Why make perfumes with only natural rather than synthetic components?
According to the National Academy of Sciences, 95 percent of chemicals used in fragrances today are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum, including known toxins capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions. These chemicals aren’t good for our health, and they aren’t good for the environment when we wash them off our bodies. Perfume has been crafted and worn for thousands of years, but only since the 20th century and the advent of synthetic fragrance has it become a potential trigger for asthma, migraines, and a whole host of other chemical sensitivities. For Laurie, perfume is about direct experience of the earth’s most luxurious treasures, and her creations reflect her profound sense of awe and wonder for the natural world. There are hundreds of molecular components that make up the lush, complex, particular scent of Jasmine Grandiflorum. Why isolate only the most active of those molecules and synthesize it as a cheap, standar
