Ambrosial, divine, crisp, warm, spicy, exquisite, or delicate all adjectives commonly used to describe a fragrance. Fragrances, commonly referred to as perfumes, are as old as humankind. Back in ancient times, human beings noticed that the smoke created by burning specific plants brought about beneficial properties; giving birth at that moment to the origins of perfumery. The word “perfume” comes from the Latin word per fumo meaning by smoke. Furthermore, the ancient Egyptians already knew the art of associating different aroma to create complex perfumes as Kyphi, a multipurpose mixture made by many different fragrances including juniper berries, broom flowers, fragrant reed, oak resin, myrrh, cinnamon, and cardamom. (If you’d like to read more about the perfumery’s evolution, featured below)
The base of any perfume will be the perfume “essence”; this is what actually makes the scent. It is a combination of essential oils and absolutes. Back in old times it was also added animal extracts such as musk, or ambergris as fixers; today mostly banned and no longer used in natural and organic perfumery. Unfortunately, nowadays, most perfumes are made mainly by synthetic fragrant essences (this could be nearly anything), a synthetic fixer -substituting animal extracts- and in the best scenario, in addition to that, a small amount of natural essential oils. But in our natural blog space there’s no room for synthetic and/or nasty stuff, thus from now on I’ll be only talking about the 100% natural fragrances.
A natural fragrance is a balanced blend of water, natural alcohol (ethanol, that can also be source organic) and the essence -sometimes listed in the ingredients list as parfum-. This essence could actually not be that attractive by itself, and in some cases even unpleasant and overwhelming. Being too concentrated; it needs to be diluted with alcohol and water.
Perfumes strength and concentration guide
Fragrances come in many forms and have many names, but generally the main five categories for the perfumes strength and concentration guide.
Perfume
A perfume is the purest and most concentrated fragrance. Composed by 20% to 30% (and in some cases up to 40%) of aromatic oils that could even last for more than 16 hours. It does not mean it’s the most overpowering and strongest fragrance, but the one that will take longer to be evaporated and disappear away from your skin.
Eau de Parfum:
EDP has a concentration of 15% to 20% of the essence, lasting approximately 10–12 hours on the skin.
Eau de toilette:
EDT, the most commonly found in perfumery, has a concentration that ranges from 5% to 15% of the essence lasting 4 to 6 Hours on the skin.
Eau de cologne:
EDC, is one of the lowest concentration of essence, between 2% and 4% lasting up to 3 hours, however it is an excellent choice over summer specially when exposed under the sun for longer.
Eau Fraiche or Body Splash:
Even lower than the EDC, the Eau Fraiche as the name indicates has a very low fragrant essence concentration ranging between 1% to 3% of essence and lasting onto your skin less than 2 hours.
My Personal Journey
Throughout my business journey, marketing advisors across all specialities have consistently asked me the same fundamental questions: What drives you? What sets you apart? What unique value do you offer your customers?
For me, the answer to all these questions converges on one core element: Spanish Alchemy. Those who have attended my workshops know that Spain carries a rich perfumery heritage dating back to medieval times. The women in my lineage have been alchemists for generations, practising their craft even when it was forbidden to women or condemned as witchcraft. This deep connection to Spanish Alchemy and Aromatherapy runs through my veins.
My true calling lies in creating alchemical perfumes that offer more than just beautiful fragrances – they provide a complete holistic experience. While most modern perfumers opt for simplified, cost-effective methods to produce natural fragrances, I remain devoted to the traditional alchemical process, despite its time-intensive and costly nature. My passion for authentic perfumery and Spanish Alchemy drives me to create products with genuine soul.
What Makes a Perfume Alchemical?
An alchemical perfume is distinguished by its unique composition, containing 15% to 40% pure essence. Unlike conventional natural perfumes that use alcohol as a carrier, alchemical perfumes are crafted with spagyrics – concentrated medicinal herbal extracts created through traditional alchemical processes – and hydrosols, the aromatic water collected during essential oil distillation.
This combination yields a perfume of exceptional quality – a living essence that, like fine wine, evolves over time. For those with sensitive skin, I create alchemical eau de parfum (15-20% essence) using these same time-honoured methods.
While traditional perfumes aim simply to delight the senses, an alchemical perfume transcends ordinary fragrance. Each creation is more than a careful blend of ingredients; it's an artistic expression that has inspired poets, writers, and filmmakers. Every bottle contains not just a scent, but a story – the journey of its creation and the spirit of its maker.
Experience My First Creations
Under both sun and moon, leaves and petals are slowly immersed to extract their medicinal essence, beginning a transformative process that honours centuries of alchemical tradition.
From the ancient traditions of Spanish Alchemy to modern-day artisanal perfumery, my journey honours generations of wisdom while creating something uniquely transformative. Each perfume is more than a fragrance – it's a bridge between centuries-old alchemical practices and contemporary holistic wellbeing. When you choose one of my creations, you're not just wearing a perfume; you're carrying a piece of living history, crafted with the same dedication and reverence that my ancestors poured into their alchemical arts. Every bottle tells a story of tradition, transformation, and the timeless pursuit of botanical excellence.
I invite you to explore these alchemical treasures and discover their transformative power for yourself. Each creation is a testament to my family's legacy and my passion for authentic Spanish perfumery.
With aromatic blessings,
Sonia x
P.S. Feel free to reach out if you'd like to learn more about the ancient art of alchemical perfumery or join one of my upcoming workshops.