5 surprising fragrance facts from the IFRA UK forum

By Julia Wray | Published: 20-Oct-2023
Fragrance

2023’s IFRA UK Fragrance Forum focused on ‘the science and creativity of olfaction and memory’

You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.

The British fragrance industry was treated to scientific and creative presentations on the theme of smell and memory at the 2023 IFRA UK Fragrance Forum, which took place yesterday in London. 

Hosted by the UK branch of the International Fragrance Association, talks discussed in-depth how we scent, experience and remember different aromas. 

So here are five facts from the day, which you may not have known about smell, fragrance and the human memory:

1.   There is no olfactory ‘code’

5 surprising fragrance facts from the IFRA UK forum
In a presentation exploring the science of the olfactory system, Dr Stewart Firestein from the Department of Biological Sciences at Columbia University, US, explained that, unlike sight – for which there is a clear neurological pattern coding what we see – there is no olfactory code. 

Or, at least, what begins as a clear code produced by every odour is eventually muddled in the brain.

Not yet a Subscriber?

This is a small extract of the full article which is available ONLY to premium content subscribers. Click below to get premium content on Cosmetics Business.

Subscribe now Already a subscriber? Sign in here.
  • Companies:
  • International Fragrance Association
See more

You may also like

You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Ingredients

Climate change is hitting fragrance ingredients. How are perfumers responding?

Read more
Climate change is one of many factors affecting the availability of both natural and synthetic fragrance materials

Trending Articles

  1. Lacoste and Cavalli licence deals drive Inter Parfums Q1 sales jump Inter Parfums secured its licence deals with Lacoste and Roberto Cavalli in 2022 and 2023 respectively
  2. CPL Aromas opens 'most sustainable factory to date' in Malaysia The new space in the country’s Pulau Indah region has been designed to minimise environmental impact and reduce carbon footprint
  3. Burberry taps Emma Mackey as face of new Goddess fragrance The Sex Education and Barbie star follows the likes of Adam Driver and Lily James as the Coty-licensed brand’s newest ambassador
  4. Cosmetics Business Picks: 7 beauty launches to pick up this week Cosmetics Business takes a look at seven beauty launches that have caught our eye this week, including a look at Weleda’s new Firming Face Care range
  5. Cosmetics Business reveals the top 5 beauty collaborations trends of 2023 in new report Beauty collaborations have surged over the past year, with brands finding fresh ways to take their partnerships beyond the expected

Upcoming event

China Beauty Expo

22-24 May | Shanghai, China See all

You may also like

You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Ingredients

Climate change is hitting fragrance ingredients. How are perfumers responding?

Climate change is one of many factors affecting the availability of both natural and synthetic fragrance materials
You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Fragrance

Scent in the time of Covid: How can fragrance makers improve consumer wellbeing?

IFRA UK recently launched a working group to improve lives through fragrance – then the pandemic hit. With the link between scent and wellbeing more highlighted than ever, IFRA UK Director Lisa Hipgrave tells Cosmetics Business how fragrance industry stakeholders can help
You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Fragrance

Structuring scent: What is a fragrance pyramid?

IFRA UK's Eliza Douglas breaks down the classic fragrance pyramid, but notes that scent composition is more complicated than just a three tier system
Ingredients

Nearly 100 fragrance and flavour companies sign Sustainability Charter

IFRA and IOFI’s voluntary framework takes a lifecycle-based approach to five key areas
You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Fragrance

IFRA UK Fragrance Forum 2019: the rise of the machines

Artificial intelligence is opening up new opportunities in fragrance creation, and both current and potential future uses for tech in perfumery were addressed during the IFRA UK Fragrance Forum 2019
You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Fragrance

Fragrance can significantly boost the value of a consumer product, finds study

Sector is responsible for up to €72bn in value added for 25 consumer product categories.
You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Ingredients

Thought provoking fragrance: IFRA Forum tackles wellbeing and mental health

This year’s IFRA UK Fragrance Forum brought together the sciences, arts and inspirational voices to discuss the undiscovered power of scent outside its traditional realms.
Subscribe now