And other physiological changes that drive major shifts in perfume preference.
The menopause is increasingly being talked about in mainstream channels – and with heightened knowledge comes a better understanding of how it can affect women.
A little known fact relating to the menopause is the impact it has on the sense of smell – so for the millions of women who reach a certain age in their life and can no longer stand their decades-old signature scent – Jonny Webber of Perfume Direct explains why.
“More and more we hear from customers who want advice on finding a new fragrance, and one of the commonly asked questions we come across is why after years of having a signature scent people find they have suddenly gone off their favourite perfume – or conversely can’t stand the aftershave worn by their partner.
“Looking at research relating to our sense of smell, experts have a clear reasoning: hormonal changes due to the menopause can alter your sense of smell so significantly it can completely change which fragrance notes you prefer.”
According to My Menopause Centre it’s falling oestrogen levels that can affect smell and saliva. It also claims that 40 to 50 per cent of adults experience changes to taste and smell. While AVogel.co.uk explains that during menopause you can become more aware of smells and that you can start to smell things that you’ve never noticed before. This can also mean that you begin to dislike some smells or they become too strong for you. HRT can also change sensitivity to smell according to medical research.
Jonny continues: “Having to swap your perfume might not be the first thing you think about when you start experiencing symptoms of the menopause but it is definitely worth reviewing different scents and fragrance notes to ensure you’re still wearing something you love. Evidence shows that some degree of change of smell is likely due to hormonal changes.
“And it’s not just hormonal changes. As we age our sense of smell declines, this is called presbyosmia, and the chemistry of our skin as we age can also impact how we experience scents. Drier skin can mean that the active ingredient in perfume breaks up faster than before, whilst temperature changes caused by hot flushes can cause the top notes of a perfume to evaporate more quickly. All of this means that a fragrance you may have loved for many years just won’t smell the same anymore – or you may struggle to smell it at all.”
Jonny has this advice:“If you’ve found that your sense of smell is not quite what it was, you might want to opt for a heavier scent that will last without having to douse yourself in it,” advises Jonny. “Or, if you’re experiencing hot flushes you might want to opt for a floral scent which is more likely to stay true even if the top notes evaporate due to the heat of your skin.”
But it’s not just in later years that our sense of smell changes – we tend to find our signature scent as we come out of adolescence and our hormones level out
“While children are often gifted with perfumes branded with their favourite character like Batman or Cinderella, picking your first perfume/cologne/deodorant can often be a declaration
“I’m a young adult”, says Jonny.
“But it’s also interesting how first scents are often not what people stick to and the fragrance notes – often sweet and a bit sickly – favoured during the teen years aren’t ones that we adopt throughout out twenties, thirties and forties.
“When our hormones have become more balanced as we all reach adulthood at our different stages, this is when we’re most likely to find our signature scent.
“Similarly, the pH balance of your skin, how dry or oily your skin is, your hormone levels, and even your diet are all believed to affect how your body reacts when perfume is applied. So a fragrance that can work well on teen skin might not smell so appealing as these physiological changes occur.”
A third fragrance change milestone can be during pregnancy – hormone changes during this time also affects our sense of smell and perfume choice
Jonny explains “In a similar vein to the menopause, hormonal changes in pregnancy may also alter your relationship with your favourite scent. Many pregnant women can experience a heightened sense of smell called hyperosmia which makes them more sensitive to fragrances, meaning that much-loved and familiar scents may all of a sudden trigger feelings of nausea and be completely off-putting.
“If you’re pregnant and experiencing a heightened sense of smell you may want to switch your signature fragrance to something completely different; notes that you’ve never considered before. Citrus scents can be popular during pregnancy as they are fresh, clean and unfussy. Citrus-based scents are known for their invigorating qualities and they may also help with symptoms of morning sickness. Whilst those which feature jasmine and chamomile can help you to feel more relaxed.”
For help finding your next signature scent visit: Perfume Direct’s Fragrance Finder.
To view Perfume Direct’s full range of fragrances, beauty and grooming products visit: www.perfumedirect.com.
