Things to consider before buying an alcohol-free fragrance

According to several medical studies, between 1-3% of the world’s population have allergic problems with alcohol-based perfumes. This has been one of the prime reasons behind the rise of alcohol-free fragrances. There are currently over 100 perfume brands offering alcohol-free fragrances. This includes a mix of niche and mainstream brands. A recent study by the market research firm Mintel found that the number of alcohol-free fragrance launches has increased by 15% in 2022. So, the market is growing rapidly with more and more brands offering alcohol-free options to their customers.

Generally, the brands label their fragrances as alcohol-free before marketing them to their customers. This has been the standard practice for years. However, several facts are often disregarded by general customers while purchasing their favourite alcohol-free fragrances. For their well-being, we are trying to highlight these facts in this article.

“Parfum” which is a French word for perfume. Parfum is a mixture of fragrance compounds and alcohol, and the alcohol content of parfum can vary widely. Some perfumes contain as little as 10% alcohol, while others contain as much as 90% alcohol. It is important to note that the term "alcohol-free" is not regulated in the cosmetics industry. This means that manufacturers can use this term to label their products even if they contain small amounts of alcohol. Consumers should be aware of this and read the ingredient list carefully before purchasing any cosmetic product.

It is important to note that there is no official definition of what constitutes an "alcohol-free" perfume. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a perfume can be labelled as alcohol-free if it contains less than 10% alcohol. However, some people may still be sensitive to even small amounts of alcohol, and they may experience skin irritation or other adverse reactions. So, it is important to be aware of the potential risks before using any product that claims to be alcohol-free.

Another piece of evidence is if the specific product contains benzaldehyde. Benzaldehyde is a naturally occurring compound that is found in many fruits and vegetables, but it is also a common ingredient in perfumes and other scented products. Benzaldehyde is typically dissolved in alcohol before it is added to cosmetic products. So, if a product description has mentioned the presence of benzaldehyde, be aware.

Luxury brands are often more secretive about their formulas. Often they use the term “trade secret formula” in their product description. This means that the company is not required to disclose all of the ingredients including alcohol in its products. Often these fragrances have a very strong, and long-lasting scent, which suggests that they contain a high concentration of fragrance compounds. Alcohol is often used to dissolve and diffuse these compounds. Their customers have often been complaining about the possible presence of alcoholic substances.

So, what options do we have now?

For your convenience, we have selected three perfumes, viz., Clean Reserve Rain, Byredo Blanche, and Acqua di Parma Colonia which are officially labelled as alcohol-free and their customers have also never felt any alcohol in their notes so far. However, before going about a discussion on their respective qualities, let us tell our readers that we are not promoting these brands and we don’t have any affiliation with their products. Their selections have been made based on analysing the public-domain information and the customer reviews and feedback. We can not guarantee their “alcohol-free” status. This customers are advised to enquire themselves before making any purchase.

Perfume	Manufacturing methods
Clean Reserve Rain	Water-based solution
Byredo Blanche	Water-based solution with emulsifier
Acqua di Parma Colonia	Carrier oil (grape seed oil)

These perfumes use a variety of different methods to achieve their alcohol-free status. For example, some perfumes use water-based solutions to disperse the essential oils, while others use carrier oils such as grape seed oil.

Water-based solutions are a common way to make alcohol-free perfumes. The essential oils are dispersed in the water using an emulsifier. This creates a stable emulsion that prevents the essential oils from separating from the water.

Carrier oils are another common way to make alcohol-free perfumes. The essential oils are simply blended with the carrier oil to create a perfume. Carrier oils such as jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, and sunflower oil are often used because they are non-comedogenic (meaning they won't clog pores) and have a long shelf life.

Some additional details of these fragrances

Clean Reserve Rain

Clean Reserve Rain is a unisex fragrance launched in 2017. It is an aquatic floral fragrance that captures the scent of a rainforest after a fresh rainfall.

The fragrance opens with bright notes of daffodils, dewy melons, water lilies, and daisies. The heart of the fragrance is a blend of crisp, watery cucumber notes and airy musk. The base of the fragrance is earthy and woody, with notes of vetiver and patchouli.

Byredo Blanche

Byredo Blanche is a floral unisex aldehyde fragrance launched in 2009. It is a fragrance that is both airy and sensual, with a clean, soapy freshness.

The top notes of Blanche are aldehydes, rose centifolia, and pink pepper. The aldehydes give the fragrance a crisp, metallic edge, while the rose and pink pepper add a touch of sweetness and spice.

