Why We No Longer Smell Our Own Perfume, and How to Remedy It!

When we are used to often wearing the same perfume, it is common to no longer smell it a few hours after application. Fortunately, this does not mean it no longer has a scent! In this article, discover all about olfactory adaptation thanks to a new question drawn from the Master Parfums olfactory game.

Why Can’t I Smell My Perfume Anymore?

It is through a question from the “Brands, Perfumes, Tips” category of the Master Parfums game that we come across this expert-level question. It is a true or false: “Over time, you can stop smelling your perfume.”

So, what do you think—true or false?

Of course, the answer is “true.” It is even a very common sensation when you have been wearing a perfume for a long time. You then have the impression that it is like a second skin and that it is part of us. It becomes part of our personality, a little like an olfactory ambassador.

The Reasons for Olfactory Adaptation

Through habituation, the nose gets used to the smells that are part of our daily life. On the other hand, other people can indeed smell them.

It is the same with the smells of the house or the car. We always smell something at other people’s homes, but no longer at our own. On returning from a long period of holiday, that is when we notice the smell of our own home.

Olfactory adaptation develops through permanent stimulation with the same smell: the olfactory receptors get used to it and then classify it as commonplace. In the case of a perfume, the brain will end up associating it with your own body odours.

If the olfactory receptors mask familiar smells, it is in order to be able to stay alert to new smells that could put us in danger. Smell is indeed a primitive sense that was necessary for survival.

Finally, this capacity for adaptation exists for all the senses. For example, when we live next to a train station we no longer pay attention to the trains; when a loved one has a tic we end up no longer seeing it, just as we get used to a new piece of jewellery that can be bothersome at first.

Perfumes with a Fleeting Sillage

Sometimes, it is possible to no longer smell one’s perfume because of its fleeting sillage. This is the case, for example, with eaux de Cologne or hesperidic perfumes.

The latter reveal the intensity of their citrus notes during the first moments, before they fade quickly. The materials used to create these fresh, sparkling notes generally have low tenacity.

If your perfume belongs to these families, it is entirely normal that you no longer smell its scent a few hours after application.

However, to make up for this drawback, perfumers now dress these notes in musks that help to fix them. (We recommend you read our article on white musks.)

How to Smell Your Perfume Again?

There are a few solutions if you want to smell your perfume’s scent again. For example, you can take a break from time to time. To do this, you can alternate with another perfume, or quite simply stop wearing perfume for a while.

Also remember to hydrate your skin well, because well-hydrated skin is a promise of good diffusion of the perfume.

When you perfume yourself, be careful not to diffuse directly on the chest. This is what risks saturating your nose more quickly. Choose instead pulse points, such as the wrist, the crook of the elbow, behind the ears or the shoulders. That way, when you move, you will be able to smell your perfume again.

Finally, you can perfume your clothes rather than your skin, or your hair by spraying onto the brush.

What Is Anosmia?

Anosmia is a term that has become better known because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Indeed, this word means the loss of smell. This anosmia can be total or partial, permanent or temporary.

It is a disorder that can be present from birth or occur later. Anosmia occurs through alteration of the mucous membrane or when the olfactory nerve is affected. It can concern a single nostril or both.

The Causes of Anosmia

Anosmia can have several causes. It is important to consult a doctor in order to make a diagnosis.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of the possible causes of anosmia:

• Obstruction of the nasal passages: in the case of rhinitis, sinusitis or a deviation, for example.
• Damaged olfactory nerve: olfactory information is then no longer transmitted. This can come from tobacco consumption or the taking of certain medications, from liver problems, or from viruses such as flu or Covid-19.

Are There Treatments for Anosmia?

It all depends on the origin of the anosmia. If it is an inflammation, treatment with medication can help cure it.

In some cases, a surgical operation is necessary, notably if the anosmia is linked to the presence of a tumour.

It may unfortunately be possible that the sense of smell never returns to its full power following anosmia, whether partial or total.

In all cases, it is recommended to begin olfactory rehabilitation with a specialised speech therapist.

The scented pencils of the Master Parfums Olfactory Game-Book are, moreover, used and recommended by speech therapists as part of their post-anosmia olfactory therapy or to stimulate memory through smells in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.

To discover even more about the fascinating world of perfumery, discover the Master Parfums game with family or friends.