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The human skin: fragrances and pheromones
D L Berliner1, C Jennings-White, R M Lavker
1EROX Corporation, Menlo Park, CA.
The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
|October 1, 1991
Summary
Non-human mammalian pheromones in perfumes act as scent fixatives, not attractants. Future perfumes may utilize human pheromones for genuine sensual appeal, shifting perfumery towards scientific application.
Area of Science:
- Olfactory science
- Cosmetic chemistry
- Behavioral biology
Background:
- Non-human mammalian pheromones are common perfumery ingredients, primarily used for scent fixation and contribution to overall fragrance.
- Current marketing often misrepresents these ingredients as enhancers of sexual attractiveness, confusing pleasant scent responses with pheromonal effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the functional role of non-human mammalian pheromones in perfumery.
- To propose the use of human pheromones as a more effective and natural alternative for enhancing sensual attraction in perfumes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the functional properties of non-human mammalian pheromones in fragrance compositions.
- Conceptual exploration of human pheromones as potential ingredients in the perfume industry.
Main Results:
- Non-human mammalian pheromones primarily function as fixatives and scent contributors, not as true attractants.
- The attractive effects of current perfumes are predominantly due to pleasant scent profiles, not pheromonal activity.
Conclusions:
- The use of non-human mammalian pheromones for their purported attractive effects is scientifically unfounded.
- Human pheromones offer a more logical and effective approach to creating perfumes with genuine sensual attraction, representing a paradigm shift towards a scientific basis for perfumery.