The heart notes of Blanche are peony, violet, and African orange flowers. These notes are soft and feminine, and they add a delicate floral bouquet to the fragrance.

The base notes of Blanche are musk, woodsy notes, and sandalwood. The musk gives the fragrance a warm, sensual depth, while the woodsy notes add a touch of earthiness.

Blanche is a fragrance that is both versatile and timeless. It can be worn for any occasion, from day to night, and it is perfect for any season. It is a fragrance that is both elegant and approachable, and it is sure to turn heads wherever you go.

Acqua di Parma Colonia

Acqua di Parma Colonia is a classic unisex fragrance that was first launched in 1916. It is known for its refreshing and clean scent. The fragrance is a blend of citrus fruits and spices. The top notes of the fragrance are bright bergamot and lemon. The heart notes are lavender and rose, while the base notes are vetiver and patchouli.

It is a popular fragrance that has been praised by critics and users alike. The fragrance is praised for its refreshing and clean scent. It is also praised for its classic and timeless appeal. It is a great choice for everyday wear, as well as for special occasions.

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These fragrances won’t cause you olfactory fatigue

If you have reached this article, then there is a high chance that you are also facing the olfactory fatigue issue with your perfume(s). That charming and energizing scent that your nose is badly missing after wearing your beloved perfume for a while. You wear this fragrance not just for the people around you but for yourself as well. It is very much a part of your persona and its absence deprives you of the confidence that you need in your personal and professional space. So, our suggestion is why not to try those perfumes which would never cause this issue. Here, we have selected a few of these perfumes.

(Photo source: pexels.com)

Fragrances less likely to cause olfactory fatigue

Citrus scents: Citrus scents are known for being refreshing and invigorating. They are also typically quite light and airy. Some popular citrus perfumes include:

1. Acqua di Parma Colonia
2. Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche
3. Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt

Floral scents: Floral scents can be very complex and beautiful. However, some floral scents can be quite heavy and overwhelming. If you are looking for a floral scent that is less likely to cause olfactory fatigue, choose one that has a simple composition and lighter notes. Some popular floral perfumes that are less likely to cause olfactory fatigue include:

1. Dior J'adore Eau de Toilette
2. Lancôme La Vie Est Belle Eau de Toilette
3. Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau de Toilette

Green scents: Green scents are known for being fresh and clean. They are also typically quite light and airy. Some popular green perfumes include:

1. Clinique Happy
2. Dior Fahrenheit 32
3. Elizabeth Arden Green Tea

Why light and airy perfumes?

Perfume	Fragrance oil concentration
Acqua di Parma Colonia	Eau de Cologne (2-5%)
Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche	Eau de Toilette (5-15%)
Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt	Eau de Cologne (2-5%)
Dior J'adore Eau de Toilette	Eau de Toilette (5-15%)
Lancôme La Vie Est Belle Eau de Toilette	Eau de Toilette (5-15%)
Clinique Happy	Eau de Toilette (5-15%)
Dior Fahrenheit 32	Eau de Toilette (5-15%)
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea	Eau de Cologne (2-5%)

 

As you can see, all of these perfumes are classified as either Eau de Cologne or Eau de Toilette, which means that they have a concentration of fragrance oil between 2% and 15%. This makes them all relatively light and airy, and they are less likely to cause olfactory fatigue than perfumes with a higher concentration of fragrance oil.

There are a few reasons why light and airy perfumes are less likely to cause olfactory fatigue than heavier and more complex perfumes.

First, light and airy perfumes typically have a simpler composition, with fewer different notes. This makes it easier for your nose to distinguish between the different notes, and it also makes it less likely that you will become desensitized to the scent.

Second, light and airy perfumes are often made with more volatile fragrance oils. These fragrance oils evaporate more quickly than less volatile fragrance oils, which means that the scent will not linger as long on your skin. This can also help to prevent olfactory fatigue.

Here are some examples of more volatile fragrance oils:

• Citrus oils (lemon, orange, grapefruit, bergamot, etc.)
• Floral oils (rose, jasmine, lavender, etc.)
• Green oils (vetiver, lemongrass, eucalyptus, etc.)

These oils are often used in light and airy perfumes, as they can create a refreshing and invigorating scent. They are also often used in aromatherapy, as they can have a calming and relaxing effect.

Finally, light and airy perfumes are often associated with fresh and clean scents, such as citrus, floral, and green scents. These scents are typically less overwhelming than heavier and more complex scents, and they are also less likely to trigger olfactory fatigue.

