When fragrance plays a role on our emotions, it is called aromachology.
Far from being a new trend, aromachology has gained popularity and is becoming a major player in the cosmetics industry. As stress has somewhat invaded our daily lives, beauty products are becoming a small personal luxury, for a comfort that is not to be neglected.
Aromachology and psychology
The use of aromatic plants has existed for thousands of years with their healing effect in mind. In ancient Egypt, myrrh was burned at dusk to calm anxiety and improve sleep. Similarly, in ancient Greece, saffron was used to promote a peaceful night. Hippocrates even claimed that “perfume is a remedy for bad moods”.
But it was in 1988 that the concept of aromachology was born with Dr. Shizuo Torii, who made the link between emotions and odours. He realised that scents such as lavender would reinforce the feeling of relaxation, that citrus peels would boost the senses…
These findings were soon applied to the cosmetics industry, using scents to reduce stress or anxiety, or to create pleasant sensations for example. Manufacturers around the world began to market their products on the basis of the psychological effect they could have on consumers, rather than simply on their scent. And this continues to grow as more and more research is done on the impact of scents on human behaviour and their power over the psyche.
Aromachology and aromatherapy
The major difference is that aromachology does not seek to treat or cure through fragrance. Rather, it focuses on how fragrances can impact on mood or feelings, in an environment of well-being.
Aromatherapy, on the other hand, refers more strictly to the use of natural perfumes, essential oils or plants, for therapeutic and medical purposes, to stimulate or modify the mood.
Smell influences our behaviour because the sense of smell is closely linked to the emotional part of our brain. Smells therefore trigger physiological reactions with a positive or negative response, depending on our environment, our memories and our conditioning.
Essential oils have been chosen to influence our moods. Some of them are very efficient to fight against stress and anxiety for example. Bitter orange helps to stabilise emotions, chamomile eases nervous disorders, lavender promotes relaxation… others help you fall asleep, regulate stress… You’ll quickly find what you need!
Is perfume an olfactory therapy?
Since the scientific community has become more aware of the impact of odours on the brain, laboratories have not ceased to research and study the brain’s reactions to numerous olfactory stimuli. The aim: to create fragrances that are capable of evoking a desired emotion when we smell them.
Indeed, many products are already marketed according to the sensations they provide to consumers, such as a lavender bubble bath, which is synonymous with relaxation and well-being, or a citrus gel that refreshes and awakens the mind. These types of care products are very popular, especially during times of stress.
In Denmark, the philosophy of Hygge, otherwise known as “Danish happiness”, encourages people to make themselves comfortable at home and enjoy simple things, lighting candles to enter a cocoon…
Similarly, the self-care and wellness sectors operate according to the same philosophy: they come to sell a lifestyle rather than a hygiene product.
Perfume and aromachology
Increasingly, new fragrances are being combined with elements of aromachology. Their name reflects their smell, as do the raw materials that compose them. Perfume notes are associated with a mood, an emotion, but also a personality.
The customer recognises himself in a trail, an olfactory reflection of himself! Indeed, a perfume says a lot about a person. Aromachology thus introduces another vision of perfume.
It is no longer an accessory of seduction but a resource that does us good, sometimes even without our knowledge. Aromachology contributes in this sense to our balance and joy of living.
Des Sillages synonymous with well-being
At Sillages, the range of scents is such that we can really please everyone and contribute with our olfactory balances to an absolute well-being.
We take the ingredients seriously and have selected the most beautiful raw materials from around the world. We can tell you that they have an incredible effect on our mood.
Alexandre Lee, for example, has created an explosion of citrus zest with stimulating properties! Nothing better than Sillage #7 to refresh your body and head this summer!
Amélie Jacquin has magnified a rose in a soft and clean trail. With its relaxing virtues, the rose of Sillage #10 is your best ally!
Sébastien Plan highlights the de-stressing lavender in the aromatic and intoxicating Sillage #15, within a fern accord that can only do you good.
Mylène Alran, in Sillage #114, brings a concentrate of sunny white flowers, including ylang ylang with soothing, comforting virtues.
To discover our raw materials and perfumes, we invite you to our Parisian workshops! You will be able to smell all the most beautiful ingredients of our perfume organ. You will also find our experts ready to help you via our website chat!
Do not hesitate to contact them, they are waiting for you!
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