IFF launches water-based fragrance carrier for fine fragrance formulation
AQUASCENT enables concentrate-only shipping to cut transport emissions.
SWITZERLAND – IFF has launched AQUASCENT™, a new vegan, water-based carrier designed for fine fragrances.
Made with a proprietary blend of biodegradable ingredients, AQUASCENT™ boosts scent performance and visual clarity while enabling more sustainable shipping.
Sabrya Meflah, president of Fine Fragrance at IFF Scent, said AQUASCENT™ demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to developing new scent technologies and formats that deliver engaging fragrance experiences while aligning with the industry’s increasing emphasis on sustainability.
She added that the innovation reflects IFF’s goal of redefining how fine fragrances are formulated, distributed, and perceived.
AQUASCENT™ belongs to IFF’s Science of Performance platform, which is focused on solutions that improve fragrance performance by controlling how scent is released and experienced over time.
The water-based fragrance segment is expanding as major brands introduce new water-based offerings and consumers adopt novel scent formats.
Fatimata Dembele-Kuntzmann, Ph.D., senior technical manager for IFF Scent, said, “AQUASCENT™ approaches water-based fragrance as a complete fine fragrance system, balancing olfactive performance and visual clarity and a concentrated format designed for efficient transportation.”
“For brands, that means the opportunity to embrace a growing fragrance format without compromising the qualities that define the fine fragrance experience.”
According to IFF’s web-listening data, global Google searches for “water-based perfumes” have risen 18% so far this year, and related TikTok posts have accumulated more than 15 million views.
AQUASCENT™ supports fragrance concentrations ranging from 10% up to 25%, whereas most comparable systems top out around 15%.
Reaching such high fragrance loads in water-based formulas is difficult because fragrance oils often make the mixture appear cloudy.
AQUASCENT™ addresses this challenge while preserving transparency, allowing brands to produce high-performance, crystal-clear fragrances.
This enables fragrance houses to offer the longevity and visual sophistication consumers expect from fine fragrances.
The formula contains no intentionally added ethanol, preservatives, or silicone, and it has a non-sticky texture with documented skin-hydrating benefits for a comfortable feel on skin.
AQUASCENT™ also enables a more resource-efficient transportation model.
The carrier can be shipped as a concentrate, with brands adding water during final manufacturing instead of transporting it as part of the finished formula.
By cutting the volume and weight of shipped material, this compact format can help reduce CO₂ emissions from freight.
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