The quest for the perfect fragrance is often paved with mysterious ingredients and technical terms. But how about simplifying all that? Today, let's delve into the fascinating world of perfumes, focusing on a highly prized ingredient in perfumery: amber.
You're probably familiar with mineral amber, which is a fossilized resin but not used in perfumery. But are you familiar with animal amber, which gave that prominent, warm note to old perfumes? This secretion comes from the excrement of the sperm whale, which, after many years carried by the sea, gives off such a sweet and precious scent. But did you know that synthetic amber also exists?
In this article, we will compare natural amber and synthetic amber, and see how they influence the intoxicating world of perfumes.
The Essence of Amber
Have you ever wondered what makes a perfume so captivating? One of the most coveted ingredients is amber. But make no mistake, amber isn't a single essence, but rather a complex blend of scents that evoke warmth, sweetness, and often a mysteriously earthy quality. It's an accord of balsamic notes: vanilla, benzoin, and labdanum.
Natural Amber: A Millennial Treasure and an Animal Treasure
Natural amber is also a fossilized resin, the result of a transformation over millions of years. Each piece is a journey through time, carrying within it the history of the Earth. Its fragrance is just as rich and nuanced, a symphony of notes that have charmed humanity for centuries. But this is not the mineral that was once used in perfumery. In some older perfumes, ambergris, a sperm whale excrement, is still used. Except in vegan perfumes, where the amber accord is recreated using plant essences.
Synthetic amber: the science behind the scent
Faced with the cost and scarcity of natural amber, science has created an alternative: synthetic amber. These aromas, manufactured in laboratories, mimic natural amber.
Plant-based amber: another way to bring this wonderful scent
In natural perfumery, when you want that warm, amber scent, you create an accord with vanilla, labdanum, and benzoin. This results in a sweet and powerful amber fragrance.
- Vanilla : its scent is associated with warmth and relaxation. Furthermore, it is reassuring and comforting, making it helpful in cases of depression, anxiety, as well as intellectual fatigue, asthenia, and lack of self-confidence. It promotes sleep and can reduce stress.
- Rockrose : its warm fragrance associates rockrose with comfort. It has calming properties and regulates both physical and mental inflammation. Rockrose (Cistus ladaniferus) is also effective in cases of anger, irritability, and phobias. It helps with letting go and boosts self-confidence. It also rebalances the nervous system.
- Benzoin : It is valued for its relaxing physical and mental properties. Connected to the second chakra, benzoin promotes contact with emotions and fosters trust in others. With its comforting and consoling nature, it is particularly appreciated in cases of emotional shock, or chronic agitation, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
How to choose between natural and synthetic amber? Advice for consumers
Faced with so many choices, how can a perfume enthusiast decide? The choice between natural, plant-based amber and synthetic amber depends on your personal preferences and values. On one hand, there's a compound produced in a laboratory, far removed from nature, and whose interactions with the human body are never harmless. On the other, there's a product derived from nature, a beneficial blend of three components with soothing and calming properties.
As with all natural perfumery, your preference for a scent is related to the care it provides you. If you are drawn to a particular scent, you likely "need" the energetic properties of the plants associated with it.
In the case of amber, the virtuous alliance of vanilla, cistus and benzoin is suitable for you when your inner state is agitated, disturbed, whether occasionally or chronically.
Conclusion: Which amber is right for you?
At the end of this olfactory odyssey, one question remains: what type of amber resonates with your soul? Whether it's the mystical depth of natural amber or the bold modernity of synthetic amber, the choice is yours. At Aimée de Mars, we've chosen plant-based amber as our natural alternative, for a fragrance that nourishes and positively influences your emotional state.
Here are the Aimée de Mars perfumes associated with the amber scent:
- Sensual sulis
- Mystic Amethyst
- Amber Lily
- Ambre Alchemia room fragrance in stick or spray form
- Sadhana Candle
FAQs
What is the main difference between natural and synthetic amber in perfumes?
Natural amber is rare and precious, especially when it comes from the sperm whale, with its complex and rich fragrance. Its scent is exceptional, as is its price, but above all, should we be using animal excrement? Synthetic amber, created in a laboratory, attempts to imitate these aromas, but without the same depth or unique character.
Why is natural amber often more expensive than synthetic amber?
Natural amber is expensive due to its rarity. Synthetic amber, which is easier to mass-produce, is generally more affordable.
Can we really differentiate between natural and synthetic amber in a perfume?
Yes, connoisseurs can often distinguish the subtle nuances and complexity of natural amber from the synthetic version, although modern synthetics are becoming increasingly convincing.
How can I choose between a natural amber perfume and a synthetic amber perfume?
Consider your personal preferences, budget, and values, especially regarding sustainability and ethics. Test different fragrances and trust your nose – it will guide you to the scent that suits you best.
Ultimately, whether you're drawn to the timeless charm of natural amber or the bold innovation of synthetic amber, your perfect fragrance awaits. Enjoy exploring this fascinating olfactory world!