What is smell sensitivity?

One can describe scent sensitivity in two different ways. Scent sensitive as in being extra sensitive to scent which causes the scent to be experienced stronger, more intense and sometimes so strong that it triggers a physical reaction. Or as scent-sensitive for those who are more susceptible to scent, who feel stronger feelings of scents than the average person.

Now you might be wondering what an article about scent sensitivity is doing on a site that deals solely with scent? In fact, Remoair's founder, Martin, is scent sensitive (the latter version of the descriptions above). Part of our name ( Re dolence - fragrant) is also connected to the fact that fragrance must not take over, therefore many of our fragrances are much milder and more genuine. We have already passed a scent-sensitive nose that balanced the scents to perfection.

The most common form of smell sensitivity is the first condition we described. This means that a person reacts strongly to different scents, often in a way that differs from the reactions of the general population. For people who are sensitive to fragrances, fragrances can trigger a range of unpleasant physical and mental reactions, including headaches, dizziness, nausea and respiratory problems.

It is important to understand that fragrance sensitivity is not an allergy per se, although it can resemble allergic reactions. Instead, it is about a hypersensitivity to scents that can be genetically conditioned or arise due to factors such as health, environment and previous exposure. But that does not mean that the person who actually suffers from an allergy will probably also experience similar symptoms.

For many living with fragrance sensitivity, it can be challenging to navigate a world where scents are ubiquitous, from perfumes and cleaning products to perfumed products and environments. Understanding and respecting people's scent sensitivities is important to creating more inclusive and healthy environments for everyone.

The second version of olfactory sensitivity is the emphasis on the order "sensitivity" and its positive qualities that one has as sensitive to smell. It is a state where you are more receptive to scent and therefore can experience scents on a more sophisticated and deeper level. This type of scent sensitivity is often associated with the HSP (High Sensitive Person) personality trait.

For those of you who are sensitive to scents in this way, you can experience a more dynamic and broader mood of fragrance. It can vary from deep feelings and memory images when a scent evokes a scent memory. But it can also manifest itself as such a disturbing smell that you cannot let it go, for example the smell of garbage that others can easily sort out after a while is much more difficult for this type of smell sensitivity to "forget".

So you can describe these two types of scent sensitivity in slightly different ways. In general, the scent receptors get tired after a while and the brain can suppress a scent. In a person with olfactory sensitivity as in the first example, they do not tire as easily and are also more sensitive. This often leads to a more intense perception of the scent. In the same way for the sensitive in the second example, you usually then have the ability to control even if the receptors are not tired. But this can then vary from fragrance to fragrance.

How is one affected by scent sensitivity?

Smell sensitivity can have a significant impact on a person's well-being and daily life. Being smell sensitive means that you can experience a range of unpleasant physical and mental reactions when you are exposed to different smells. Here are some common symptoms and complaints that people who are sensitive to fragrance may suffer from:

• Headaches: Strong fragrances can trigger or worsen headaches in fragrance-sensitive individuals.
• Dizziness: The feeling of dizziness or vertigo may occur when exposed to unpleasant odors.
• Nausea: Fragrances can cause nausea and stomach discomfort in sensitive people.
• Respiratory problems: Some fragrances can irritate the airways and lead to coughing, shortness of breath or chest tightness.
• Overwhelming sensory impressions: Fragrances can overstimulate the sensory systems and lead to a feeling of overwhelm or overload.

These symptoms can vary in intensity and frequency depending on the individual's sensitivity and the type of fragrance to which they are exposed. Understanding and managing these reactions is critical to making life easier for people with fragrance sensitivity and creating a more supportive environment for them to live and work in.

Our view on scent sensitivity

Society's view of smell sensitivity has changed over time, but it's still a condition that many people don't know about or fully understand. For many, fragrances are a natural part of everyday life, and it can be difficult to imagine how stressful it can be for those who are sensitive to fragrances. Often, smell sensitivity is perceived as an exaggerated reaction or something that is not taken seriously, which can lead to sufferers feeling misunderstood or their needs not being respected.

It is important to raise awareness of scent sensitivity and its impact on the individual's quality of life. Understanding that this is a real and sometimes so strong sensitivity that it poses challenges is a first step towards creating a more inclusive and considerate environment. In many public environments such as workplaces, schools and public transport, rules and guidelines have begun to be introduced to reduce the use of strong fragrances. This includes, for example, having fragrance-free zones or encouraging the use of fragrance-free products.

To improve society's view of smell sensitivity, more educational efforts and increased awareness through campaigns and information dissemination are needed. When people understand how scent sensitivity affects individuals, we can be more likely to respect and support accommodations that allow everyone to feel comfortable and safe in different environments. Through increased understanding and consideration, we can together create a more inclusive society where everyone, regardless of sensitivity, can participate fully in everyday life.

How the brain handles smells and smell sensitivity

Our brain has an amazing ability to adapt to our surroundings, including smells. When we are exposed to a certain scent for an extended period of time, the brain tends to "suppress" or ignore that scent to prevent it from overwhelming our senses. This phenomenon is called odor threshold or olfactory adaptation and helps us focus on new and potentially more important odor cues in our environment. It was the phenomenon we talked about before, where the receptors get tired.

