How Fragrance Can Benefit Your Mental Well-being

Whilst in aromatherapy, the aromas come just from essential oils, aromachology looks at aromas in general, including both natural and synthetic ingredients, to identify their connection to scent memory. The brain logs scents like a diary entry; each smell is registered within the memory so the next time you encounter that same scent, you may be whisked back to that initial experience, whether positive or negative.

A fragrance may remind you of a person, or an intimate embrace you exchanged where the scent lingered. Often the scent you associate with your mother, father or home environment would be one of security, nostalgia and happiness. Similarly, there is a reason why many soldiers during World War II carried handkerchiefs imbued with their loved one’s perfume: so that in the midst of chaos, they could transport themselves back to tender moments of love and affection, transcending the darkest of times. Indeed, it is moments like these that help us truly understand the power perfumes can have on our overall mental well-being.

Certain smells can provoke a collectiveresponseon account ofwidercultural and societal norms.Consider the humble lemon, an ingredient thatevokes asense of freshnessfor many,perhaps due to its ubiquitywithin household cleaning products. The same is true ofpeppermint and its association with feeling cool, clean andinvigorated, likelyowing to its omnipresence in toothpaste.

Fruity fragrances are often fun, playful, and energising in nature. Citrus fruits in particular – notably lemon, bergamot, orange and lime – can have an uplifting quality, reinvigorating your mind and your mood.Indeed, for some, fruity aromas may conjure up fond memories in the sun, or early adventures through abundant orchards, inspiring an unparalleled sense of joy and rejuvenation.

An enlivening everyday choice isAventus Cologne, a fruity yet aromatic composition that bursts with vibrant mandarin for an instant surge of vitality. Richer fruits can have similar mood-enhancing powers with succulently sweet apple, apricot, melon and peach promoting a bold, flirtatious and youthful freshness. Spring Flower, a vibrant olfactive tribute to feminine energy, perfectly illustrates this, reviving the wearer with a single spritz.

Evoking salty seas and sun-kissed shores,marine fragrances promote tranquillity and bring a sense of calm to busy minds. They tap into the subconscious scent memory and deliver a dose of nostalgia, often triggering memories of idyllic coastal escapes or peaceful seaside retreats. Also referred to as aquatic scents, marine fragrances are clean, fresh andversatile in nature, fostering a sense of calm and inner harmony.

 Creed has long been fond of this fragrance family, crafting one of the most treasured marine scents in history with Erolfa, an Eau de Parfum that encapsulates a serene sail across the Mediterranean Sea in the heat of summer. Other marine creations from The House of Creed include universally adored Millésime Impérial and a more cooling aquatic composition in Silver Mountain Water. Each scent offers an olfactive oasis to the wearer, leaving them ready to hit the reset button.

Conjuring up spring blooms and freshly cut bouquets, there is nothing that lifts the spirits quite like a flower. Each bloom of course tells its own story, but it seems that for many, white flowers are the ultimate symbol of purity and peace, not just in bouquets but infloral fragrances, too.

Blooms such as jasmine, magnolia, white iris and neroli flower have long been considered “clean” aromas that help to cleanse the mind and relieve stress. The master perfumers at The House of Creed have enriched many an olfactive offering with these heavenly notes to provide an uplifting twist. This rich concoction of clean, white florals can be found withinWhite Flowers fromLes Royales Exclusives collection, romanticFleurissimo and the latest entrancing creation for women,Queen Of Silk.

A less traditional take on this clean, white floral scent isVirgin Island Water; typically described as a fruity fragrance, this gourmand scent of the tropics also captures floral ingredients, including ylang ylang and jasmine, alongside more tropical blooms with tiare flower and herbaceous accord.

Derived from the French term for “fern”, a “fougère” fragrance is reminiscent of nature, characterised by an aromatic yet fresh composition with a dry, grassy, hay-like dry-down. Classic fougère fragrances are a masterful alchemy of lavender, oakmoss, geranium and bergamot, transporting the wearer to the great outdoors or a calming oasis in nature where they can soothe their mind and relieve anxiety. Indeed, the lavender note in particular draws out the cooling and soothing effect of these fragrances.

Discover classic fougères from The House of Creed, from contemporary classic Green Irish Tweed to its bolder offering in Viking.

It is important to note that fragrances often sit across several families, therefore one single perfume may offer multiple wellness benefits. Identify the specific notes within a fragrance and use the guide above to tap into the mood-enhancing powers that matter to you.

Once you have selected your fragrance, craft a meaningful application ritual to help create an association within your brain. For instance, if you have invested in an energising fruity fragrance, start your day with a morning spritz to awaken your mind and to help it to associate that scent with the dawn of a new day.

If you need further assistance with tailoring a well-being olfactive ritual to you, venture into your nearest boutique where a Creed ambassador would be delighted to assist you.