Fragrance pearls

Encapsulation technology for fine fragrances opens new possibilities for ethanol-free perfumes.

With growing demand for health-conscious, sustainable, and natural fine fragrances, ethanol-free perfumes have become a steadily growing market in the fine fragrance industry. As a result, more brands are starting to offer products like clean perfumes and ethanol-free perfumes to their consumers. However, today many of these products can still not fully compete with their ethanol-based companions. They can come with a milky look and a sticky, even oily feeling on application. Furthermore, some of these products contain synthetic solvents and emulsifiers that have the potential to harm skin and are in conflict with the natural and sustainable claim of a perfume product. As a result, health-conscious consumers are often left with a less than optimal perfume experience.

A new path for ethanol-free perfume

Encapsulation of fragrance-oil offers a hand to solve this challenge, offering the possibility for natural and sustainable claims, while eliminating the mentioned downsides of current ethanol-free fragrances. Microcaps AG, a company based in Switzerland, has committed itself to offer this solution with their patented encapsulation technology that is based on microemulsion. Their water-based, ethanol-free delivery system encapsulates fine fragrance oil into natural alginate pearls. These pearls are then surrounded by water and can be sprayed like a conventional perfume, breaking in the nozzle. The patented process enables a natural, transparent, and ethanol-free formulation that feels soothing on application and is safe for skin, hair, and textiles.
At the same time this delivery system allows to achieve fragrance concentrations in the final product of over 20%. Furthermore, the formulation comes without the use of solvents and emulsifiers. In consequence of this, end consumers receive a highly performant perfume that offers a completely new perfume experience while also offering the benefits of a natural, vegan and ethanol-free perfume.

New application with conventional dispensing systems

Let’s take a closer look at how the fragrance is released on application: Every time the consumer sprays, a mix of the intact alginate perfume pearls and water gets sucked into the tube. The pearls then break while being sprayed through the nozzle, releasing a mist of fragrance oil mixed with water. This leads to a soothing, refreshing, and transparent application that leaves no spots on clothes. This functionality works with common dispensing systems of known providers of spray heads, tubes, and pumps for fine fragrance bottles.

Stand out visual appearance

Last but not least, the alginate pearls also look great in the bottle. This helps brands to spotlight their products on the shelves and creates an exciting fragrance experience for consumers. However, since the process of encapsulating perfume oil into alginate beads is protected by patents it also helps brands to protect their perfume products against copycats.

"This delivery system allows to achieve fragrance concentrations in the final product of over 20%."

Conclusion

Various product launches in the past few years have shown that ethanol-free perfume has come to stay. With growing health-consciousness and the need for more sustainable products in the fine fragrance market it is certain, that water-based perfume will become a topic of growing importance in the near future. Technology, such as natural encapsulation methods can greatly help achieve better, more natural, and more enjoyable products for perfume consumers. New looking products, that are based on innovative delivery systems, such as Microcaps’ perfume pearls, will help brands to point out their true contribution to innovative fragrance products. Last but not least, advanced technology also offers companies protection for their brands from copycats. All these facts lead to the conclusion that encapsulation of perfume oil is a true alternative to conventional delivery systems and will very likely take a growing share of the future fine fragrance market.