Can your fragrance make you feel better? Everything you need to know about functional fragrances

A few spritzes to a good mood!

Jun 28, 2024 | by Mitali Shah

What do you do on days you feel down and sluggish? When getting out of bed seems impossible but you have to get through your three-kilometre-long task list? We've all been there—burnt out and exhausted, in desperate need of a day at the spa. But alas, it's not always possible to take a break from the chaos in the world and transport yourself to a realm of relaxation. Don't worry though, we know what will help, and we know the next best thing—functional fragrances.

It's no secret that our olfactory senses have the power to influence our mood and even bring certain memories to the forefront. In fact, some studies show how our sense of smell can cue the emotional aspects of our autobiographical memory. In other words, a pleasant and calming scent can momentarily break through those walls of stress and rid you of your anxiety by triggering the release of feel-good neurochemicals. And this is exactly what functional fragrances do. They go above and beyond merely smelling nice and use specific ingredients to influence your mood and elicit certain feelings.

We aren't just saying these things out of experience. Various studies are being done on functional fragrances as they assume a top role in the wellness universe. For instance, a new study carried out by fragrance and flavours producer, Symrise, found that fragrances that aid in relieving stress usually have notes of vanilla, earthy ginger, or tonka bean. They came to this conclusion by tracking the responses of 78 people of varying ages. Other studies have also concluded that while the sweet notes of vanilla are linked to the feeling of calmness, citrusy scents can help invigorate or revive your mind if you're feeling fatigued and woody accords can instil feelings of relaxation.

The functional fragrance industry is still growing. While some brands are dabbling in creating these, others aren't looking at fragrances with this intention. But hopefully, this is where the wellness industry is headed. Until we get there, here are a few functional fragrances you can invest in for the days you need an extra zeal to get through the day.

Clinique Happy Perfume Spray, ₹9,999/ 100 ml

Top Notes: Ruby red grapefruit
Heart Notes: Bergamot
Base Notes: Hawaiian wedding flower and spring mimosa

Yves Saint Laurent Libre Le Parfum, ₹12,500/ 90ml

Top Notes: Ginger, saffron, mandarin orange, and bergamot
Heart Notes: Orange blossom and lavender
Base Notes: Bourbon vanilla, honey, tonka bean, and vetiver

Prada Infusion D'Iris Eau De Parfum, ₹11,800/ 100ml

Top Notes: Citrus floral, Italian mandarin, and tunisian
Heart Notes: Neroli, lentisk, galbanum, orris, and woody
Base Notes: Ambery, cedarwood, benzoin, and incense

Estee Lauder Blushing Sandsedp Refillable Eau De Parfum, ₹17,500/ 100ml

Top Notes: Haitian vetiver
Heart Notes: Pink pepper
Base Notes: Musk

Kayali Vanilla 28 Eau De Parfum, ₹11,350/ 100ml

Top Notes: Jasmine and madagascan vanilla orchid
Heart Notes: Brazilian tonka
Base Notes: Musk, amber, patchouli, and brown sugar

Hermes Twilly Eau Ginger Eau De Parfum, ₹12,650/ 85ml