Top Personal Care Fragrances in 2007

2007 smelled great … in new product development at least. Worldwide, manufacturers added light, joyful fragrances to household and personal care products to entice shoppers. With aromas inspired by nature, the top five new product fragrances of 2007 delicately echoed general consumer trends toward a more natural lifestyle. (Worth noting, the top fragrance for household and personal care products in 2007 was in fact “unfragranced,” the most "natural" fragrance of all.) Without further ado, Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD) reveals the top scents for non-food new product development in 2007.

1. Lemon

Lemon is a common, popular scent for household cleaning products, especially those used in the kitchen and bath. Its bright, citrusy aroma brings an automatic connotation of clean and pure to anything it touches. Dongguan Huaxing Cosmetic took a leap in China, however, by reformulating its Shenbao High-Effective Whitening Detergent Powder with a lemon fragrance. Claiming to penetrate into clothing to remove stubborn stains and dirt, the product promises to wash and whiten clothes with a rich, lightly scented lather.

2. Lavender

Relaxing and inherently calming, lavender is a very familiar scent in body and personal care products. It is an essential oil with a long history of soothing tired, over-worked minds and bodies. EO put this longevity to use in Canada with its organic, plant-based hand sanitizer. Moisturizing and sanitizing skin with no need for water, EO Hand Sanitizer is a more natural alternative to chemical-laden hand sanitizers. It contains an organic lavender fragrance.

3. Fresh

Somewhat non-descript, but nonetheless enticing, the “fresh” scent has become quite popular in household and personal care new product development. Promising a light breath of life through its name alone, the fresh scent is especially popular in deodorants. French brand Lavera Body Spa features a Déodorant Spray Fraîcheur (Fresh Deodorant Spray) that is said to neutralize body odor. Containing essential oils such as hop, linden tree, green tea and lemon balm, the deodorant spray seems a light way to remove bad smells without adding heavy fragrance.

4. Citrus

Similar to lemon, the joyful aroma of citrus seems to brighten any mood or environment. Thus, it seems almost perfectly suited to the shower, where a citrus-scented conditioner can awaken even the most tired minds. In Columbia, Schwarzkopf Citré Shine Fresh Fusion Moisture Replenish Conditioner contains citrus vita-actives to infuse hair with energy. Shine Fresh Fusion Moisture Replenish is also available in a shampoo for a fully awakening experience.

5. Flower

No flowers in winter? No more. By adding floral scents to non-food products, manufacturers have all but ensured that consumers can recapture the joy of freshly cut flowers in even the worst of winter weather. As the fifth top fragrance from 2007, floral aromas often appeared in household and bath products. Glade featured a Car Fresh Chic Car Air Freshener with a “fresh blended floral fragrance” in New Zealand. Claiming capture the clean freshness of a dewy morning, the car air freshener promised to circulate its “chic” scent throughout the car for up to 45 days.

The Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD) tracks new product launches, trends and innovations internationally. For additional information, call Mintel International at 1-312-932-0600.

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