Aldehydic Fragrances

Aldehydic fragrances are the signature of classic 20th-century luxury perfumery, defined by a sparkling, soapy, almost metallic effervescence that lifts every note it touches. Aldehydes are organic molecules that occur naturally in trace amounts but were first used in concentration by Ernest Beaux in Chanel No. 5 (1921), giving that legendary fragrance its champagne-like opening. Before that moment, no fragrance had ever smelled quite so bright, so clean, and so otherworldly at the same time.