Natural or synthetic?
As most people in touch with the environment and close to nature, we have an affinity to raw materials. There are, however, advantages to using synthetic products in perfumery. They allow the manufacture of stable and consistent fragrances that better resist damage caused by UV rays, oxygen and temperature variations -light, air and heat denature, discolor and oxidize perfume. Natural products, while truly wonderful, often lack stability and have a tendency to degenerate faster. An issue specific to perfumery involves the replication of a scent year after year. Suppliers of raw materials change, which means seeking alternate sources of often diverging quality. Also, one same supplier’s raw materials can vary in color and smell with each harvest, depending on the amount of sun, precipitation and temperature fluctuations.
Consumers are familiar with their favorite fragrance, and will notice any changes that result from the use of different raw materials. By using synthetic products and not just natural essences, perfumers can better control their formulation and its outcome. Consistence and quality are both essential, and a perfect balance of natural essences and man-made products is therefore used to produce our fine fragrances. Lentisque, Feuille de Réglisse and Lierre Rose are almost entirely natural, built with concretes, absolutes and essential oils, and using the minimum amount of synthetic products required to ensure stability. Designing these fragrances was an exercise in style for Perfumer Jacques Chabert.
Tags: people environment fragrances denature change harvest