IFF and SleepScore Labs unveil science-backed scents to support sleep

04 Jan 2022 --- International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) and SleepScore Labs have introduced a “groundbreaking” scent to improve sleep quality. The companies have been in partnership since 2020. This most recent collaboration features IFF’s Science of Wellness program to create functional fragrances to support consumer well-being.

According to a SleepScore Labs study, the scents showed an “objective” improvement in sleep. The scent compounds reportedly shortened the time to fall asleep, reduced nighttime restlessness, increased sleep duration and sleep efficiency.

“The two first years of our partnership with SleepScore Labs were used by our perfumers and innovation teams to develop scents using our data science and SleepScore Labs biometric measures to improve sleep quality,” says Christophe de Villeplée, IFF’s scent division president. 

The market for functional scents is expanding globally with a growing number of functional fragrances hitting the market. Recently, Wellfounded Botanicals launched a “mood-improving” CBD luxury EDP in collaboration with Scent Beauty. Last September, Estée Lauder also launched its own line of functional, “mood-boosting” fragrances.

Need for sleep
IFF specializes in food, beverage, scent, health and biosciences, while SleepScore Labs produces data-backed sleep support. According to the companies, around 70% of the developed world struggles to obtain restful sleep. This can have negative health consequences in the long term.

70% of the developed world has difficulty with restful sleep.The emphasis on restful sleep as a means of supporting health has only grown with the COVID-19 pandemic. Lack of restful sleep can lead to weight gain and negatively impacts mental wellness, an increasing area of focus within the global market. 

“Google searches for ‘sleep supplement’ grew in 2020, but in 2021 growth seem[ed] to be accelerating – January 2021 saw 37 percent year-over-year growth,” Matevž Ambrožič, marketing and PR director at PharmaLinea, told NutritionInsight last March.

Science-backed support
”Billions of people are constantly searching for solutions to help them sleep better, but most consumer solutions have little or no complex scientific data on their performance,” said Colin Lawlor, CEO of SleepScore Labs. 

The data used to confirm the efficacy of the products was derived from studies using SleepScore’s non-contact measurement technology to monitor body movements and respiratory signals. 

The companies say the technology used has been validated using polysomnography, the “gold standard for objective sleep measurement.” 

“We are tremendously proud to work with IFF in leveraging the best data and science to bring real products which can be easily used in homes around the world to help people truly sleep better,” Lawler says.

The scents will be demonstrated at CES 2022 in Las Vegas.

Edited by Olivia Nelson