One of the questions we often get asked is whether natural perfume will last as long as a conventional perfume on your skin or in the bottle. At Abel, we make our 100% natural perfume without preservatives or fixatives which means they won’t last forever. Instead, these beautiful natural concoctions are alive, will constantly evolve – both on your skin throughout the day and in the bottle (like a fine wine). Read more about why we love natural perfume and why we avoid synthetic ingredients here.

Above all, we will never put longevity at the expense of the environment. Often the ingredients in a ‘conventional’ perfume that ‘fix it to your skin and make it last longer’, are the same ingredients that don’t biodegrade in our ecosystem. Read more about non-biodegradable musk fixatives here. 

Our perfume lasts as long as it should, based on the natural ingredients we use to create the fragrance. For example, Golden Neroli is our shortest lasting fragrance because it is full of effervescent, fleeting, ingredients that dissipate quickly. In contrast, Grey Labdanum and Pink Iris are full of heavier compounds, rich and heavy florals and dark resins that last a long time on your skin. Pure labdanum essential oil on a paper blotter will stay fragrant for many months. 

We also use the latest in natural science – plant-derived single molecules that by nature, last longer on your skin and are whole essential oils. Our master perfumer Isaac Sinclair does hundreds of trials before we are convinced we have a perfume that is harmonious, balanced and long (enough) lasting.

After years of wearing synthetic fragrance, transitioning to a 100% natural perfume can take time to adjust. Natural perfume is a more intimate and dynamic way of scenting. But be warned, once you go natural, you’ll never go back. It’s like tasting fresh orange juice after only being exposed to flavoured drinks!