2 min
In recent years, the world has changed — and so have the expectations of consumers. Emotional wellbeing has become a central concern in people’s daily lives, and this shift is transforming how they relate to the products they use.
Consumers are no longer just looking for functionality. They’re looking for products that support how they feel — that help them relax, feel happier, or regain energy in the middle of a demanding day.
This is especially true in categories where scent plays a key role. And it’s here where fragrance technology becomes more than a sensory element — it becomes a vehicle for emotional connection.
The emotional landscape: what consumers are telling us
According to global research conducted by dsm-firmenich:
- 73% of consumers expect brands to embrace wellness.
- 80% of daily decisions are influenced by emotions.
- Emotional needs are cross-category and globally relevant.
These figures reflect a clear trend: people are actively seeking products that contribute to their emotional balance. And they expect brands to respond.
Fragrance as a functional benefit
Fragrance is uniquely positioned to meet this demand. Unlike other product attributes, scent is directly connected to the brain’s limbic system — the area responsible for emotion and memory. This makes it one of the most immediate and powerful ways to influence how someone feels.
At Scentmate by dsm-firmenich, we’ve translated this insight into a concrete solution: EMOTIONS, a fragrance technology designed to elicit specific emotional responses, based on scientific validation and natural ingredients.
But before we talk about the technology, let’s look at the need it addresses.
Three emotional needs, one common desire
Through extensive research and consumer testing, we’ve identified three emotional states that are consistently sought after across demographics and product categories:
- Relaxation: A response to stress, overstimulation, and the need for calm.
- Happiness: A desire for joy, optimism, and emotional uplift.
- Energy: A need to feel revitalized, motivated, and mentally alert.
These aren’t abstract concepts — they’re real, measurable needs that consumers express daily. And they’re increasingly influencing purchase decisions.
How we translate emotion into fragrance technology
The EMOTIONS fragrance technology is the result of over 25 years of research combining neuroscience, consumer insight, and olfactory expertise. It’s built on:
- fMRI brain imaging to measure neurological responses to scent.
- ScentMove® methodology to map verbalized emotions to olfactive profiles.
The result is a fragrance that not only smells good — but is also designed to make people feel relaxed, happy, or energized, depending on the emotional territory chosen.
What this means for brands
Incorporating fragrance technology like EMOTIONS into your product line allows you to:
- Respond to a clear and growing consumer need.
- Offer a differentiated product experience based on emotional benefit.
- Use scientifically validated claims to support your marketing.
- Apply the technology across categories — from personal care to home care.
And most importantly, it allows you to create products that people don’t just use — they feel.
A new standard in fragrance innovation
EMOTIONS is not about trends. It’s about aligning your brand with what truly matters to consumers today: how they feel.
By integrating emotional functionality into your fragrance strategy through advanced fragrance technology, you’re not just enhancing your product — you’re creating a deeper, more meaningful connection with your audience.
And in today’s market, that’s not just valuable. It’s essential.
Learn more on how to create fragrances with EMOTIONS technology.