The fragrance specialist has announced the launch of Aquascent, a new vegan, water-based carrier for fine fragrance applications.
Crafted from a proprietary formula based on biodegradable materials, Aquascent is designed, according to International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), to deliver enhanced olfactive performance and visual clarity while supporting a more sustainable approach to fragrance formulation.
Aquascent supports fragrance loads from 10% to up to 25%, compared with up to 15% for most comparable systems. Achieving this level of fragrance concentration in water-based formulations can be challenging, as the fragrance concentrate can cause products to become cloudy when mixed with water.
According to IFF, Aquascent overcomes this issue, enabling brands to create high-performance, visually clear fragrances. Formulated without intentionally added ethanol, preservatives or silicone, the technology features a non-sticky formulation with documented skin-hydrating properties, delivering a comfortable skin feel aligned with current consumer expectations.
Aquascent also offers a more resource-efficient approach to transportation. The carrier technology can be supplied as a concentrate alone, allowing fragrance brands to add water during final production rather than transporting it as part of the formula. By reducing the volume and weight of material shipped, this compact format can help lower CO2 emissions from shipping.
“Aquascent reflects our continued investment in new scent technologies and formats that create compelling fragrance experiences while supporting the industry’s growing focus on sustainability,” said Sabrya Meflah, president of Fine Fragrance for IFF Scent. “This technology illustrates our ambition to set a new standard for how fragrance is created, delivered and experienced.”
The market for water-based fragrance continues to grow as leading brands launch new water-based products and consumers embrace new scent formats and experiences. IFF web-listening data shows that worldwide Google searches for “water-based perfumes” increased 18% year-to-date, while related TikTok content has generated more than 15 million views.