For scent-sensitive people, this mechanism often does not work as effectively. A scent-sensitive person's brain may have a harder time filtering out and getting used to scents, meaning they experience them as much stronger and more intrusive than others. This can lead to a constant overload of sensory input, which in turn can trigger the physical and mental reactions described earlier, such as headaches, dizziness and nausea.

The reduced ability to adapt to scents means that scent-sensitive people not only experience scents more intensely, but also that they may find it more difficult to recover from exposure. Where other people may quickly become accustomed to a perfume or cleaning product, fragrance-sensitive individuals may continue to be adversely affected as long as they are in close proximity to the source of the fragrance. This makes it even more important to create environments that are respectful and supportive for those with fragrance sensitivities, so they can avoid the negative effects of constant fragrance exposure.

Manage fragrance sensitivity in everyday life

Living with smell sensitivity can be a challenge, but there are strategies and measures that can make everyday life easier. First of all, it is important to identify which scents trigger discomfort and try to avoid them as much as possible. For those of you who are sensitive to scents, here are some tips on how you can improve your quality of life:

1. Use fragrance-free products: Choose products that are labeled fragrance-free, including soaps, shampoos, cleansers, and laundry detergents. This reduces the risk of exposure to strong chemical scents.

2. Create odor-free zones: The home and workplace can be designed to minimize odor exposure. Ask colleagues and family members to avoid using perfumed products in these areas.

3. Ventilation: Keep windows open and use air filtration systems to improve air quality and reduce the concentration of indoor odors.

4. Communication: Inform friends, family and colleagues about your scent sensitivity so they can help create a more considerate environment. Many people are unaware of how their scents affect others and are willing to adapt if they are told.

5. Plan ahead: When visiting new places, ask in advance if the environment is scent-free or if there is an option to adapt it to reduce the risk of discomfort. Many public places such as hospitals and schools have fragrance-free policies or may offer alternative solutions.

By taking these measures, you who are sensitive to scents can create a more comfortable and manageable everyday life. It's about finding the balance between protecting yourself from unpleasant smells and communicating your needs to those around you in a clear and respectful way. With the right strategy and support from those around you, life with scent sensitivity can be significantly easier to navigate.

Scent sensitivity and positive scents

It is a common misconception that fragrance-sensitive people cannot enjoy any fragrances at all. In fact, many scent-sensitive individuals appreciate certain scents and may find them pleasant and soothing. The key is to understand which scents tend to be problematic and which can be pleasant. Although our examples below are general, it's important to understand that this can vary greatly from person to person, whether or not you are sensitive to fragrance.

Three common scent triggers for scent-sensitive people:

1. Perfumes: Complex and strong perfumes are often difficult to tolerate for fragrance-sensitive people due to their intensity and chemical composition.
2. Cleaning products: Many cleaning products contain harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances that can be irritating.
3. Air fresheners: Aerosols and plug-in air fresheners can contain concentrated fragrances that quickly spread throughout the room and cause discomfort.

Three scents that scent-sensitive people can often appreciate:

1. Lavender: The natural and mild scent of lavender is known for its relaxing properties and is often well tolerated by people who are sensitive to scents.
2. Citrus: Light and fresh citrus scents, such as lemon or orange, can be refreshing and not as overpowering as synthetic scents.
3. Chamomile: Chamomile has a mild and soothing scent that many scent-sensitive individuals find pleasant and calming.

Knowing which scents are pleasant and tolerable can help scent-sensitive people still enjoy scents in their environment. It's about choosing natural and mild scents that don't overstimulate their senses. By avoiding known triggers and instead surrounding yourself with these more accepted scents, the life of a scent-sensitive person can become more enjoyable and harmonious.

If our scent-sensitive customers can give their suggestions

Already from the first fragrances, we have received feedback from a lot of customers who call themselves fragrance sensitive. There are scattered bursts, but the common denominator is that you experience our scents as more genuine than you are used to. You find that you normally think that the scents take over, but that our scents are mild and actually work well for these scent-sensitive individuals.

So what are our most common fragrances that our scent-sensitive customers choose?

- Le Foyer : A fresh scent that really puts its weight on sour notes but not the type that normally makes you think of cleaning products. It is genuine scent notes from verbena and blood orange that make the scent so unique.

- Tarragon & Ponderosa Pine : A sweet tangy scent with a mild spicy base. Several times this fragrance has received feedback that people have been surprised at how gentle the fragrance is for a scent-sensitive soul.

- Luminoese : A water dispenser that some scent-sensitive customers perceived as mild and fresh. The scent has its base of musk, which is otherwise a common trigger for those sensitive to scents. The same applies to top notes from white lilies and lily of the valley, which are often perceived as strong perfume scents. But in this combination, a mild and refreshing combination is created.

- Coffee Bean : A scent with so much feeback from scent-sensitive people. We've been told "I don't buy scented candles anymore, but when I found this scent I completely changed my mind". It has been thought that it is impossible to have fragrance at home, but a gentle aroma of roasted coffee and dark chocolate is the way to go for a scent-sensitive person!

And finally, we would like to share with you an event that happened just a few days ago. We were visited by a reporter who told us in advance that he suffered from asthma and had a hard time with smells. In our studio, it can really smell a lot. We organized the meeting outside the studio in the sunshine. But it then turned out that the person in question ventured in and, despite asthma and smell sensitivity, found a scented candle that the person loved.

If you want help buying fragrance as a scent-sensitive person, you are welcome to write to us in the chat or email us at customercare@remoair.com and we will help you.