Quick question: Have you ever caught a whiff of something that sent your mind spiraling back to a childhood memory? Maybe it was the smell of a freshly peeled orange or a flower present on walks. Scents have this way of connecting people to emotions and moments like nothing else.
But here’s the problem: Many of those smells people love might disappear. Climate change and other factors threaten nearly half of the world’s flowering plants. Scary thought, yes—but that’s why this Scent Surrections trend is such a big deal.
Researchers can now recreate the smells of rare or extinct plants using crazy-smart science, like DNA extraction and biotechnology. This trend is part preservation, part innovation, and it’s already shaking up the fragrance world.
What’s cool is that this isn’t some fantasy for the future—it’s happening now. And as a retailer, this could be the best chance to bring something fresh and meaningful to your customers.
Keep reading to discover everything to know about the Scent Surrection trend for 2025.
Table of Contents
What’s the deal with lab-made fragrances?
3 things to consider before jumping into this trend
1. Sustainability is still a major driver
2. Getting over the “Lab-Made” stereotype
3. Understand how stories help sell this trend
Tips to help retailers jump into this trend
1. Find the right partners
2. Expand the product line
3. Educate customers
4. Highlight the stories
5. Be honest about the process.
Bottom line
What’s the deal with lab-made fragrances?
Okay, so how does this work? Every plant has a specific “scent recipe” hidden in its DNA. Scientists are figuring out how to read and replicate those recipes in a lab. So even if a flower hasn’t bloomed for centuries, its smell can live on. It’s like Jurassic Park, but less terrifying and way better smelling.
Take the Mêdog lemon, for example. This ancient fruit from Tibet has a floral, citrusy aroma that modern lemons lack. Companies like Ginkgo Bioworks are using DNA from plants like this to create fragrances that are 100% authentic—but without needing to harvest real plants.
Retailers can tap into this trend by selling perfumes, candles, or skincare products from scents that tell a story. Imagine the marketing campaign saying, “This scent was inspired by a flower that hasn’t existed in the wild for hundreds of years.” That’s the kind of detail people remember—and buy into.
3 things to consider before jumping into this trend
1. Sustainability is still a major driver
Sustainability is one of the major reasons why this trend matters. Harvesting natural ingredients to make fragrances sounds great in theory, but it’s rough on the environment. Think about it—entire ecosystems are affected when manufacturers over-harvest plants. Plus, as these resources get scarcer, prices go up. It’s a lose-lose situation.
Lab-made scents flip that equation. They’re more sustainable, less expensive to produce, and they don’t rely on fragile ecosystems. Companies like Sensegen are proving that these fragrances can smell just as good (if not better) than traditional ones.
Here’s the kicker: Customers, especially younger shoppers, care about sustainability more than ever. They want to know the products they’re buying don’t come at the cost of the planet. And retailers can use this to their advantage by offering fragrances that smell amazing and save the environment—a win-win situation.
2. Getting over the “Lab-Made” stereotype
It’s time to address the elephant in the room. Some people hear “lab-made” and immediately think “fake.” It’s not their fault—it’s how people are wired to believe. Natural seems better, even though that’s not always the case.
The truth is these fragrances are identical to the real thing. Scientists copy the molecules that make up a natural smell. So it’s as real as it gets. So, how do retailers explain that to customers?
For starters, keep it simple. Something like, “This fragrance smells exactly like the original plant, but it’s made without harming the environment.” Bonus points if retailers tie it to a story, like, “This scent is inspired by a flower that disappeared 200 years ago.” People love that kind of marketing.
3. Understand how stories help sell this trend
Most retailers overlook this: Scents are more than just smelling nice. The best ones invest some time in storytelling. Every recreated fragrance has a backstory, and that’s what hooks people.
Take the Mêdog lemon again. It’s not just some random citrus. It’s an ancient fruit tied to the Song dynasty, and its fragrance is being brought back to life. Retailers can use stories like this to create an experience. Maybe it’s a little display in their store or a fun post on Instagram. Either way, it gets people talking—and buying.
And don’t stop at perfumes. These scents can also work in candles, skincare, room sprays—whatever fits the audience. The more ways retailers offer these unique fragrances, the more chances they’ll have to connect with different shoppers.
Tips to help retailers jump into this trend
Here are a few simple steps retailers can take to leverage the Scent Surrection trend:
1. Find the right partners
Look for biotech companies like Ginkgo Bioworks or Sensegen. They’re already doing the hard science so businesses can focus on bringing their creations to their customers.
2. Expand the product line
Don’t just stick to perfumes. Think bigger—candles, home scents, body lotions. Different products mean more ways to appeal to other people.
3. Educate customers
Not everyone gets how lab-grown scents work, and that’s fine. Use easy language to explain it, and focus on the benefits: sustainable, rare, and 100% authentic.
4. Highlight the stories
Every scent has a history. Share it. Remember that stories sell, whether it’s a quick blurb on the business’s website or a fun fact on the packaging.
5. Be honest about the process.
Transparency builds trust. If customers have concerns about lab-made products, address them and show them why these scents are better for the environment and just as luxurious.
Bottom line
Scent Surrections offers something that may take it beyond just being a trend. It’s a whole new way of thinking about fragrances. For retailers, it’s a chance to offer something meaningful—products that look, smell, and feel special.
Plus, it allows customers to experience nature in a way they never thought possible. And in 2025, this trend is only set to grow. Will your brand be part of it? By acting now, retailers can offer fragrances that are as innovative as they are unforgettable.
