The fragrance industry is heavily influenced by trends that determine launches and consumer choices. Scentmate uses various tools and data to detect these trends, highlighting the connection to nature as a top trend in 2023. The most sought-after ingredients include notes related to the forest and the "clean skin effect".
It is anticipated that the fragrances of the future will not only be pleasant, but will also have demonstrable mood benefits. The demand for unisex fragrances transcends gender categorisations, and sustainability is addressed from manufacturing to waste reuse. In addition, the industry is focusing on fragrances that promote emotional and physical well-being, incorporating technologies such as Emotions fragrances.
To find out which trends will be the future, we interviewed Adrian Argente, who took part in the last Beauty Trend Summit and talked to us about trends, the future and perfumery.
- How influence the trends in the perfumery?
Trends are able to determine what brands launch and, therefore, what consumers will end up buying. A trend is alive and evolving, and over the life of a trend we may see growth in trend, stability and decline in product launches following that trend. Sometimes, a trend can become a "permanent part of the market" or a prerequisite.
- How detects the trends Scentmate? How important is innovation in trend spotting?
We try to use as many tools as possible and calibrate that data with our experience. We use both data providers and consumer trend providers, which we then translate into scent trends, analyse online, retail and track new product launches. In addition, we use our knowledge and experience to find out where these trends are heading and how to anticipate them.
- Which ingredients or aromatic notes are most in demand by consumers today?
The tendencies of perfumery are very atomizadas, since there is a big number of launchings during the year. Nevertheless, all the related with the connection with the nature, the forest, the open spaces and the mental peace that award us is reflecting in the perfumery, with perfumes more balanced and full of meaning.
- Which ingredients or aromatic notes are being more requested by the consumers in the actuality?
As I mentioned earlier, those related to the forest: moss, wood, leaves.... But also the scent of wet earth, mushrooms or the forest canopy, which bring novelty to the more traditional ingredients. Also everything that reminds us of the "clean skin effect" is in great demand: very balanced perfumes thanks to musks and ambers that give us a feeling of care, of perfumed skin without great stridency.
- What are the trends of the future, what technological developments are expected in the perfume industry and how might they influence the creation of fragrances?
One of the big tendencies is the impact that the perfumes have in our state of spirit. The consumers want that the perfumes have profits added and in addition to smelling, help them improving the been spirit, relaxing them, etc. The perfumes that are able to show scientifically a positive effect will have an important gap in the market.
- Are there specific trends in the formulation of perfumes for different seasons or climates?
We are really in a time of creative freedom when it comes to perfumes, so there are no rules for one time of the year or climate. However, there is still a preference for more citrus and fresh notes in summer, and more ambery or woody notes in winter.
- In your report spoke on the scents 'unisex'… observes a greater demand of scents unisex or customised in the current market?
Today, the number of unisex or genderless product launches is greater than those fragrances labelled "for women" or "for men". Less and less we associate olfactory notes with a particular gender or "human" characteristics. My advice is: if you like a perfume, wear it no matter who it is intended for, olfactory notes have no gender.
- In your presentation you talked about 'unisex' fragrances... Is there an increased demand for unisex or personalised fragrances in today's market?
There are different angles and they try to improve the impact we have on the planet. From the manufacturing of the perfume, the sourcing of the raw materials, the impact they have on the environment afterwards, etc. For example, at Scentmate by dsm-firmenich, we have zero carbon footprint ingredients or supra-recycled ingredients, which use the waste generated by other industries to obtain high quality essential oils and give them a second life.
- Are there emerging trends in perfumery related to health and wellbeing, such as the inclusion of ingredients that promote emotional or physical wellbeing?
Absolutely yes. As I mentioned before, fragrances are able to have a positive impact on consumers' mental health and well-being. Thanks to our Emotions fragrance technology, we have fragrances that are scientifically proven to have a relaxing, uplifting or concentration-enhancing effect. It's really a market need that is starting to be filled right now.