according to their main characteristics, which helps to combine them harmoniously.

Fresh aromas: vibrant and revitalizing.

• Aquatic notes, green leaves, citrus, and fruits. Ex: Fresh Snow.
• Floral, aldehydic, powdery, and orange blossoms. Ex: Lirios del Valle & Jacinto.

Warm aromas: comforting, intense, and enveloping.

• Amber, vanilla, incense, resins. Ex: Nag Champa.
• Woods, leather, moss. Ex: Leather & Honey.

Some ingredients, like lavender or sandalwood, can belong to both families depending on what they are mixed with.

🔮 Aroma blending

A common formula to create balanced fragrances is:

• 20% top notes
• 30% middle notes
• 50% base notes

Woody scents are great allies as a base. Florals usually shine in the top notes. Amber notes combine very well with citrus and spices. Green aromas blend wonderfully with citrus and earthy notes.

Let the blend rest at least 48h for the compounds to integrate. You can add a “bridge note” to connect layers (e.g., vanilla with citrus to soften transitions).

🧠 Testing fragrances

Test your blends on scent strips before applying them to products or skin. If making perfumes, dilute them first in alcohol or carrier oils.

Let them settle before deciding if you like them. If you try several, clear your nose by smelling coffee or stepping outside for a moment.

Developing a good nose takes time. With each attempt, you will refine your intuition and create unique scents that define your style.

Copyright Brambleberry

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