Ever spritzed your favorite scent and immediately been transported to another time, prompting a flood of feelings? You are not alone, research shows that a hugely significant 70% of our emotions are prompted by scent.
If you’re keen to uncover the link between fragrance and feelings, read on as we debrief all you need to know about mood-boosting aromas, the best scents to shop by benefit and the best fragranced body care for your bathroom cabinet (and your brain).
Fragrance And Physiology
To deep-dive into why perfumes make us feel, we first need a brief refresher on physiology.
Our sense of smell is directly linked to the limbic system in our brain, the area that processes our emotions (the amygdala) and memories (the hippocampus). Our olfactory system is unique in this way - our other senses are processed in different areas of the brain that are more focused on cognitive functions (i.e. literacy, reasoning, or mental arithmetic), which explains why a smell can trigger an emotional response more instantly than our other senses.
There have been many studies concluding that the positive impact of fragrance is largely linked to memory and past experience, and that how scents affect us can often be driven by “associate learning” - that is how a certain event comes to be linked to another (e.g. the smell of a familiar scent lulling you to sleep).
This knowledge goes some way to explaining why gourmand scents are increasingly popular, generally people have an overwhelmingly positive response to food, and therefore foodie fragrances can elicit enjoyable memories with comforting, nostalgic qualities.
The Power Of Fragrance - How Scents Can Change Your Mood
There is a strong link between fragrance and memory, but what is less commonly covered is that there is emerging evidence that specific scents (and not just your association with them) can directly affect your brain function.
A recent study found that there was little discernible difference between mood changes when smelling a “familiar” or “new” scent, suggesting that the scent itself (and not the memory of the scent) can also have an impact on our mental state.
This is further supported by initial studies suggesting that specific scents affect your brain. For instance, recently published papers have found that exposure to rosemary can enhance memory quality, and that the scent of oranges can reduce anxiety and improve mood. As such, it stands to reason that there are psychological and even functional effects for many (if not all) fragrances.
So, now we know why and how scents stir our senses, you’re probably wondering how you incorporate this into everyday life. Don’t worry, we’ve got a scent cheat sheet coming right up.
Mood Boosting Fragrances
To lift your spirits, the below energizing scents have positivity superpowers:
Caramel: Prioritizes pleasure
Guaiacwood: Inspires optimism
Coconut: Boosts imagination
Jasmine: Drives JOY
Orange: Inspires positivity
Coffee: Enhances energy
Rose: Enhances confidence
Star Anise: Promotes energy
White Lily: Uplifts spirit and soul
Stress Soothing Scents
To soothe stress and ensure relaxation, these calming fragrances are the best fix:
Amber: Promotes thoughtfulness
Cashmere Musk: Calms and comforts
Cherry: Aids relaxation
Chocolate: Creates comfort
Peony: Calms and centers
Sandalwood: Alleviates anxiety
Brown Sugar: Creates comfort
The Best Fragrance Body Care
Our founder, Dr Alexis, specifically focused on gourmand fragrances for our body and hand care collection: combining notes of nostalgia and comfort, cut through with a sometimes unexpected, elevated twist - an olfactory dessert, designed to satisfy your body’s cravings.
But as well as evoking positive memories, each scent is designed to boost your mood. We’ve broken down the benefits of our luxury fragrances below:
When you need an energy boost: Start each day with MOON SWIM Hydrating Body Wash and LITTLE LOVE Nourishing Body Lotion’s uplifting caramel latte fragrance imbued with milky vanilla, maple syrup, caramel and roasted coffee bean. These are undoubtedly the best fragranced body lotion and body wash to start your day.
When you need calm and clarity: Invite a sense of ease into your self-care routine with VIOLET HAZE Polishing Body Scrub and SUNDAY SOFA Rejuvenating Body Butter’s notes of vanilla, creamy chocolate and cardamom.
When you need a JOY injection: Sweep on a daily hit of pleasure with DAYDREAMER Firming Body Serum’s sweet, musky, caramel scent.
When you need a dash of comfort: Create a moment of calm with CONFETTI SKY Multitasking Hand Treatment’s chocolate and coconut fragrance.
When you need to power-up your positivity: Lean into optimism with PALM WILD Replenishing Hand Wash and WONDER•LAND Fortifying Hand Lotion’s spiced brown sugar and orange aromas.
When you need to hold onto some hope: Inhale KALEIDOSCOPE Smoothing Body Serum’s summer fruit and delicate floral fragrance, featuring notes of cherry, raspberry, peony and jasmine.