Consumers turn to fragrances for comfort during unsure times

Do scents influence how we feel? Do we gravitate toward specific fragrances depending on our mood? According to, An experience consumers want to make their own, an article in the July/August issue of GCI Magazine and the personal care product magic eight-ball, all signs point to yes.

More than a smell: The fragrance-consumer connection
The article explores the emotion-laden relationship between consumers and particular fragrances. Author Abby Penning takes readers behind the aromatic scenes of the personal care industry, revealing that current fragrance trends are reflective of societal happenings.

An ongoing transformation
It seems our favorite smelling products have undergone a softening effect, moving from bold chypre based scents to softer comfort driven fragrances recently. Why has this shift happened? Fragrance execs say it's all about the comfort level of the customer.

Scents (Warm + Comforting) = Safe Environment for Consumers
Given the unsteady economic climate in the U.S. people are searching for security in every aspect of their lives, even in perfumed cosmetics and other personal care products.

For instance, the article explains how sweet, fruit based scents work to hook consumers in, and then envelop the senses with a wave of comforting familiarity, perhaps a creamy vanilla aroma. Oriental essences are also commonly used to establish well-being within the user, a sense of calm away from the sometimes turbulent aspects of reality.

We've covered vanilla and oriental scents, both distinctly from the feminine family of notes. So, what exactly is this fragrance evolution, a dramatic mood swing? Hold on don't blame the ladies just yet; the fellas have changed their tune as well. Colognes typically characterized by dark woody notes are lightening things up with leather scents accompanied with floral traces. Like the more feminine products, these fragrances instill a sense of tranquility and peace into a hectic lifestyle.

Inspire with lively scents
On the other end of the experience spectrum, fragrances are also revealing fresh and fun scented products. These aromas capture the beauty of adventure and a playful sense of mania while also promising that bold ambitions are achievable, even against a bleak backdrop.

How fragrance can help your product
Day to day living is stressful when there's instability in so many areas of the world. Today people are responding to the warm, comforting and escapist hues in fragrances and aromatic personal care products. When shopping for these products consumers are looking for a retreat from reality. Take them away from tumultuous times and provide a practical yet uplifting day dream in a bottle.

I use Moonlight Path lotion every night as I get into bed. The scent of lavender and violet settles my mind and prepares me for sleep. Do you have any fragrance based traditions? Share them with us in the comments!