The Simple Essentials: What is aromachology?
Unlock the science of scent and its profound impact on human emotion, wellbeing, and skincare experiences as our first blog walks you through how scent impacts mood, memory and mind.
Have you ever caught a whiff of lavender and instantly felt calmer? Or smelled fresh citrus and felt re-energised? That’s not just nostalgia, it’s science. The way we react to scent is deeply personal, yet universally powerful.
Aromachology is the study of how fragrance affects human behaviour and emotions. Unlike aromatherapy, which focuses on the medicinal and physical effects of essential oils, aromachology explores the psychological and emotional impact of scent — and its role in everything from mental wellbeing to brand identity.
In this post, we’ll unpack the meaning of aromachology, how it works, and why it matters in skincare, perfumery, and holistic product development.
What Is Aromachology?
Coined in the 1980s by The Sense of Smell Institute, aromachology blends "aroma" and "psychology" to describe the science of scent and its impact on the brain.
Aromachology draws on neuroscience, psychology, and olfactory research to understand how certain smells can:
Boost mood or reduce stress
Trigger memories and emotional states
Influence consumer behaviour and product appeal
In short, aromachology is the science behind why scent makes us feel something.
How Does Scent Affect the Brain?
Scent is the only sense directly linked to the limbic system — the part of the brain responsible for emotion and memory. When you inhale a fragrance:
Olfactory receptors in the nose send signals to the brain’s emotional centre.
These signals can trigger emotional reactions, such as calm, alertness, comfort, or even nostalgia.
The response is often instantaneous and subconscious.
This is why scent can be so powerful in skincare and personal care: it creates emotional connection and sensory storytelling.
Aromachology vs Aromatherapy
Aromachology - Focuses on psychological effects, can use both natural & synthetic scents, is based on olfactory psychology and is used in perfumery, branding, product development.
Aromatherapy - Focuses on physical/therapeutic effects, uses essential oils only, is rooted in holistic healing traditions and is used in health, wellness, massage therapy.
While aromatherapy might use lavender oil to help with sleep, aromachology studies how the scent of lavender affects relaxation… even if it’s not the real oil.
Why Aromachology Matters in Skincare and Wellness
Whether you're formulating a face cream or designing a bespoke scent for your brand, aromachology offers a powerful tool to elevate emotional experience.
Enhances customer connection through sensory branding
Supports mental wellbeing in skincare rituals
Builds product loyalty by anchoring positive emotions to your formula
Informs formulation decisions with science-backed mood responses
As an aromachologist and product development expert, Kim Lahiri works with brands to harness scent with purpose — blending decades of experience with the latest research in sensory wellness.
Final Thought: Scent Is Not Just a Fragrance, It’s a Feeling
In a crowded beauty market, emotion is a differentiator. Aromachology helps brands move beyond surface-level scent to create products that feel meaningful.
If you're developing a product or want to integrate aromachology into your brand, get in touch. Together, we can craft something your customers can truly connect with.
