When you’ve crafted the perfect whipped butter or shampoo but the scent fades two hours after application, it’s frustrating. For both professional formulators and DIY skincare makers, ensuring long-lasting fragrance isn’t just about customer experience. It’s about product performance, brand identity, and customer loyalty.

So, what’s the secret to scent that stays? Science, strategy, and a little formulation savvy.

 

Why Fragrance Longevity Matters in Skincare and Haircare

Fragrance is more than just an afterthought in cosmetic products; it’s part of the brand signature,  however, not all products retain scent the same way:

• Oils and Butters: Tend to hold scent well, due to low water content.
• Water-Based Products: Scent evaporates more quickly, especially in high-surfactant systems.
• Haircare: Volatility is increased due to rinsing and exposure to heat (especially with blow-drying).

For beauty brands, long-lasting fragrance increases perceived product quality and value. For DIYers, it’s simply more satisfying when your creation leaves a lingering, luxurious trail.

 

What Affects Fragrance Retention in Formulations?

1. Volatility of the Fragrance Components

Fragrances are made up of top, middle, and base notes. Top notes like citrus evaporate quickly. Base notes like:

• Sandalwood Fragrance Oil
• Patchouli Essential Oil
• Vanilla
• Black Linen Amber Fragrance Oil
• Oakmoss Amber Fragrance Oil
• Black Amber and Lavender
• Leather and Cedarwood Fragrance Oil

last longer and help anchor the scent.

2. Solubility and Carrier Oils

Carrier oils and  Butters like:

• Shea Butter
• Murumuru Butter
• Cocoa Butter
• Illipe Nut Butter
• Cupuacu Butter

can slow down evaporation and act as excellent scent anchors in oil-based formulations.

Additionally, plant waxes such as:

• Candelilla Wax
• Carnauba Wax

Can help create harder, longer-lasting balms and solid perfumes.

 

3. Surfactant Systems

Shampoos, body washes, and cleansers often strip fragrance molecules.  Choosing the right surfactant with milder action helps. ( sodium lauryl sulfoacetate , Caprylyl Glucoside, foaming apple or Coco Glucoside) are great options.

 

4. Use of Fixatives

Natural fixatives slow down evaporation. Common options include:

• Benzoin Resin
• Labdanum
• Ambrettolide (not fully natural but widely accepted in clean formulations)

5. Product Packaging

Light, heat, and oxygen all degrade fragrance. Dark glass and airtight packaging can extend scent life.

 

 

How to Formulate for Long-Lasting Fragrance

1. Choose the Right Fragrance Profile, Prioritize base and middle notes:

• Vanilla
• Black Linen Amber Fragrance Oil
• Oakmoss Amber Fragrance Oil
• Black Amber and Lavender
• Leather and Cedarwood Fragrance Oil
• Sandalwood Fragrance Oil
• Patchouli Essential Oil

These oils not only smell luxurious but also naturally linger.

2. Use Butters and Waxes as Anchors

In products like balms or butters, blend fragrance oils with:

 

• Cocoa Butter
• Illipe Nut Butter
• Cupuacu Butter
• Candelilla Wax
• Carnauba Wax

These ingredients slow down fragrance evaporation by acting as fixative mediums.

3. Mind Your Surfactant Choice

If you’re formulating shampoos, body washes, or cleansers, opt for milder surfactants to minimize fragrance stripping.

4. Incorporate Natural Fixatives

Add resin-based or oil-based fixatives at the cool-down phase (below 40°C) to preserve aromatic compounds.

5. Control Application Rate and pH

Excessively alkaline or acidic environments degrade fragrance compounds. Keep skincare pH in the safe zone: 4.5–5.5.

Top Professional Formulator Tips:

• Dilute fragrance oils in carrier oils before adding to emulsions for better distribution.
• Always follow IFRA standards to ensure skin safety and regulatory compliance.
• Test scent retention over time. Real-world testing beats theory. Store products and check scent profile at 1, 7, and 30 days.

Common Mistakes Makers Should Avoid

• Using only essential oils and expecting lasting scent in water-based products.
• Ignoring the need for natural fixatives in balms and butters.
• Overloading with fragrance oils, more isn’t always better.
• Forgetting about packaging’s impact on fragrance shelf life.

Inconclusion, long-lasting fragrance in skincare and haircare is both an art and a science.

For small-batch makers and growing brands alike, understanding the chemistry behind fragrance retention ensures your products not only smell amazing but also keep customers coming back.

Explore fragrance-friendly butters, waxes, and surfactant bases at skinfoodie.com.ng.
Create your next signature product with confidence, because great scent is always worth the extra effort.