Many people don't know it, but the use of perfume actually dates back to more than 4,000 years ago. In fact, archeologists have uncovered ancient perfumes in Pyrgos, Cyprus that were a part of a perfumery factory that dates back to 4,000 years ago. Within the 43,000 square foot factory, archeologists also unearthed mixing bowls, 60 distilling stills, perfume bottles, and funnels.
During the ancient times of perfume making, many of the same additives found in today's perfumes were used. Herbs and spices were commonly used ingredients.
Some of the most frequently used ingredients included:
Unlike modern times, however, flowers were not common ingredients in ancient perfumes.
Flowers did not become used in perfumes until the early 11th century when Avicenna, a Persian chemist and doctor, began to extract the oil from flowers in a process called distillation. This procedure, which is still used today, made it possible to extract the scent of a flower directly from the flower itself.
Avicenna performed his first experiments with the rose. By distilling the petals of the rose rather than crushing petals or herbs and mixing them with oil, he was able to create a more delicate scent. This new scent became popular almost immediately.
By the 14th century, the art of creating perfume had found its way to Europe. These first perfumes were largely influenced by Arabic knowledge in the area, but perfume as we know it today was actually introduced by Hungarians.
The first scented oils to be blended in an alcohol solution, which became known as Hungary Water, was made in 1370 under orders of Queen Elizabeth of Hungary. From here, it spread through to Renaissance Italy. By the 16th century, Rene le Florentin, the personal perfumer of Catherine de Medicis, had carried these Italian perfumes to France.
The work of Rene le Florentin was kept top secret. In fact, he had a laboratory secretly connected directly to Catherine de Medicis's apartment. In this way, he formulas could not be stolen. Soon, France became the main hub for cosmetic and perfume manufacture for all of Europe. In addition, the cultivation of flowers for use in perfume because a major industry in south France.
By the 18th century, aromatic plants could be found growing throughout France's Grasse region. These plants were grown to serve as ingredients of perfumes made in France as well as to help with the growing western perfumery industry. Today, France still remains at the center of the perfume industry within Europe.
During the time of the Renaissance, the royalty and the wealthy mostly used perfumes in order to disguise their body odors, which were common because of the sanitary practices of the time. Today, perfumes are worn simply as a means of creating a unique and special scent that is alluring to others while also giving the wearer of the perfume a boost in confidence.
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