Uncovering the Mystery of Scented Soap: The Science Behind the Short-Lived Aroma

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When a new bar of soap is opened, it often fills the bathroom with its scent by the end of the day. This phenomenon is attributed to the volatile compounds in the soap, which are likely to include perfumes that are evenly mixed throughout the bar. These fragrances are more potent when the soap is fresh, as they evaporate quickly, contributing to the strong scent. Over time and with use, these volatile chemicals dissipate, leading to a diminished fragrance. There is no indication that enzymes are applied to the soap to enhance this effect; rather, it is the natural properties of the perfume and its volatility that create the noticeable aroma.
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OK, I never worried or thought on this till yesterday, and I would like an answer if someone knows.

When you open a new brand name bar of soap, by the end of the day, the whole bathroom smells like that soap.

Is there an enzyme applied to the outside to make it do this? Because it really only happens with a new bar, and the effect is short lived, so it seems to be washed off when you use it initially. Or is there a perfume applied to the bar to improve the sale of the item?

Thank you for any answers.
 
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Perfumes (if any) are evenly mixed into the soap mass of the bar, but the scents are relatively volatile chemicals.
They'll evaporate over time - most quickly when the bar is new.
 

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