The difference created by perfume base

It is important to note that the volatility of fragrance oil can also be affected by other factors, such as the concentration of the oil and the base in which it is used. For example, an oil will evaporate more quickly if it is used in an alcohol base than in an oil base.

 

Perfumes	Base
Acqua di Parma Colonia	Alcohol, water, citrus oils, lavender, rosemary, and jasmine
Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche	Alcohol, water, citrus oils, floral oils, and musk
Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt	Alcohol, water, sea salt, sage, and ambrette seeds
Dior J'adore Eau de Toilette	Alcohol, water, floral oils, and musk
Lancôme La Vie Est Belle Eau de Toilette	Alcohol, water, floral oils, and vanilla
Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau de Toilette	Alcohol, water, floral oils, and musk
Clinique Happy	Alcohol, water, floral oils, and musk
Dior Fahrenheit 32	Alcohol, water, woody oils, and musk
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea	Alcohol, water, green oils, and musk

 

As you can see, all of these perfumes are based on alcohol, which is the most common base for perfumes. Alcohol helps to evaporate the fragrance oils, which is why it is used in perfumes with a lower concentration of fragrance oil.

Ultimately, the best way to find a perfume that is less likely to cause olfactory fatigue is to experiment. Try different scents and see which ones you can smell the longest and still enjoy.

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These are twelve Chanel fragrances that outperform their peers in longevity

Today, we have shortlisted a total twelve of Chanel fragrances who outperform their peers in terms of longevity and also discussed the factors behind such amazing performance.

Chanel perfumes are some of the most iconic fragrances in the world. They are associated with the brand's image of luxury, fashion, and sophistication. The brand currently has a total of 137 perfumes in its fragrance database including perfumes for both men and women.

(Image source: pexels.com)

We often vie for a particular Chanel perfume typically for its complex and sophisticated scents. However, another aspect of these perfumes is also equally appreciated, i.e., their long-lasting aroma. Many Chanel perfumes can last for 6-8 hours on the skin. Many of their fragrances, like Chanel No. 5 Parfum, can last for even longer. It is something that we already know but haven’t really spared any thought on it. Today, we have shortlisted a total twelve of Chanel fragrances who outperform their peers in terms of longevity and also discussed the factors behind such amazing performance.

One main reason for this magical longevity is the bottle designs of these perfumes. An efficient sprayer bottle should produce a fine mist and release the optimal amount of perfume with each spray without wasting any fragrance in the air. Generally, such wastage is estimated to be 20% of the fragrances’ net weight. Thus, an average of 40-50 sprays from a 100ml bottle simply evaporate into the air. We need three mechanical components in a sprayer bottle, which will reduce this wastage. These components are airless atomizers, airless pump nozzles, and pump valves. How they help reduce perfume wastage is discussed briefly in the following.

Airless atomizers: Airless atomizers use compressed air to dispense the perfume, which prevents the perfume from oxidizing. This type of atomizer is typically more expensive than other types, but it can help to extend the shelf life of your perfume.

Airless pump nozzles: Airless pump nozzles use compressed air to dispense the perfume, which prevents the perfume from oxidizing and helps to extend its shelf life. Airless pump nozzles are typically more expensive than other types of nozzles, but they are the best choice for perfumes that are prone to oxidation.

Pump valves: Pump valves use a pump to dispense the perfume. Pump valves are typically more expensive than screw-top valves and piston valves, but they are the most efficient type of valve and they produce the finest mist of perfume.

Now, let us enquire which of the perfumes of Chanel have all these three components in their bottle designs. Now, all Chanel perfumes use pump valves. So, our team have prepared a list of perfumes which have the rest of the two components installed in their bottles, i.e., airless atomizer and pump nozzle. The list is as follows:

 

1. Chanel N⁰ 5 EDP for Women

2. Chanel Gabrielle EDP for Women

3. Chanel Coco Mademoiselle EDP Intense

4. Chanel Bleu de Chanel EDP Intense for Men

5. Chanel Chance Eau Tendre EDP for Women

6. Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme for Men

7. Les Exclusifs de Chanel Coromandel for women

8. Chanel Les Exclusifs de Chanel Boy Chanel EDP (Unisex)

9. Les Exclusifs de Chanel Sycomore EDP (Unisex)

10. Chanel N⁰ 19 Poudre EDP for Women

11. Gardenia Extrait de Parfum Chanel (Unisex)

12. Les Exclusifs de Chanel Jersey Chanel for Women

So, next time you visit a Chanel store to purchase your favourite fragrance, do check for the bottle designs. Hope this blog may be helpful for your perfume shopping.

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