Incense sticks, cones, coils and powders all smell differently based on their country and culture of origin. Historically, they only smelled of the fragrance ingredients that made up the body of the incense, but nowadays their aromas range from aquatic to fresh, fruity, gourmand and everything in between!
Historical Roots
Classic incense fragrances often have rich historical significance with ingredients typically derived from resources local to the cultures making them. In ancient China, incense were made using sandalwood, cassia, and cinnamon, among other herbs and botanical ingredients. These components gave the incense their signature scents. Across the globe, Native Americans prepared incense using sage and cedar. All of these scents are all still wildly popular in the incense industry because of their cultural significance and pleasant aromas. Other traditional incense fragrances include resins like dragonsblood, frankincense, and agarwood, as well as botanicals like patchouli and rose. These all feature rich and deep scents that many still instantly associate with incense nowadays. Although many of the natural resources used to scent incense are now endangered due to overharvesting, they can still be recreated using fragrance oils developed by chemists in labs across the globe. This synthesis allows us to enjoy traditional incense fragrances without further depleting natural resources. When creating incense for your line, it’s a good idea to include at least some of these traditional aromas because of their significance and popularity in the market.
- Frankincense
- Myrrh
- Oudh
- Galbanum
- Nag Champa
- Patchouli
- Sandalwood
- Agarwood
- Dragon’s Blood
Modern Innovations
Because incense are used as a method of scenting spaces and sometimes masking odors, fresh and floral fragrances are widely sought after. Rose, lavender, ylang ylang, and jasmine make for great incense fragrances. Likewise, citruses such as orange, lemon, and bergamot are bright and clean smelling. Additionally, it’s thought that these fragrances can act as natural insect repellents that work by masking the smell that attracts bugs. Of course, modern fragrance technology allows you to fragrance your incense however you please. It’s not uncommon to see incense with a variety of modern aromas alongside those that are considered more traditional. Aquatic and ozonic fragrances are popular due to their clean and fresh notes. Fruits and gourmands are also options with limitless opportunities, whether you prefer fresh and crisp apple or decadent birthday cake. It’s not uncommon to find these fragrances offered alongside more traditional scents where incense are sold.
- Berries
- Apple
- Cotton Candy
- Fresh Rain
- Brown Sugar
- Tropical Fruits
- Evergreen
Targeted Marketing
When scenting your incense, consider your intended consumer. Do you want to market your incense to those seeking deep historical meaning or perhaps even religious connotations? If this is the case, research the traditional scents in which incense were historically created in order to develop products that communicate this significance to the customer. Maybe your target consumers are those of younger generations who like alternative methods of scenting their space. These customers will probably want a wide variety of fragrances to choose from, both traditional and modern. Alternatively, you may want to develop innovative incense fragrances that cannot be purchased elsewhere in order to appeal to a niche market. Regardless of your ideal clientele, conduct market research and look into brands that represent the brand image you are trying to convey.
Fragrance Formulations
Aside from fragrance profiles, you must also consider whether they’re formulated for incense or not. Because incense sticks, cones, and coils produce smoke as they burn, it’s essential that the fragrances you pick will not put off excessive soot. This can be mitigated by searching for incense-specific fragrances – you can find fragrances approved for use in incense on our webstore. They’re formulated with clean burning raw materials that make for a much more enjoyable user experience when the incense is lit. As always, keep your customers in mind throughout your production process. It’s a good idea to test an incense or two from each batch for quality control purposes. This will allow you to ensure each incense burns steadily with an impactful fragrance and no black smoke.
