Tapping into a skincare- and ingredient-conscious scent, consumer, water-based perfumes are making small splashes in the fragrance pond. Mainstream launches like Dior Sauvage Eau Forte or Guerlain’s L’Eau Rose omitted alcohol. Buly offers a range of water-based perfumes, while Hermetica, founded in 2018, has built its entire business on alcohol-free scents. When Bella Hadid launched her fragrance line, Orebella, the formulas were also alcohol-free. In July 2024, Xerjoff released Newcleus, an ethanol-free perfume based on Microcaps Perfume Pearls' technology. The liquid oil core microcapsules, housed in a natural alginate shell (sourced from seaweed), break when sprayed on the skin to release their fragrant content. In September 2024, Velvetvelo released water-based, and microbiome-preserving eau de parfums. Exploring the formulation differences and potential benefits and drawbacks of this format, BeautyMatter takes a deep dive into the aquatic territory.Origins of the Alcohol-Free Fragrances CategoryAlcohol-free fragrances are not new. Especially for halal beauty consumers, working without the ingredient is an important priority—but it doesn’t end there. “The interest started 15 years ago, and some big brands launched it. It has never taken off big time because depending on the mist sprayer, the droplets seemed to be too wet,” Ginger King, founder and CEO of Grace Kingdom Beauty, tells BeautyMatter. “Yes, consumers perceive it is more ‘natural’ when there's no alcohol, but they need to accept the wetness just like sulfate-free shampoos have less foams. It takes some learning curves.