What Makes a Sustainable Perfume?

It seems like in every industry there’s been a turn towards making products that are eco-friendly. Regardless of if you’re shopping for a new, cute tote or the latest skincare fad, there’s almost always some reference to sustainability or environmental awareness in the packaging and product labels. The world of perfumery is no exception. 

Fragrance brands are racing to meet customer’s expectations for high-quality, sustainable fragrances that smell great and are good for the earth, too. 

At Snif, along with revolutionizing the way you shop for fragrances, we’re also committed to providing you with sustainable products that you can feel good about using. 

That’s why in this guide we’re breaking down exactly what makes a perfume sustainable and providing you with a few of our favorite sustainable Snif perfumes that you can try next time you’re looking for a new signature scent. 

What Does Sustainable Mean?

Before we talk about sustainable perfumes, it’s important to get a general idea of what sustainability really means. 

Sustainability, when used to talk about businesses and corporations, refers to a company’s strategic plan to reduce adverse environmental and social impacts that result from their products or services. In other words, when businesses are focused on sustainability, they are focused on making sure their business operations are environmentally conscious. 

Sustainable products are defined as those that benefit the earth, society, and the economy throughout their lifestyle. 

Basically, if a product is sustainable, then it was made in a way that minimizes its social and environmental impact. These products are made to meet consumer needs without compromising the health of the environment and the planet while doing so. 

In terms of the beauty industry, the current move towards sustainability is often referred to as clean beauty. The idea behind clean beauty is that when beauty products (think makeup, haircare, perfumes, soaps, skincare, etc.) are made with safe, non-toxic, environmentally friendly ingredients, they’re better for you and for the earth. 

Why Is Sustainability Important?

Sustainability is so important because it is one way we can work to preserve our planet and natural resources. 

When you purchase sustainable products from eco-conscious brands, you can support efforts to reduce pollution and preserve the natural habitats of wild plants and animals. Sustainability also ensures that future generations will inherit all of the natural resources they need and a healthy planet to enjoy. 

How Can You Spot Sustainable Perfumes?

Now that you know all the basics of sustainability, it’s time to take a close look at sustainable perfumes. 

There are a few different ways you can spot an eco-friendly perfume. This section will dive into the different clues you can look for on the packaging and on a fragrance brand’s website to make sure their products are sustainable. 

Clean Ingredients

Arguably the biggest indicator of whether or not a perfume can be considered sustainable is its ingredient list. First things first, it’s important to consider supply chain traceability. This is one way to ensure that all of the ingredients in a fragrance are sourced sustainably and all of the ingredient suppliers meet certain ethical standards. 

Obviously, as a customer, it can be hard to find out all of this information. That’s why it’s important to look for brands that share information about where the ingredients and raw materials used to make their fragrances come from. 

Although it’s sometimes thought that only natural ingredients, botanicals, and pure essential oils can be sustainable, there are many instances in which synthetic ingredients can actually be more eco-friendly. For example, there are certain scents, like ouds or musk, that can be created synthetically so that the real resource isn’t overharvested. 

In terms of synthetic ingredients, it’s important to make sure they are produced following green chemistry principles to ensure that they are truly sustainable. 

Transparency

When it comes to sustainable scents, look for brands that champion 100% transparency. If a brand is really interested in creating sustainable scents, then they’ll be upfront about their supply chain, perfume production practices, sourcing, ingredients, and everything else that goes into making their fragrances. 

In the name of transparency, at Snif, we clarify on each product page that all of our products are formulated with industry clean standards. This means that they are made without parabens, preservatives, phthalates, or synthetic dyes. 

Vegan and Cruelty-Free

A sustainable fragrance is usually also vegan and cruelty-free (and, you guessed it, all of our fragrances at Snif meet this standard). 

If a product page or packaging doesn't directly say the scents are vegan and cruelty-free, there are a few different certifications that are used in the perfume industry that you can look for. 

The Leaping Bunny certification guarantees that a product is cruelty-free, and the Positive Luxury Butterfly Mark indicates that the fragrance was made following high standards for people and nature. 

What Are Some Sustainable Perfumes To Try?

Next time you’re looking for a scent to define your vibe for the season that’s also good for the planet, consider one of our delicious Snif fragrances. We have a wide variety of scents to choose from which is why we’ve picked some of our favorite fragrances to introduce you to in this section. 

If one of these fragrances seems to be calling your name, you can opt for try before you buy with most of our fragrances to make sure it’s the scent for you. 

Tart Deco

Tart Deco is a sophisticated cherry scent that features black cherry, raspberry, rose, mimosa, jasmine, and vanilla for a juicy blend that’s a nod to simpler times. You’ll feel like your flirtiest, most retro self when you rock this scent. 

It’s one of those fragrances that’s sure to have people asking “What scent are you wearing?” every time you walk into a room. 

Heal the Way

With pistachio, vanilla, palo santo, and musk, Heal the Way is a pistachio fragrance with a comforting, grounding scent. You’ll want to wear this fragrance on the days when you need to give yourself a little extra boost of self-love. 

Heal the Way was designed by the author and mindfulness teacher Alex Elle, so you already know that it’s the kind of scent that will help you get to your happy, peaceful place. 

Rose Era

Rose is one of those iconic fragrance scents, but sometimes even icons need a revamp. 

A modern take on a timeless classic, Rose Era is a rose fragrance that’s sure to have you seeing pure petal vision. With rose, strawberry, clean laundry accord, ambrette seeds, white moss, and saffron, this scent is fruity, floral, and irresistible. 

This fragrance is intoxicating and soft with a warm, woody base. This interesting undertone gives Rose Era its fresh twist, and all the fresh, floral scents keep it subtle and delicate, just what you want from your floral fragrances. 

Sweet Ash

A sweet scent that’s lowkey addictive, Sweet Ash is a vanilla fragrance that features vanilla, tonka bean, juniper, sandalwood, bergamot, and fir balsam to leave you wanting more. This fragrance is comforting, down-to-earth, and cheeky — and it’s sure to turn heads. 

Sweet Ash should be your go-to scent when you’re looking for a scent that’s powerful without being overwhelming. Perfect for the slightly colder months, this piney, elegant fragrance will leave you feeling fresh and grounded after every spray.

Friendly for Your Nose and the Planet

Some sustainable perfume brands in the fragrance industry are riding the eco-friendly wave. 

By offering fragrances that take into account your health and the health of the earth’s ecosystems, brands like Snif are making it easy to find high-quality fragrances that will help you smell your best and show off your love for the planet. 

After all, it will feel good to know that next time you’re rocking your signature scent and someone is dying to know where it’s from, you’ll be able to tell them it’s a Snif scent — and it’s sustainable.

Sources:

Research: How to Effectively Market Green Products | Harvard Business Reveiw

The Importance of Sustainability in Business | HBS Online

Facts About Glass Recycling | Glass Packaging Institute

Leaping Bunny