Fragrance Market Research: Trending Notes in 2024

Postmodern Perfumer | Newsletter #3

We have highly interesting data from Scentalytics for you. This is relevant for perfumers as well as perfumistas looking to keep their fragrance collection up to date.

They analyzed the latest (Q1 2024) trending notes present in recently launched perfumes:

Leather, pink pepper and cardamom are leading the list of rising perfume notes in the first quarter of 2024.

These are followed by ginger, violet, moss, tuberose and sage.

It will be interesting to watch which notes will dominate through the rest of the year.

Scentalytics is a consulting agency specialized in data acquisition and analysis for the fragrance industry. They have generously sponsored these insights for our newsletter:

 

Broader Market Trends

Q1 2024 has delivered a lot in terms of the changing face of fragrances and the varied trends that are sure to capture the interest of the consumer. From the return to basic notes to the invention of new mixes, it is a very creative and innovative moment in perfumery. Let's talk about some key fragrance trends which have been at the forefront over this first quarter of 2024.

Cherry and Peachy Notes to the Fore

• Cherry notes emerged as a favorite trend, mostly holding in contrast to other notes, such as sharp citrus or creamy gourmand accords to balance out the sweetness.
• Peach notes are starting to gain popularity, especially now that Pantone just released their 2024 Color of the Year as "Peach Fuzz." It plays well with florals, spices, and musks.
  
  

Vanilla Gets a Modern Makeover

• Vanilla is going strong, from classical concepts to new interpretations like musky, solar, and smoky vanilla.
• Gourmand smells are still very in fashion, but nowadays these have twisted into something extremely complex and sophisticated; rather than sweets, even more odd edible notes like croissant and lipstick surged.
  
  

Citrus Notes Get Freshened Up

• Modern twists on the classics - Citrus notes like mandarin, grapefruit, and lemon are updated to modernity, often candied, or matched with bitter or green vibrations.
  
  

Fragrance Meets Wellness

• Mood and wellness are more and more associated with fragrance. They are seen as energizing, soothing, or even confidence-building. "Functional fragrance" and aromatherapy are surfacing two important concepts.
  
  

Sustainability Moves Front and Center

• Switching to sustainable and natural ingredients as consumers lean toward environmentally friendly options is leading priorities across various brands.
  
  

Fragrance Industry Sales and Growth

The fastest-growing prestige beauty category for Q1 2024 was fragrance, posting a 13% increase year over year.

Growth drivers were gift sets and travel-size fragrances, with particularly strong growth from luxury fragrances. In general, however, sales growth in the US beauty industry was on a slower increase from the several-previous-year upswings that had been in double digits.