Professional Certificate in Ethical Perfumery
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Ethical Perfumery course at Greenwich School of Business and Finance. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Absolute #
A type of essential oil obtained through solvent extraction, rather than steam distillation. Absolutes are typically more delicate and complex in scent than essential oils.
Aldehyde #
A type of chemical compound commonly used in perfumery for its ability to enhance and amplify the scent of a fragrance. Aldehydes can have a wide range of scents, from floral and citrus to fatty and green.
Aroma chemistry #
The scientific study of the chemical components of fragrance materials and how they interact to create scent.
Base note #
The bottom layer of a fragrance, which provides staying power and depth. Base notes are often rich, warm, and heavy scents, such as musk, amber, and wood.
Blending #
The process of combining different fragrance materials to create a unique scent.
Chypre #
A type of perfume characterized by a complex, woody scent with notes of oakmoss, bergamot, and labdanum.
Citrus oils #
Essential oils derived from the rinds of citrus fruits, such as lemons, oranges, and grapefruits. Citrus oils have a bright, refreshing scent and are commonly used in perfumery.
Concrete #
A type of fragrance material obtained through solvent extraction, similar to an absolute. Concretes are typically solid at room temperature and contain waxes as well as fragrance compounds.
Coumarin #
A chemical compound with a sweet, slightly woody scent, commonly found in tonka beans. Coumarin is a popular ingredient in perfumery.
Enfleurage #
A traditional method of extracting fragrance from flowers by layering them onto a layer of fat, which absorbs the scent. The fat is then washed with alcohol to extract the fragrance.
Essential oil #
A type of fragrance material obtained through steam distillation or expression of plant material. Essential oils are highly concentrated and contain the natural scent of the plant.
Fixative #
A fragrance material used to extend the life of a perfume and help it stay on the skin. Fixatives are often heavy, resinous materials such as labdanum, benzoin, or musk.
Floral bouquet #
A type of perfume characterized by a blend of floral scents, often including rose, jasmine, and gardenia.
Fragrance family #
A classification system for perfumes based on their dominant scent notes. Common fragrance families include floral, oriental, fougère, and chypre.
Fougère #
A type of perfume characterized by a fresh, herbaceous scent with notes of lavender, geranium, and oakmoss.
Headspace technology #
A technique used in aroma chemistry to capture and analyze the scent of a material by recreating the air surrounding it in a laboratory setting.
Hesperidic materials #
Fragrance materials derived from citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and bergamots.
Maceration #
A method of extracting fragrance from plant material by soaking it in a solvent, such as alcohol or oil.
Middle note #
The middle layer of a fragrance, which provides the main body and character. Middle notes are often softer, more mellow scents, such as jasmine, ylang-ylang, and geranium.
Natural perfumery #
The practice of creating perfumes using only natural fragrance materials, such as essential oils, concretes, and absolutes.
Note #
A classification of fragrance materials based on their volatility and how they evaporate over time. The three main notes in perfumery are base, middle, and top.
Oriental #
A type of perfume characterized by a rich, warm, and exotic scent with notes of vanilla, amber, and incense.
Perfume oil #
A highly concentrated fragrance material, typically consisting of a blend of essential oils and fixatives.
Resinoid #
A type of fragrance material obtained through solvent extraction, similar to an absolute. Resinoids are typically solid at room temperature and contain fragrance compounds from resinous plant material, such as frankincense or myrrh.
Top note #
The initial layer of a fragrance, which provides the first impression. Top notes are often light, refreshing scents, such as citrus, herbs, and spices.
Volatility #
The tendency of a fragrance material to evaporate and release its scent.
Abstract #
A term used to describe a fragrance that is not easily categorized into a specific fragrance family. Abstract perfumes often contain unconventional or unexpected scent combinations.
Accord #
A specific combination of fragrance materials that create a new, unique scent when blended together.
Alcohol denat. #
A type of denatured alcohol commonly used as a solvent in perfume making.
Ambroxan #
A synthetic fragrance material with a musky, woody scent, often used as a fixative.
Animalic notes #
Scents derived from animal sources, such as musk, ambergris, and castoreum. These notes are often used in perfumery to add depth and richness to a fragrance.
Aromatic materials #
Fragrance materials with a strong, herbaceous scent, such as lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus.
Balsamic notes #
Rich, sweet, and resinous scents, such as benzoin, tolu, and peru balsams.
Blotter test #
A method of testing a perfume by applying a small amount to a blotter paper and allowing it to dry. This allows the tester to evaluate the different notes and how they evolve over time.
Botanical perfumery #
A term sometimes used interchangeably with natural perfumery, but can also refer to perfumes made with both natural and synthetic ingredients, as long as they are plant-derived.
Cetalox #
A synthetic fragrance material with a woody, musky scent, often used as a fixative.
Chirality #
A term used in aroma chemistry to describe the structural arrangement of atoms in a fragrance molecule. Some fragrance molecules can exist in two forms, known as enantiomers, which can have different scents.
Citrus notes #
Fresh, bright, and tangy scents derived from citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits.
Dilution #
The process of adding a solvent, such as alcohol or oil, to a fragrance material to reduce its concentration and make it suitable for use in perfumery.
Dry down #
The gradual evolution of a fragrance as the top and middle notes fade and the base notes become more prominent.
Enfleurage pommade #
The solid fat used in the enfleurage process to capture the scent of flowers.
Fatty notes #
Rich, creamy, and nutty scents, such as coconut, shea butter, and cocoa.
Fixative concentration #
The percentage of a fixative used in a fragrance formula, relative to the other fragrance materials.
Floral notes #
Sweet, delicate, and romantic scents derived from flowers, such as roses, jasmine, and gardenias.
Fragrance pyramid #
A visual representation of the different notes in a perfume and how they evolve over time.
Green notes #
Fresh, crisp, and slightly grassy scents, such as violet leaves, tomato leaves, and galbanum.
Herbaceous notes #
Strong, earthy scents derived from herbs,