Love is in the air – but which aroma ingredients put it there?

February is the month of romance with Valentine’s Day landing right in the middle, and a return to the dating scene for those of us who were locked away during Dry January or still counting the cost of Christmas excesses.

But what aroma ingredients are popular in perfumes and other scented products that are designed to enhance the wearer’s attractiveness?

Here are some of the most romantic aroma ingredients that have proved popular in all kinds of fragrances down the years, from aftershaves to perfumes, to unisex scents.

Musk

Musk has long been a base for men’s aftershaves but is also popular in perfumes for women, giving it universal appeal that’s bang on-trend for the 21st century.

Whether you choose a gender-specific fragrance or a unisex scent, musk imparts a distinctive odour that’s generally considered appealing at low concentrations.

It’s also good to remember that synthetic aroma chemicals offer an animal-friendly alternative to natural musk, so that removes an ethical concern from using it as a fragrance ingredient for the modern market.

Vanilla

Believe it or not, the smell many of us associate with ice cream and custard is in fact a universal aphrodisiac, and you’ll find it used in all kinds of perfumed products to enhance the libido while also reducing stress levels.

This is slightly ironic as ‘vanilla’ is also often used as a slang term for people who are unadventurous in the bedroom, but the aroma itself is anything but humdrum in that regard.

It’s been a rough few years for vanilla crops, as natural disasters have hit the already labour intensive harvest, but this perennial favourite shows no signs of losing its popularity in the near future.

Vetiver

Another V-scent for V-Day, vetiver is one for the ladies to enjoy, as for many women it is the epitome of masculinity with its woody, smoky fragrance and hints of leather that linger in the air for a long time.

Like musk, this is an aroma ingredient that can be overpowering at higher concentrations but packs a significant effect in small amounts, making it an excellent addition to men’s fragrances for a discernible impact right through to the end of date night.

Other honourable mentions go to citrus aroma ingredients and also to peppermint, all of which can awaken and invigorate the senses and get the blood pumping, placing them firmly on the libido enhancing side of olfactory seduction for Valentine’s Day fragrances and beyond.