Smelling & Feeling Good: Wellness Through Functional Fragrance in Cosmetics

Date: February 6, 2025
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Location: Royal Society of Chemistry, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BA
Live Event

Come and enjoy an evening at the Royal Society of Chemistry, at this joint event between the Society of Cosmetic Scientists and the British Society of Perfumers.
The event will start at 6pm for registration and networking (with tea and coffee)

Presentations will start at 6.30pm and finish around 8.45pm.

Light refreshments will be served during the event.

Agenda: “Feeling Good, Smelling Good: Wellness Through Functional Fragrances in Cosmetics”

Introduction

Welcome and session overview, with a brief introduction to speakers and functional fragrances.

Session 1: The Science Behind Functional Fragrances

Marion Coureault (Givaudan)
Exploring the essential role of fragrance in cosmetics and its impact on mood and well-being.

Anthony Pegard (Robertet)
Highlighting the potential of natural aromatic raw materials for hair and skin care applications.

Comfort Break for refreshments

Session 2: Functional Fragrances, Consumer Behaviour and Market Analysis

Helga Hertsig-Lavocah (Hintfuturology)
Examining the shift from scent as a passive experience to an active and engaging element in consumer products.

Bengt Jacobsson (BEAUTYSTREAM)
PSYCARE: Nurturing Emotional Well-Being in Beauty

Interactive Q&A and Open Discussion

An open floor discussion with all speakers, encouraging engagement and deeper exploration of topics.

Conclusion

A summary of key takeaways and an invitation for further discussions.

6.00pm – 6.25pm Registration, Tea & coffee, Networking
6.25pm – 6.30pm Welcome from both Presidents (SCS, BSP)
Introduction to the organising team and the Programme

Session 1 : The Science Behind Functional Fragrances

6.30pm – 7.00pm Marion Coureault (Givaudan)

(incl.5min Q&A) Exploring the essential role of fragrance in cosmetics and its impact on mood and well-being.

In this talk, Marion Coureault will explore the critical role of fragrance in cosmetic products and its significant impact on mood and well-being when perfectly designed. Attendees will learn how Givaudan’s research investigates the connection between science and scent, developing tools that empower perfumers to create fragrances that are much more than a pleasant smell. Fragrance serves as the perfect ally to cosmetic ingredients, offering a holistic approach to well-being that resonates with consumers. With 89% of consumers believing that fragrance can influence their well-being, there is a growing interest in products that provide these benefits as part of their beauty rituals. The presentation will also showcase current market trends, featuring examples of cosmetics and fragrances designed to evoke calming, energizing, or uplifting effects, illustrating how scent can be harnessed to enhance overall quality of life through rigorous scientific methodologies rooted in neuroscience.

7.00pm – 7.30pm Anthony Pegard (Robertet)

(incl.5min Q&A) Highlighting the potential of natural aromatic raw materials for hair and skin care applications.

This presentation will explore the potential of natural aromatic raw materials, celebrated for their remarkable scents, as valuable assets for hair and skin care. Since the early 2000s, Robertet’s Aromacosmetic program has focused on uncovering the cosmetic properties of these ingredients, driving innovation in functional fragrances.

The discussion will highlight recent research culminating in the development of “anti-pollution” fragrances, achieved through advanced methodologies such as in-vitro and ex-vivo testing and targeting multiple biological pathways. It will also address critical challenges in working with natural materials, including ethical sourcing, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability, with emphasis on compliance with standards like the Nagoya Protocol to ensure ethical innovation.

Finally, the presentation will examine regulatory complexities in formulating functional fragrances, outlining their benefits and limitations and will emphasise the significance of precise marketing claims to maintain clarity, regulatory compliance, and consumer trust.

7.30pm – 7.40pm Comfort break

Session 2: Functional Fragrances, Consumer Behaviour and Market Analysis

7.40pm – 8.10pm Helga Hertsig-Lavocah (Hintfuturology)

(incl.5min Q&A) Examining the shift from scent as a passive experience to an active and engaging element in consumer products.

“Belief in one’s ability to exert control over the environment and to produce desired results is essential for an individual’s wellbeing. It has been repeatedly argued that the perception of control is not only desirable, but it is likely a psychological and biological necessity.1”

Sky rocketing anxiety is driving consumers to use fragrance as a lifebuoy to help them stay afloat in a sea of uncertainty. Scent has moved from passive experience to active engagement – it’s the one thing they can control, which makes it an essential part of every consumer’s wellbeing toolbox. Even though fragrance is one of the oldest art forms, young adults are reclaiming and reinventing it with DIY, personalisation, inclusivity, new formats and most importantly for us: scrutiny. They are hyper vigilant about what they put on their bodies, in their homes (safety on their terms, not yours) which is leading to a rejection of heritage brands, the creation of new communities and new categories. Future success for brands depends on proof & validation – winning brands will be able to prove a shift in mood, a drop in Blood Pressure, better REM sleep etc AND proof of “clean.”

1 Born to Choose: The Origins and Value of the Need for Control https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2944661/

8.10pm – 8.40pm Bengt Jacobsson (BEAUTYSTREAMS)

(incl.5min Q&A) The concept of holistic beauty has been gaining momentum in recent years. Today, amidst an unprecedented context of political tensions, economic recession, war, and climate emergencies, its relevance has never been greater. Unsurprisingly, the prevalence of stress-related disorders and sleep issues is rising. Consumers today are seeking reassurance and moments of joy. For many, the pursuit of happiness has overtaken the chase for success. This shift in mindset is reshaping the definition of beauty, moving toward one rooted in psychological well-being, self-care, and health. No longer just a trend, this has now become a key emerging category within the beauty industry. Discover how the PSYCARE movements will impact product claims, sensoriality, and services.

8.40pm – 8.50pm Open floor discussion with all speakers, encouraging engagement and deeper exploration of topics

8.50pm – 8.55pm Takeaway messages and closing remarks

British Society of Perfumers (BSP)
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