Attars are different when compared to perfumes

Attars are botanical extracts distilled usually over a sandalwood oil that become better with time and are left unadulterated. They are very strong and very potent and are dabbed on the pulse points of ones body. Colognes and perfumes are fragrance oils and synthetic chemicals mixed with alcohol and a fixative. The different types of fragrances are determined by the amount of oils in the fragrance with the order being as listed…

After shave, eau de cologne, eau de toilette, eau de parfum, parfum, parfum extrait and then attars.

Attars are usually very costly and are usually based out of the Middle East or India.

Firstly, there is a difference between the constituents of a perfume and attar. A perfumes is a mixture of fixatives, aroma compounds, essential oils, fragrances and solvents. Basically perfumes are adulterated with chemicals to provide a smooth scent. Perfumes contain ethanol, acetaldehyde, methylene chloride, acetone, ethyl acetate and more. As perfumes are mixed with chemicals it has a lot of drawbacks too.

Attars are different when compared to perfumes. Though their primary usage is the same i.e. giving out a pleasant scent to and from the user. It consists of essential oils from botanical sources. These oils are extracted using hydro or steam distillation. Attar oils are generally distilled using a wood base like sandal wood after which they are left to age. The oil gets better with age. Attars are basically extracts of herbs, spices, flowers and many other natural materials used without any adulteration.