A good scent of what you like

THE major perfume houses are going all out this Christmas to get our attention, but while Brad Pitt pontificates in black and white for Chanel and Scarlett Johansson pouts for Dolce & Gabbana, fragrance has another thing on its mind.

A report from the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Protection on the toxicity of fragrance ingredients was published in July, signalling not only a PR disaster, but the possibility that some of the world’s most famous scents may almost cease to exist altogether if certain ingredients are banned. And if you think it’s all about a cocktail of chemicals, think again: one of the ingredients in the firing line for causing contact allergies is the naturally occurring tree moss, found in high-profile fragrances, including Chanel No 5.

“It is the death of perfume if this continues, Sylvie Jourdet of the French Perfumiers Society told Vogue. “The more you use natural ingredients, the more there is a risk of allergies. Lemon, jasmine and bergamot all contain allergenics.”