Alcohol-Free Perfume

Why most perfumes contain alcohol

Most perfumes are sprays, and most sprays are mainly alcohol. The alcohol dissolves the fragrance and carries it out of the bottle as a fine mist. Once it lands, the alcohol evaporates within moments and lifts the first notes into the air around you. That’s why a spray feels bright and noticeable as soon as you put it on.

An alcohol-free perfume does the same job with oil. The oil doesn’t flash off the way alcohol does, so the fragrance stays on your skin and comes through gradually as it warms. You still smell it the way you smell any perfume: its aroma molecules evaporate from your skin, a little at a time. Neither approach is right or wrong. They simply behave differently.

Why people choose perfume oils

A few reasons people enjoy wearing perfume oils:

• A little goes a long way. It’s concentrated fragrance in an oil, so one swipe is often enough.
• It unfolds on your skin. The oil warms with your skin and moves through its opening, heart and dry-down.
• You choose where it goes. A roll-on lets you control exactly where you apply it and how much.
• It layers well. Oils layer well with each other and with your other perfume.
• Easy to carry. A small glass roll-on fits in a pocket or bag.
• No added alcohol. Some people simply prefer a perfume without it.

What changes when you wear an oil

If you’re used to a spray, the first thing you’ll notice is that there’s no burst of alcohol at the start. Give it a few minutes on warm skin and the scent will open up.

• Use less. One short swipe on each wrist or on the neck is usually enough. You can add more later.
• Don’t rub. Let the oil settle where you put it.
• Give it a few wears. How a scent wears depends on your skin and the blend, so try it a few times before you decide.
• Watch the evolution. Many of our oils start with spice, fruit or citrus and settle into woods, musk or vanilla later on.

Helping it last

Scent tends to hold better on moisturised skin, so try an unscented lotion first. Apply to pulse points, keep the bottle closed and out of the sun, and carry a small roll-on for a top-up. There are more ideas in our tips to make your perfume last longer.

What alcohol-free doesn’t mean

Alcohol-free tells you what the base is. It doesn’t mean a perfume is free of allergens: fragrance materials, whatever the base, can cause reactions in some people. Do a patch test on a small area of skin before first use, and if you have any allergies, it’s best to avoid our perfumes to be on the safe side. If you have a question about a particular scent, ask us.

Where to go next

To learn where the tradition comes from, read what is attar?. For more on how oils compare with sprays in general, see our perfume oils page. If you’re shopping for someone, we’ve picked out men’s perfume oils and women’s perfume oils, though many of our scents are unisex.

And if you’re new to oils altogether, the Discovery Set lets you try seven before choosing a larger size.