Why Perfume & Skin Chemistry Truly Matters

One of the first and foremost things that any fragrance newbie learns when they begin their journey is that perfume does not smell the same on everyone. The same perfume can smell completely different on someone depending on their distinct skin chemistry. In fact, it is entirely possible for a certain scent to smell slightly different on you over time as your skin chemistry changes with age, lifestyle, and diet.

Why does skin chemistry affect perfumes?

Our body reacts to the notes and accords of a fragrance, whether we like it or not. You may have sniffed a perfume and loved it, but it is crucial that you apply it to your skin and let the scent develop before you make the investment.

A complex organ, our skin consists of water, fat, salts, sugars, proteins, fibers, and hairs. Moreover, everyone’s skin boasts a different composition. Hence, perfumes perform differently from person to person. Our surrounding atmosphere and temperature also play into how our skin chemistry reacts with a fragrance on any given day.

Pheromones and perfume

The secretion of pheromones in the body’s erogenous areas often determines how a perfume reacts with the body chemistry. The natural, unique scent of every person can be attributed to their pheromones. So, in theory, you can imagine the process of applying a new perfume as layering a scent over your body’s natural scent. They can prove to be highly compatible, or you may find that they clash horribly.

Can sweat affect perfumes?

All bodily fluids have the power to affect our skin chemistry intimately. Sweat and perspiration often come up in the conversation surrounding body chemistry and perfume. Usually, the amount of sweat secreted by the body is dependent on diet, weather, and physical activity. As sweat mingles with the perfume, there is a reaction, which can highlight and suppress certain notes and accords, thus creating a unique scent that is personal to your body chemistry. Citrus and green notes tend to become amplified when combined with sweat as they gain greater depth.

Diet and lifestyle

This may come as a shock, but one’s diet and lifestyle have a major role to play in determining skin chemistry. Depending on the foods you consume the most and the amount of physical activity you are subjected to every day, your natural scent can differ over time. This is because diet and lifestyle have the power to alter the core chemical makeup of the body, which will then determine how a particular scent performs.

Is skin texture/type important?

The texture or type of your skin cannot change how a perfume smells on you, but it can determine the performance or longevity of a scent. Perfumes cling better to well-moisturised or oily skin.

It is difficult for fragrance molecules to adhere to dry skin because of the lack of oil or moisture. As a result, they are not absorbed and evaporate quickly. If you have dry skin, it’s a good idea to apply a lotion before you apply your perfume. This is also known as a form of perfume layering.

Unfortunately, perfume skin allergies can complicate your fragrance layering journey. Learn more about this topic to stay informed and know what to avoid.

The reaction of perfumes with skin chemistry is certainly a fascinating subject. However, if you do not want to be caught up in the intricacies, simply keep in mind that you should test a fragrance on your skin and experience its cycle when your body is at its most regular state.