What Do Marine Notes Smell Like in Perfume?

Marine accords can range from soft clean water to a powerful ocean-breeze effect. IFF describes materials with wet fresh-air, sea-breeze, green, woody and balsamic qualities, while Givaudan’s Ultrazur can add an ozonic marine character with a slightly ambery side.

Marine notes are usually built from laboratory-created aquatic, ozonic, mineral and floral materials. Natural seaweed extracts may sometimes be included, but they are not required. The formula depends on whether the perfumer wants clean water, salty air, wet stone or a darker oceanic effect.

Marine notes are used in aquatic, citrus, aromatic, floral and woody fragrances. They blend well with bergamot, lime, lavender, violet leaf, sea salt, seaweed, musk, ambergris-style materials and pale woods. They can make a perfume feel open and refreshing or give woods a damp coastal quality.