Perfume is one of those products many of us use every day without really thinking about what is in it. We spray it onto our skin, breathe it in and often reapply it throughout the day.

From a naturopathic perspective, fragrance is an area where we think a little more awareness is worthwhile.

Conventional perfumes can contain complex mixtures of synthetic fragrance chemicals, and disclosure is not always particularly transparent. Some fragrance formulations have historically included phthalates, a group of chemicals studied for their potential endocrine disrupting effects. The research is not completely black and white, and it would be misleading to suggest that every synthetic perfume is harmful, but there is growing evidence around certain phthalates and other environmental chemicals and their relationship with reproductive hormones and endocrine health.

For us, it comes back to reducing unnecessary chemical exposure where we easily can. Perfume may seem like a small thing, but it is something we can wear and inhale for hours every day.

What is more exciting is how far natural fragrance has come.

Natural perfume is no longer the slightly earthy alternative to a beautiful traditional fragrance. New developments in biotechnology mean perfumers can now create sophisticated natural fragrance molecules from renewable sources such as plants, yeast and fungi, rather than relying on petrochemicals. Abel is a wonderful example, creating 100% natural, petrochemical free fragrances while still achieving the depth and performance we expect from fine perfume.

There is another side to fragrance that we love too. Our sense of smell has a very close relationship with emotion and memory, and research continues to explore how aromatic plant compounds may influence mood, stress and feelings of wellbeing. BODHA approaches fragrance very much through this lens, using botanical materials and creating scent around how we want to feel, whether that is grounded, restored, uplifted or calm.

So choosing natural fragrance isn’t simply about what we are trying to avoid.

It is about choosing beautiful ingredients, greater transparency and a more considered relationship with something we put on our bodies every day.

And thankfully, we no longer have to compromise on smelling incredible to do it.