The best part is that functional doesn’t have to mean boring, plain or unattractive. The rise in functional décor that is also visually appealing is proof of this. As is the athleisure trend that lets us dress with a dual purpose. With scents making such a big impact on us and our environment, it makes sense that fragrances are mimicking this trend – and functional fragrances are a great way to embrace the idea of dual-purpose living.
Why are wellness fragrances trending?
With more people than ever working from home, feelings of isolation and aloneness are becoming increasingly prevalent. We’re going out less, and for many, the home and workspace have become one, making it difficult to unwind and detach from the stress of our jobs.
Wellness fragrances are in the limelight because they do so much more than just make our spaces smell better. They’re able to relax us, boost mental acuity, improve our happiness, help with a variety of illnesses, and even help us gain insight into our own lives as they perfume our surroundings.
Essential oils vs fragrance oils
As you start exploring the world of functional fragrance, it’s very important that you understand that essential oils are not the same thing as fragrance oils.
Fragrance oils are synthetically manufactured and have no therapeutic value whatsoever. They’ve been designed to smell good only and are usually cheap because they’re mass-produced and chemically generated.
Essential oils, on the other hand, are derived from the leaves, bark, stems, petals and even the seeds of certain plants. They’re thus subject to seasonal or regional variation, and you may notice slight differences in scent between batches or brands.
They’re a finite resource and are more expensive to produce than their fragrance counterparts. But they serve multiple purposes, and they’re much better for us and the planet in the long run.
Benefiting from wellness fragrances
Once you know more about using essential oils as functional fragrances, you’ll want to find ways to incorporate them into your daiy life.
You can use them to create your own unique perfume, scent your bath, mix up a massage oil to treat particular problems, and make one-off creams, hand washes and lotions.
Putting them in a diffuser and allowing the scent to diffuse into your surroundings is another excellent option for reaping the benefits of wellness fragrances.
Scientists agree: functional fragrances have multiple benefits
Researchers have discovered the reasons why wearing our favourite perfumes, using diffusers with specific fragrances and indulging in aromatherapy baths make us feel so good. In short, scent has the power to alter, manipulate and improve our mood and state of mind. They can also affect our bodies physically, like reducing inflammation and promoting healing, and affect our environment, such as killing germs and repelling pests.
Studies have revealed the therapeutic effects of essential oils in many different cases. Essential oils trigger reactions in our limbic system, the section of the brain which handles our behavioural and emotional responses. This is where we process emotions, feelings, memory and moods. Scents can conjure up memories attached to emotions, causing us to relive those feelings.
This is one of the many reasons why the functional fragrance industry is enjoying massive popularity across the globe. There’s a push towards perfumes that make us feel as good as they make us smell!
Wellness fragrances that boost your mood
When you use functional fragrances made from essential oils, it’s important that you choose the right one and know what it can do for you emotionally.
Anxiety-be-gone bergamot
Bergamot essential oil can be used to reduce anxiety. Sourced from the peel of Citrus bergamia, studies have shown that it can lower stress levels and promote relaxation. In 2017, it was found that people who inhaled bergamot essential oil for just 15 minutes reported more positive feelings than those who did not.
Bergamot oil works best when diffused or inhaled directly, but it can also be applied topically once it’s been properly diluted with a carrier oil. Just remember that it’s photosensitive and can cause you to have a reaction when exposed to sunlight.
Creating a functional fragrance with bergamot essential oil is an excellent idea for people who suffer from anxiety.
Less stress lavender
Lavender is another essential oil that can help anxious people reduce their stress levels. A study in 2013 found that participants using a 3% lavender spray on their clothing showed a marked reduction in workplace stress.
Lavender essential oil’s aromatic, floral scent makes it a good choice as a wellness fragrance, and you can use it in your diffuser, on your skin or in combination with other products like hand lotions and body creams.
Mood lifting lemon
Sourced from the leaves of the plant, lemon essential oil is anxiety-reducing and a sedative. It lifts our moods naturally and lowers stress levels, and studies have shown that it has a marked effect on the dopamine levels in mice, as well.
In 2005, research revealed that using lemon oil enhanced students’ attention levels, cognitive performance and mood, so making a functional fragrance with this essential oil is ideal for students.
