Molecular perfumery isn’t a new concept, any niche fragrance connoisseur out there will have heard of it. A modern trend that pushes the boundaries of what we know and understand fragrance to be, when it first came to light this development meant the perfume world had something different to talk about after so many years of the same

And in true innovative fashion, the molecular era is taking a step further again into the advance of green chemistry, and it’s a bright future ahead

Changing the rules of scent science, molecules have turned the fragrance industry on its head and gained a strong following in the process. When the concept first appeared, it was an exciting shift from the classic ingredients everyone already knew, to stripped back and minimal concoctions

It’s an interesting contrast too; modern science taking a naked approach. Harking back to the early days when our ancestors were tuned in to the effects of pheromones and scent. The two have always been intrinsically linked, and by using chemistry to peel back the layers, molecular perfumery takes fragrance back to its roots. A basic idea, with an exciting contemporary result

So how does it work? Using odourless molecules like ISO E Super and Ambroxan, molecular fragrances form a chemical reaction with the wearer’s skin, therefore determining the resulting aroma. It’s your ultimate signature scent. A fragrant fingerprint unique to you

Produced synthetically in a lab, these aromatic tidbits have a greater longevity, but are also more subtle. Gone is the need for relying on stronger ingredients like cedarwood to last longer on the skin. And wearers have also found an aphrodisiac-like quality to these understated scents too

Once the novelty of new perfume technology wore off, it left a strong appreciation amongst fragrance lovers for molecular fumes…but the consumer is fickle. The pandemic has no doubt contributed to the rising need for eco-friendly and non-toxic, and now we’re riding the wave of green chemistry into the future

Consumers love the idea of molecule fragrance, but they’re already searching for ways to reduce their impact on the planet. Asking questions like, ‘Do I want to be putting synthetically produced chemicals onto my skin?’ and ‘Where does this ingredient even come from?’ have laid a greener path to molecular perfumery

And we’re not talking about upcycling (although you can find our piece about that here). We’re talking about using by-products from other industries like paper and orange juice, to create sustainable and renewable, albeit synthetic, ingredients. By maintaining a specific set of principles, green chemistry companies are targeting the entire chemical process with a view to eliminating the more sensitive materials, and dramatically reducing waste in the process. If that doesn’t smack of post-pandemic mindset, we don’t know what does

Taking advantage of this new science are scents like Genetic Bliss by 2787 Perfumes and Iso Gamma Super by Ellis Brooklyn. Already out in the world waiting to be discovered, now you can whiff your own fragrance fingerprint secure in the knowledge it’s non-toxic and friendly to the planet