We are inspired, uplifted and rejuvenated by scents, and they have the power to be genuinely life-changing, not only for your skin or body but also for your mind and wellbeing. Fragrance and essential oils are heavily researched and increasingly important elements in many of the skin and bodycare products that are being released into the market this year.

Essential oils and aromatherapy have long been associated with aiding relaxation. Nina Simona Briazu who is a talented ‘nose’ at fragrance house Torti, says: “I always say, ‘Breath in calm and exhale worries.’ Your journey to mental wellness can begin with something as simple as a scent.”

In today’s world where overwhelm is creeping around every corner, de-stressing is one of the main ways in which scent can be helpful. Facialist and skin expert Sarah Brown says her clients book treatments with her for the results as much as the extended period of lying down and taking time out to be quiet and still. She says: “I use a frankincense essence at the beginning of treatments, which promotes calm energy and clarity, reduces anxiety and creates a positive mood. If using it at home, apply the essence to a tissue and take a quiet moment to focus on your breathing. I take 10 deep breaths, focusing on a deeper inhalation and a strong exhale to release worry or stress. If you are good at meditation, frankincense can be used alongside; honestly, the difference is incredible.”

Essential oils can be effective tools not only to de-stress but to boost relaxation (lavender), sleep (chamomile) and energy (citrus), as well as to uplift and invigorate, something luxury wellness brand Aromatherapy Associates is hoping to target with its latest offering. The Inner Light Pure Essential Oil Blend out this week, £28, features citrus lemon for an instant mood lift, peppery basil to sharpen focus, elevating bergamot to banish low energies and deliver an aromatic feel-good glow – a welcome addition to any wellbeing routine. 

But the power of fragrance isn’t limited to essential oils. Speaking at the launch of her new Covent Garden store, or as she refers to it, her ‘beauty playground’, Charlotte Tilbury said: “I’m not selling products; I’m selling feelings,” and that’s exactly what the beauty mogul is trying to encapsulate with her fragrance line that launched in April last year.

Tilbury developed a line of six perfumes – her fragrance collection of emotions (£130, 100ml each) – alongside neuroscience experts and three master perfumers. Each scent was designed to elicit emotion in collaboration with the International Flavors and Fragrance (IFF) perfumery house, which has been carrying out research for over 40 years to measure the way thousands of fragrance notes affect different people and how they shape our emotions. The final fragrance compositions are a blend of carefully selected ingredients identified to enhance Tilbury’s specifically selected emotions – love, happiness, seduction, energy, empowerment and serenity – with up to 98% of those tested* agreeing that they felt the fragrances boosted the targeted emotion/energy, particularly with the Magic Energy fragrance.

Fragrance is an increasingly important factor in skincare, too. Consultant dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite launched mood-boosting body care brand Joonbyrd earlier this year, and it’s the first clinical skincare brand to place such a focus on fragrance. All of the Joonbyrd fragrances have been designed with a specific joy factor in mind, Dr Granite explains: “For example, our ‘pink’ products (Moon Swim Hydrating Body Wash and Little Love Nourishing Body Wash) are formulated with a playful caramel latte aroma, whereas our ‘purple’ products (Violet Haze and Sunday Sofa) contain a cosy, comforting chocolatey floral fragrance.”

Fragrance was one of the most important aspects when creating the Joonbyrd range, Dr Granite says. “Fragrance plays a huge role in wellbeing, as up to 75% of our emotions are triggered by scent. Joonbyrd is all about promoting body positivity and boosting mood. We can improve our mood by helping the skin look and feel its best, but we can also impact mood through the experience of using a product, its texture, the ritual of application and, importantly, through fragrance. Having that moment of self-care or daily indulgence was incredibly important to us as a brand, and fragrance plays a big role.”

So whether you want to feel relaxed, uplifted, joyful or more energetic, fragrance or essential oils may well be the best place to start.

*Tested on 104 people over one week

Images: courtesy of brands