The new functional fragrances may bring joy or summon sleep - it's just a spritz away

Functional fragrance and beauty: what's the deal?

Fashion may have tinkered with dopamine dressing, and we have visited Dopamine Land, but the real change-maker has to be the beauty industry. It has science-backed formulas that can really work at making your mood brighter or send you to the land of nod – whatever floats your wellness boat.

Things like 'functional fragrances' are leading the way in the mind-body-happiness axis and have been a growing presence. We are looking at fragrances from a wellness perspective – instead of what looks good from a shelfie POV – brands are committing to helping us feel more confident, happier, or relaxed by investing vast amounts of time, money and research.

International Flavors & Fragrances has set up divisions devoted to this, and companies like Givaudan have made some of the best spritzes known to woman and man – think Klein, Ford, Van Cleef, and Ricci et al – and are now merging luxury fragrances with feel-good intentions. One example is DreamScentz, a patent-pending technology to design fragrances that will optimise sleep quality based on their understanding of the link between scent, positive mood states and good sleep.

The brand states: 'We are developing a new range of solutions, with the possibility for tailor-made options too, which create a calm atmosphere, relax the mind and body and help you sleep better and for longer – so you can wake up feeling relaxed, revitalised and refreshed.'

And who doesn't want that? Research shows that around 50% of us don't feel like we've had the best eight-hour slumber – so if they get it right, it will be a winning formula.

Of course, this is not entirely new; we already know from research that linalool, the component found in lavender essential oil, may help to ease some stress and anxiety.

But organisations like Givaudan are now going one step further by designing complex fragrances covering different olfactive directions to create the perfect night's sleep – all backed by what they say is 'solid science' and 'consumer validation'.

There's plenty of tech involved too. For example, Givaudan just announced the acquisition of Myrissi, described as 'a patented AI technology that's able to translate fragrances into colour patterns and images and predicts the emotional response of the end consumer.' In a statement, Givaudan says: 'The Myrissi algorithm, with 35 years in neuroscience, deepens the understanding of consumers' emotional mechanisms. This unique capability, resulting from a decade of academic research in brain imagery and AI, decodes the spontaneous olfactory connection with colour, modelled based on a database of more than 25,000 consumer tests.' So expect to live life in full colour with a hue-olfactory journey at a counter or e-commerce platform near you.

Jules Miller and Charlie Gower from The Nue Co were one of the first to launch a functional fragrance, with over 500 rave reviews. They explain how it works: 'Smelling a certain scent or fragrance is one of the fastest ways to impact how we feel emotionally. This is because our sense of smell has a direct connection to the three most important areas of the brain: the orbitofrontal cortex, which signifies awareness; the hippocampus, which is linked to memory; and the amygdala, which helps us categorise different smells in our mind, and is directly associated with our emotions and mood. Functional fragrance uses olfactory technology believed to help boost your mood.'

The functional fragrances to buy are here, waiting for you to add them to your morning routine, like an aromatic face spritz to perk up a tired visage or a spritz of something to boost mood, clear the mind and unwind or reset the energy in your home. At the moment, it won't replace physician-led programmes or prescriptions, but if it gives you the boost you need now, and you smell great, where's the harm?

For you

​The Nue Co Functional Fragrance

The Nue Co used research from the University of Geneva's Brain & Behaviour Laboratory to create this grounding scent cocktail, and 96% of testers reported they felt calmer within 30 minutes of the first spritz.

The Nu Co Functional Fragrance, £80 –buy here

Veronique Gabai AROMA range

Gabai employs an in-house aromatherapy doctor to ensure the blends not only smell delightful but also work on the inside too. As a result, the brand suggests it can enhance emotional engagement by 58%.

Veronique Gabai AROMA range, £150 – buy here

Abel Pause

A fragrance for women who need support during the 'pause. This has been designed using the principles of aromatherapy to support hormonal harmony. It features mood-stabilising violet leaf, mimosa for balance, and narcissus and hay offering a sense of tranquillity.

Abel Pause, £100 – buy here

​Edeniste Happiness Lifeboost

Dr Gabriel Lepousez, a neuroscientist, collaborated with Edeniste to support the launch of their collection of mood-boosting scents. He says, 'The aim is to turn perfume into a way to experience aesthetic pleasure, but also to enhance your mood and guide your internal state.' So try altering your state with one of their stylish spritzes available at Harrods.

Edeniste Happiness Lifeboost, £68 – buy here

ARgENTUM

"The ARgENTUM store in Notting Hill is worth a visit. I have a soft spot for their Parfums Infinis. A tarot reader chose the explorer one for me, and it is the most extraodinary perfume I have ever had. It is created without chemical solvents and alcohol agents, and it has the most wonderful scent, I can’t recommend enough."- Eleonore Dresch, editor-in-chief

ARgENTUM Explorer, £228- Buy here

For the home

NEOM

An intricate blend of white neroli, mimosa and lemon essential oils to balance emotions and spark positivity in any room of the house.

Happiness Reed Diffuser, £41- Buy here

Boy Smells

Japanese cypress and jasmine with cardamom and moss make perfect olfactory ‘soundtrack’ to moments of self-care. One strike of a match will conjure a sense of calm to aid your relaxation.

Boy Smells HINOKI FANTOME candle, £44- Buy here

Earl of East

Taking its name from the Japanese word for 'awakening', this shower spray was created to instil your morning routine with an energising scent.

Earl of East's Japanese Bathing Ritual Mezame Shower Spray, £24 - Buy here

Bamford

A blend of essential oils to prepare the mind and body for a deep rest.

B- Silent Pillow Mist, £20- Buy here