Customized essential oil process – fragrance imitation process and precautions

Recently, I compiled some questions and concerns from aromatherapy brand clients regarding the customization of essential oils for aromatherapy diffusers: How can fragrances be reformulated to suit diffuser devices? How can the accuracy of customized fragrances be ensured? And how can we guarantee that clients can verify our full capabilities at the lowest cost and risk, without committing to large orders?

What is the process?

First, you need to provide our sales representative with a description of the scent or send them a sample of at least 20ml, specifying concrete requirements such as “desired cost control within XXX USD/kg” and “scent lasting for X hours in a XX square meter space.”

The sample will first need to be analyzed using a chromatogram. Then, the artificial fragrance – a finely crafted artificial fragrance – will require three revisions before finalization.

Which three revisions?

• First version (skeleton imitation):
  Objective: It can quickly match the main skeletal components analyzed by GC-MS and reproduce about 70-80% of the core olfactory sensation.
  Detail: The focus is on the impact of the top notes and the main characteristics of the middle notes. Cost is the primary consideration, and perfumers will use more cost-effective alternative fragrance ingredients at this stage.
• Second Edition (Refined Details):
  Objective: Fine-tuning is used to match headspace volatile components and post-adjustment base that are difficult for instruments to fully capture.
  Detail: The key adjustments are to the fragrance’s “diffusion,” “roundness,” and “longevity.” Perfumers, with their experience, need to add trace amounts of “modifying fragrance ingredients” to enhance its naturalness or uniqueness.
• Third Edition (Application Final Version):
  Objective: The test was conducted and the final calibration was performed in the aroma diffuser base liquid.
  Key details: This is the most easily overlooked but crucial step. Fragrances smell completely different in alcohol than in dedicated volatile liquids or wax bases. Their volatilization profile at specific temperatures, color stability, and compatibility with packaging materials must be tested.
  Adapter diffuser: We will put the blended essential oils into the aroma diffuser to test the diffusion area, fragrance duration, and spray effect until they are perfectly compatible with the diffuser.
  Stability testing: Any fragrance must undergo aging testing in the final product to ensure that the color and odor do not change adversely within the shelf life.

First principle:

Direct copying of patented original fragrances is strictly prohibited. The goal is to analyze and extract the core olfactory characteristics of the target fragrance (such as “fresh citrus + aquatic notes + white musk”), and create new products that are similar in overall feel but different in specific formulas.

What will the final similarity be?

Even top-quality imitation fragrances can only achieve 90%-95% similarity, and their performance may vary in different bases (such as volatile liquids and waxes), requiring application testing.

What is the cost of custom-made fragrance essential oils?

The sample you send us includes a sample fee and express delivery fee, estimated at $148 USD. This is the fee you need to pay to the courier company and the sample supplier.

If you can order at least 25 liters, we will replicate and imitate the sample free of charge. We will charge you an advance fee of 800 CNY for testing and customization, and 200 CNY for express delivery, totaling $148 USD.

First-time customers who pay $148 USD also enjoy the right to three free re-scent modifications if they are not satisfied with the scent.

When you confirm your order, you can apply for a refund to ensure that you can verify our full capabilities at the lowest cost and risk, without committing to large orders.

• This fee does not include formula intellectual property fees.

Important notes for sending samples to us:

Custom-designed fragrance target samples must be unused, fresh, and well-sealed products. Used or improperly stored samples will have altered headspace composition, leading to analytical distortion.

How long does it take to make a fragrance?

It takes 5-15 days, depending on the actual situation and complexity. We will send you the replicated fragrance essential oil, and we will also need to allow 7-15 days for shipping to get it to you, so it will take a total of 12-30 days to get it to you.

Sample delivery

To increase the success rate of fragrance selection, we may flexibly send you one or more samples for confirmation.

Please communicate with our sales representative in advance if you have any special requirements, such as: ① a summary of the chromatographic analysis report; ② a record of sensory descriptions revised three times; ③ the final application test report; ④ preliminary compliance review opinions for the target market.

• rights and interests: Clearly define the ownership of the intellectual property rights of the formula generated at this stage (usually belonging to the customer after payment), and promise that the formula will be reserved for the customer during a priority purchasing period (e.g., 6 months).

Confirm and verify the information

After you receive the sample and confirm the fragrance, our sales representative will help you obtain a complete Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS). If necessary, we can also request an IFRAC Certificate of Conformity and a fragrance specification sheet for import customs clearance and market supervision.

View more essential oils: https://wholesalediffuser.com/essential-oil-wholesale