Mixing fragrances

[Denis123]

Hi there,

I really couldn't think of anywhere else to ask these questions but here seemed the logical place. I was just wondering if mixing fragrances together is an OK and harmless thing to do or is it possible for it to cause adverse skin reactions? I suppose each of these fragrances have their own formula, so would it be possible for me to actually make a combination that is harmful? (I'm thinking of adding 2, 3, 4, or even more (and sometimes with water).

I didn't know where else to post this,
Thank you for your help

[johnep]

I used to work for a fragrance company. Most perfumery materials are Alcohols, Aldehydes, Ketones and Terpenes. The perfumer mixes together in various combinations and tests using a strip of absorbent paper. If a product looks promising, next test is for stability and skin reactions. If you mix perfumes together, you are mixing dilute solutions and unlikely to be any reactions, chemical or physical. Why exactly do you wish to mix the perfumes? There are text books on perfumery or the net.
johnep

[Denis123]

Thanks for your reply,

well, I want to make a fragrance that is a bit more distinctive and I was basically hoping to do it by mixing those that I have. But here is the thing: you said that the solutions are dilute. Now, I assume that there is a certain concentration of each of the mentioned chemicals in fragrnace bottles. But if I was to mix one fragrance with another, wouldn't that mean that I'm making it more concentrated? For instance, wont there be more alcohol present in the mixture that I create? (Or any other chemical)

But yeah, I read some stuff on making fragrances, and it seems that all that is needed is essential or fragrance oils, vodka, and distilled water. I might actually give that a try. Seems quite interesting.

[johnep]

Was in Agadir recently and bought some Rose Concentrate. Propose to dilute 1:10 with over proof white rum given to me years ago and try it out. What you really need is a perfumery organ. Rows and tiers of small bottles of various oils etc. Probably available over the net somewhere. These are mixed carefully in measured amounts to produce a perfume.
You will need: green notes, floral notes, woody notes, and a fixative to hold the perfume on the skin. Musk from the Musk deer, Civet extract from the civet cat, and Ambergris from a whale's stomach traditionally used. All contain large rings of many carbon atoms. Everyday example is Skatole present in faeces which gives an animal note.
Perfumery is a fascinating art and perhaps you could consider a highly paid career working for one of the companies.
johnep

[Pharmanaut]

There's the occasional program on TV about a 'nose'.
Its a fascinating subject.

[bobbin]

I used to work for a fragrance company.

Seriously John, is there anyone you haven't worked for? Such varied experience.

[johnep]

Surprisingly, many pharmaceuticals are used as flavours/perfumes. Eg Vanillin is the starting point for L Dopa and Trimethoprim. I always thought the smell of Bendrofluazide had aromatic connotations. Oil of Buchu tastes (highly dilute) like blackcurrant. We would steam distill Buchu leaves for the oil, then extract for Extract of Buchu used for Urinary tract problems obtaining a double profit. Terpineole (Present in Dettol), highly diluted apparently smells/tastes like grapefruit. In the Far East, I would enjoy a Root Beer. Smelling it demonstrated presence of Methyl Salicylate (Oil of wintergreen).
When starting out in Pharmacy, I was determined to get experience in as many Pharmaceutical areas as possible. Hospital, retail and Manufacturing was just the start.
I considered the World was my oyster and pharmacy the key.
johnep

[bobbin]

Surprisingly, many pharmaceuticals are used as flavours/perfumes. Eg Vanillin is the starting point for L Dopa and Trimethoprim. I always thought the smell of Bendrofluazide had aromatic connotations. Oil of Buchu tastes (highly dilute) like blackcurrant. We would steam distill Buchu leaves for the oil, then extract for Extract of Buchu used for Urinary tract problems obtaining a double profit. Terpineole (Present in Dettol), highly diluted apparently smells/tastes like grapefruit. In the Far East, I would enjoy a Root Beer. Smelling it demonstrated presence of Methyl Salicylate (Oil of wintergreen).
When starting out in Pharmacy, I was determined to get experience in as many Pharmaceutical areas as possible. Hospital, retail and Manufacturing was just the start.
I considered the World was my oyster and pharmacy the key.
johnep

Fascinating. I hear that perfumery is a very hard area to get into. There aren't many perfumers in the whole world. It must be very lucrative.

[Pharmanaut]

There's only one thing that a newly opened tub of 'Bendrofluazide 5mg Tablets' had the odour of...
Anyone remember the smell of a newly opened tub of tagamet 200mg tablets?

Plus... Am I the only one who used to actually like pharmacognosy?
I saw it as a glimpse into the future - especially with marine plants, and possibly other organisms.
Johnep - you are exempt from the vote.

[minisini]

Inspiring guys! Theres an excellent book called perfume I read, pick it up its great. Aromatism is an incredible art.