The UK fragrance market is worth £7 billion. Although a ban on animal testing came into force a few years ago for cosmetics, some brands still test elsewhere and many cloak dodgy ingredients under the term ‘fragrance’ (including hormone disruptors and allergens – a third of people are allergic to perfume, leading to medical issues and days off work). Natural brands don’t last as long but are better for you, and affordable as you don’t pay for overpackaging and celebrities advertising designer names.
Jones & Modha No.1 (Somerset) is made with a breezy scent of citrus trees, cut leaves, woody greens and spice. Contains notes of bergamot, lemon myrtle, grapefruit and red mandarin. Middle notes of rose geranium, linden, ginger, rose, coriander and spearmint. And base notes of cedarwood.
Keep perfumes in a dark cool place and stop use if irritation occurs. Some citrus oils could cause photo-sensitivity. Avoid for pregnancy/breastfeeding and never spray near babies/pets (nor use cocoa solid perfumes in case they lick your skin). Don’t wear perfume, if pets sleep on your beds.
Choose vegan perfumes, as some brands use ambergris (whale poop), musk (a tiny Siberian deer), civet (Asian wild cat), castoreum (beavers) and hyraceum (an African guinea pig). Choose sustainable oils (esp. sandalwood, frankincense, eucalyptus) and avoid rosewood oil (endangered tree).
Haoma natural organic perfumes
Haoma Perfumes are made with organic ingredients, sold in beautiful frosted bottles. Free from synthetic fragrance molecules, the range includes lavender, myrrh & frankincense, ylang ylang, orange and No.1 (geranium patchouli, frankincense, cedarwood, palmarosa, sweet orange and thyme).
organic scent from Neal’s Yard Remedies
Neal’s Yard Remedies offers a nice organic perfume made with real ingredients. It has top notes of lime, neroli, bergamot and pink pepper, middle notes of frankincense, lavender and Spanish marjoram and base notes of patchouli, vetiver and myrrh.
inspiring scents from abroad
Wild Spirit Fragrances (New York) was born in Woodstock, and offers scents made with real essential oils. Along with samplers and mini sprays, the range includes vanilla, fresh ocean, fruity or fresh floral and spicy.
Wit & West (USA) are made with natural ingredients in Colorado. Handcrafted in small batches with organic grapeseed oil, Fleur du Riad contains neroli and orange, with a touch of jasmin, vetiver and oakmoss.
Wild Coast Perfumery (Canada) is situated on Vancouver Island. Profits help a charity that protects fur-bearing animals from harm or exploitation. Choose from a wide range of scents, made with natural ingredients.
Melis Perfumery (Australia) offers signature scents as eau de parfum spray, made with nature’s ingredients for men and women. The signature scent is made with jasmine, orange blossom, amber and clary sage.
how to dispose of old perfumes & colognes
A bit like paint, the best thing to do with perfumes and colognes is to use them up, as they are classed as flammable hazardous waste. Empty bottles can just be recycled.
