CHLOROPHYLL

Chlorophyll in perfumery is a vivid green note that captures the raw, life-giving essence of crushed leaves, fresh-cut grass, and the snap of plant stems. It exudes an intensely natural aroma—green, slightly bitter, and cool—with a moist, almost metallic undertone that evokes the scent of photosynthetic energy in action. More abstract than floral or fruity, Chlorophyll lends a deeply vegetal freshness that brings realism, sharpness, and brightness to compositions. Typically used as a top or heart note, it is a key player in green florals, fougères, and botanical creations that aim to evoke nature in its most vital state.

History & Production: While chlorophyll is the natural pigment responsible for the green color in plants, the “chlorophyll note” in perfumery is not derived directly from the pigment itself. Instead, perfumers replicate its sharp, leafy scent using a combination of green aldehydes, cis-3-hexenol (leaf alcohol), galbanum, and crushed-herb accords. Popularized in mid-20th-century green chypres and revived in modern naturalistic fragrances, the Chlorophyll note brings a sense of purity and plantlike vitality. When paired with florals, woods, or aquatic notes, it enhances a fragrance with lush verdancy—conveying the cool breath of a forest, a dew-covered garden, or the living pulse of chlorophyll-rich air.