Perfume is a mixture that contains aromatic substances, which can be natural essential oils or synthetic essences; a solvent that can be solid or liquid (alcohol in most cases) and a fixative, used to provide a pleasant and long-lasting aroma to different objects but mainly to the human body.

Essential oils are organic substances, liquid although sometimes solid, with a sharp odor and taste, irritating and even caustic. They can be distilled without decomposition, are not miscible in water but are soluble in alcohol and ether. They do not have the greasy and oily feel of fixed oils and do not produce soap. They dissolve fatty substances, wax, and resins.

Their chemical composition is very varied; they often contain hydrocarbons with the formula C₁₀H₁₆ or a multiple or submultiple and an oxygenated compound or camphor. Some contain esters, alcohols, phenols; others contain sulfur. They exist in all parts of plants but especially in the leaves and flowers.

Most essences already exist fully formed in the plant or vegetable; however, others do not preexist but are formed by the action of water on certain parts of the plant, through which certain elements found in the cells combine and determine the formation of the essence.³​

The fixatives that bind the various fragrances include balsams, ambergris and glandular secretions of civet cats and musk deer (these undiluted secretions have an unpleasant odor, but in alcoholic solution act as preservatives). Currently, these animals are protected in many countries, so perfume manufacturers use synthetic musk.

The amount of alcohol depends on the type of preparation it is intended for. Normally, the mixture is left to age for one year.