The Sensory Economics of Fragrance Formulation: How to Enhance Product Premium Value Through Scent

- Gen Z: Prefers the sweet and fresh combination of ‘fruity + musk,’ such as strawberry ketone and ambroxan, evoking a youthful, energetic vibe. A domestic brand using this fragrance profile for its body lotion saw a 37% increase in repurchase rates;

- High-end men's market: Utilising ‘cedarwood + leather’ fragrances, such as the combination of patchouli and guaiac wood, to convey a mature and steady demeanour. The average price of related skincare series is 25% higher than that of similar products;

- Sensitive skin segment: Developing the ‘unscented + mildly scented’ concept, blending 0.05% chamomile essential oil to create a ‘reassuring’ olfactory memory. Tests show that trust scores for such products have increased by 41%.

Building olfactory memory anchors

Neuroscience research indicates that olfactory memories last twice as long as visual memories. A certain international brand has maintained an 89% olfactory brand recognition rate by consistently using the core fragrance notes of ‘rose + sandalwood’ for 20 years. Our fragrance development team can establish a brand-exclusive ‘fragrance fingerprint library’ through GC-MS fragrance component analysis, ensuring fragrance consistency throughout the entire process from raw material procurement to finished product production.

Cost Control and Effectiveness Balance

Fragrance costs typically account for 3-15% of total cosmetic raw material costs. We offer dual product lines: ‘functional fragrances’ centred on functional essential oils (e.g., acne-fighting fragrances with 1% tea tree oil) and ‘sensory experience fragrances’ focused on optimising olfactory experiences (e.g., long-lasting fragrances with 12-hour retention). This helps clients maximise fragrance value across different price segments.