‣ industry organisation , have launched a joint sustainability initiative that has been years in the making , but whose time is here and now . This is an important opportunity to highlight our commitment to greener sourcing and production , employee well-being and economic sustainability .
Supporting well-being
COVID-19 and the need for social distancing have also resulted in isolation . The basic need to ‘ touch ’ others is an emotional requirement and the lack of tactile affection can be linked to stress , depression , loneliness and anxiety . There has been a growing interest and research in the area of mental health , well-being and the sense of smell . In fact , our sense of smell has long been associated with our well-being and using fragrance to create a sense of ambience and contentedness to enhance how we feel can really help . The way our brains are configured means that smell plays an important role in our lives , one that we may not be aware of . The olfactory cortex is located in the temporal lobe of the brain , which processes all kinds of sensory input . It is also part of the limbic system , which is made up of the amygdala , the hippocampus and the hypothalamus .
It is the amygdala that is linked to our emotional responses and memories ; that is why the sense of smell can be so evocative , often bringing back memories and emotions . Our sense of smell is unique and individual to us ; our response to odours can trigger different emotional responses . While some are still in lockdown , the use of fragrance can help our emotional well-being , transporting us back to a time , place or person that hold happy memories . Equally , as we come out of lockdown , fragrance will help us feel good about ourselves and feel confident in the adapting world , reminding us of our strength and ability to overcome adversity .
Looking to the future
In many ways , the fragrance industry is set to come out of lockdown healthier and stronger in the long term . Many people who are affected by COVID-19 temporarily lose their sense of smell . Those who recover it will be able to rejoice in the scent of fragrance . In fact fragrance could be an important piece in the jigsaw that will help people adjust to the changes in their situation . Scent plays many a different role in a multitude of situations . Fragrance in soaps and cleaning products help to establish clean practices , by encouraging people to wash their hands and clean their environment , something that we have all learned the importance of in the prevention of spreading infectious diseases . Fine fragrance will also play an important role as we come out of lockdown , it will help people to feel confident in themselves as they venture out of their homes . Air care and scented candles in the home help people relax , de-stress and feel confident , or perhaps conjure up a memory of a happy time , a favourite place or even a loved one . It is likely that lockdown will affect the fashion trends in terms of fragrance in the months ahead . Some will want a revival of the ‘ back to nature ’ and simplistic notes – perhaps even tropical smells of far-flung places set for a ‘ stay at home ’ holiday ; others will want sophisticated complex layers of celebratory accords . The certain thing is that people will look to fragrance to help them feel cosseted , happy and healthy . •
Lisa Hipgrave
DIRECTOR
42 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981