Since we have been receiving many queries as to why we, the International Perfume Foundation (IPF), has chosen not to certify natural perfumers who use isolates, we have chosen to bring more clarification on the topic.
After consultation with IPF Scientific Director Henk Meijerink, MSc and a Committee of well-respected Natural Perfumers, the International Perfume Foundation (IPF) has developed the following position on the use of fragrance Isolates:
A natural isolate is created by processing a compound to the point where there is only one single odour molecule present.
In Natural Perfumery, we consider the whole botanical raw material to be important, the totem of the plant. Power and vitality exists in wholeness and the act of separating molecules from each other creates a loss of plant's beneficial power for humans.
An isolate, while being a modified plant process, does not add significant value to a perfume. Instead, it tends to diminish the overall quality and essence of the plant it originates from.
Regarding sustainability: if a natural isolate is extracted from a natural raw material, it is not sustainable to isolate a molecule and to waste so much raw material to use such a minimal quantity for a perfumery that claims to be natural!
On Certification Standards for Natural Perfumers IPF has to take the position of ensuring 100% natural at all times, therefore, IPF accepted the recommendation of the IPF Certification Compliance Standards Committee that no isolates, neither natural nor synthetic are acceptable.
After consultation with IPF Scientific Director Henk Meijerink, MSc and a Committee of well-respected Natural Perfumers, the International Perfume Foundation (IPF) has developed the following position on the use of fragrance Isolates:
A natural isolate is created by processing a compound to the point where there is only one single odour molecule present.
In Natural Perfumery, we consider the whole botanical raw material to be important, the totem of the plant. Power and vitality exists in wholeness and the act of separating molecules from each other creates a loss of plant's beneficial power for humans.
An isolate, while being a modified plant process, does not add significant value to a perfume. Instead, it tends to diminish the overall quality and essence of the plant it originates from.
Regarding sustainability: if a natural isolate is extracted from a natural raw material, it is not sustainable to isolate a molecule and to waste so much raw material to use such a minimal quantity for a perfumery that claims to be natural!
On Certification Standards for Natural Perfumers IPF has to take the position of ensuring 100% natural at all times, therefore, IPF accepted the recommendation of the IPF Certification Compliance Standards Committee that no isolates, neither natural nor synthetic are acceptable.
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