FragraGenomics: A New Perspective on Personalised Perfume

FragraGenomics is a pioneering startup, with the aim of introducing the science of skin microbiome into the world of fragrance personalization. 

Why do perfumes smell different on different people?

Perfumes interact with your skin’s chemistry. Factors like skin pH, oiliness, moisture, and even what you eat can influence how a perfume evolves on your body. But here's the missing piece: your skin microbiome — the bacteria living on your skin — plays a strong role in affecting all these factors. So, two people wearing the same perfume can experience different scents.

What is the skin microbiome?

The skin microbiome is a collection of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes that naturally live on your skin. Surprisingly, your body has more microbial cells than human cells. While we’ve studied the gut microbiome extensively, research into the skin microbiome is still growing. The skin microbiome helps maintain healthy skin and also plays a role in body odour and perfume performance.

How do skin bacteria affect how a perfume works?

Skin bacteria influence your skin’s pH, oiliness, and moisture — all of which affect how perfumes perform. Some bacteria even produce their own scents (volatile organic compounds), that contributes to the body odour,which can interact with perfume molecules. Others can break down fragrance components using enzymes. So, the scent you experience is often a blend of your perfume and your personal microbiome.

Is there a test to study the skin microbiome?

Yes, it’s called metagenomic skin microbiome testing. It’s a detailed PCR-based test that helps identify the types and abundance of bacteria on your skin. However, it is expensive and takes time, so it’s not meant for everyone. It may be useful for fragrance connoisseurs or individuals facing consistent issues with perfume performance.

Should everyone get tested before choosing a perfume?

Not at all. Most people don’t need testing. We already have useful insights from global studies that show which bacteria are dominant on various parts of the body — like Corynebacterium in the armpits, Cutibacterium on the face and neck, and coagulase-negative staphylococci on dry areas like the wrist. Using this knowledge, we can offer good guidance without testing. Testing adds one more layer — it’s optional.

Is perfume just a luxury product?

Not really. Perfume is widely used — 60% to 70% of people globally use it, and around 44% use it daily. It is more than luxury. Perfume is about identity, self-expression, and emotion. Some perfumes are expensive, but personalization helps you choose wisely, reduce waste, and get better value for money.

How much perfume gets wasted?

Many people own 5 to 10 bottles of perfume, but regularly use only one or two. That means most bottles go unused or discarded. Every year, millions of partly used perfume bottles end up in landfills. This not only wastes money but also adds to environmental pollution, especially from synthetic perfumes made with petrochemical derivatives.

What’s the difference between natural and synthetic perfumes?

Natural perfumes are made from essential oils and extracts — but they’re resource-intensive. For example, it takes around 5,000 kg of rose petals to produce 1 kg of rose oil, and nearly 6 million jasmine buds to make 1 kg of jasmine oil. That’s why natural perfumes are expensive.
On the other hand, synthetic perfumes are cheaper, often made from petrochemicals, and make up over 90% of modern perfumery. That doesn’t mean they’re bad. Good quality synthetics are safer than poor quality natural oils. The key is to use good quality perfumes that suit your skin and style — whether natural or synthetic.

What kind of perfume do you prefer personally?

I use both natural and synthetic perfumes. Personally, I enjoy high-quality natural attars and essential oil-based perfumes, but I also use well-formulated synthetics. The key is to ensure it suits my skin and doesn’t cause side effects. Natural perfumes are elegant but expensive. A blend of natural and synthetic ingredients is often ideal.

Why is a doctor working on perfumes?

I’m Dr. Abdul Ghafur, an infectious diseases doctor and microbiome specialist. Perfume has always been a passion for me. But I also noticed that certain perfumes never worked well on my skin. That led me to study why — and the answer was in my microbiome. I discovered that woody and musky notes worked best for me, based on the chemistry and bacterial makeup of my skin. That curiosity evolved into a scientific exploration. I founded FragraGenomics to help others benefit from this emerging science — to personalize fragrance using microbiome insights.

Why does this idea matter?

Because fragrance is powerful. Scent is more emotionally connected to memory and feelings than any other human sense — stronger than sound, sight, or taste. Using a perfume that works well for you is not only satisfying — it’s part of your identity. Personalization also helps you reduce health side effects, avoid wastage, and make better, environmentally conscious choices. That’s the future of fragrance.

From the desk of Dr. Abdul Ghafur, Director, FragraGenomics