Why Do Perfume Smell Different on Everyone? Here’s What You Should Know

There is a saying that goes, "A perfume is like a piece of clothing, a message, a way of presenting oneself." Indeed, wearing perfume has become an important part of our daily life and is more than just making oneself smell fresh all day.

Derived from the Latin word "per fumus," which means "through smoke," the word perfume is used today to refer to described scented mixtures. It has been part of the history of mankind since the time of the ancient Egyptian and ancient Mesopotamian civilizations.

The perfume industry has grown due to the rising trend of personal grooming and health-related concerns. According to Grand View Research, the global perfume industry was valued at 50.85 billion dollars in 2022 and is expected to grow by 5.9% from 2023 to 2030. Unsurprisingly, several types of perfumes with varying scents appear in the market.

How Does Our Sense of Smell Work?

Our sense of smell has affected our lives more than we realize. Having 400 specialized smell receptors, the human nose can identify smell by collecting scent molecules while we inhale. A thin membrane in the nasal cavity absorbs these molecules. Small hairlike structures called cilia send signals to the area of the brain that processes and manages olfactory input.

Once inside the brain, the signals are processed in different regions with different functions. The brain's frontal cortex recognizes the scent itself, while the hippocampus processes the smell in the form of memory. Meanwhile, the amygdala and hypothalamus interpret them in the context of emotions. As Springer Nature confirms, this processing of odors allows us to detect over 1 trillion individual scents.

Individual Perception of Scents

Modern perfume comprises tens to hundreds of ingredients, mainly essential oils, fixatives, and solvents. According to the National Library of Medicine, the designation of fragrances is done according to concentration level, the family of scents where they belong, and the added notes in the smell.

Perfume smell changes between each person due to the chemicals in our bodies that affect the way we recognize scents. As the chemicals in our body interact with the chemicals in the perfume, a unique combination of scent recognition is created.

In research done by fragrance expert Michael Donovan, he also found that the differences in our skin can affect our perception of smell. According to Donovan, the slight difference in the skin's pH level where a perfume spray is applied will change the way the scent smells.

The Sociology of Perfume

Different psychological and demographic factors serve as reasons for wearing perfume of specific fragrances. A person's mood is also an important consideration that influences perfume choice. Men and women also have different psychological motivations for purchasing and wearing perfume. Women predominantly acquire perfumes by purchasing them for a number of reasons, such as evoking a positive impression.

Perfumes are also known to impact a person's self-esteem and optimism. Over time, a person's favorite perfume can become a reflection of his personality as well as his current state of emotion.

Check out more news and information on Perfume in Science Times.