The history of perfumes among the Arabs

1 July 2025
مكاسب
تاريخ العطور عند العرب

Perfumes have held a luxurious character since ancient times. Arabs, in particular, were deeply interested in fragrances and crafted many perfumes with exquisite scents extracted from aromatic plants. These plants are still used today to produce the finest Gulf perfumes, relying on musk, ambergris, and oud to create the most captivating and alluring fragrances. This article will explore the history of perfumery among Arabs, a cultural heritage that has been and remains a cherished tradition from antiquity to the present day.

The history of perfumes among the Arabs

The history of perfumery dates back to the Islamic era and ancient Egyptian civilization. The ancient Egyptians began creating the first aromatic products from various combinations of flowers, spices, and woods. Perfumery later flourished in the Islamic era and became widespread. We will now explore the history of perfumery among the Arabs, both in ancient times and during the Islamic period.

Perfume making among the Pharaohs

The ancient Egyptians were interested in perfumes and their manufacture from woods and flowers. Princes used to send trade caravans to bring woods such as cedar wood, sandalwood, and the finest types of incense, in order to produce the most luxurious and finest types of perfumes.

The ancient Egyptians adorned themselves and perfumed themselves with the most beautiful fragrances that they made from aromatic oils extracted from various flowers such as jasmine, rose, and other plants that have attractive scents and penetrating nectar.

The Pharaohs also used perfumes extensively in their religious occasions, as they would prepare for holidays and sanctify religious occasions by adorning themselves and perfuming themselves to appear in the most splendid manner. From here, the perfume industry spread in the ancient era before the advent of Islam, as this is considered part of the history of perfumes among the Arabs.

Perfume making in the Islamic era

Here we will continue the history of perfumes among the Arabs, but in the Islamic era, which is a turning point in the perfume industry, as the Muslims were interested in Gulf perfumes whose roots go back to the Islamic era, as they were characterized by fragrant scents that last for long periods, such as: musk, amber, oud, saffron, and others.

Muslims used to perfume themselves with luxurious perfumes, following the Sunnah of our noble Messenger in perfuming themselves and wearing perfume to appear in the most beautiful image at all times.

It is worth noting that the Arabs were the first to invent the method of steam distillation. This method relied on extracting aromatic oils with tremendous skill from flowers, woods and other fragrant plants.

This enabled them to produce many essential oils and luxury perfumes that helped to revitalize the perfume trade in the Islamic era, as the Arabs contributed to exporting perfumes to many of their neighboring countries such as India, Pakistan, China, and even Europe, which worked to revitalize and flourish trade in the Islamic era thanks to the perfume industry and its export to various parts of the world.

Characteristics of Arabic perfumes

Having learned about the history of perfumes among the Arabs, we will now mention the characteristics and distinctive nature of Arabic perfumes. Arabic perfumes are characterized by a number of unique features that have made them among the finest luxury perfumes from ancient times to the present day:

  • Strong scent and very long-lasting : Arabic perfumes are characterized by high stability and a fragrant scent that lasts for long periods of use.
  • Authenticity and heritage: Arabic perfumes acquire an authentic character that gives you a luxurious look, thanks to their composition and manufacture from the richest aromatic ingredients and materials such as musk and oud.
  • Luxurious, timeless scents: Arabic perfumes are characterized by sophistication, making you feel luxurious from the first moment.
  • Elegant bottles: Arabic perfumes come in luxurious bottles of the utmost elegance and sophistication, reflecting the precision of the craftsmanship and attention to elegant details.

The finest luxury perfumes at Cardial store

Cardial store contains the finest men's and women's perfumes that give you a fresh and attractive look, thanks to their rich and unique composition. All the perfumes available at our store combine a unique set of luxurious ingredients that give them a distinctive character. Whether you prefer deep woody perfumes or fresh florals, our store will satisfy all tastes.

Elite Touch Perfume - Unisex - 100ml



Elite Touch Unisex Perfume - 100ml


A deep sense of warmth thanks to its strong scent and unique composition that combines the strongest aromatic scents, where the scent of pink pepper is emitted at the beginning of the fragrance, then the scent of white amber appears, which is characterized by a strong and attractive scent. As for the base of the fragrance, it is a pure mixture of leather and oud, which helps the scent to remain stable for long periods of up to 12 hours.

The fragrance is now available at a competitive price for both men and women.

Lavish Allure Perfume - Unisex - 100ml




Lavish Allure Perfume - Unisex - 100ml


This is an ideal choice for a luxurious, long-lasting fragrance, characterized by a unique and powerful aroma that exudes unparalleled sophistication. It features a number of captivating scents that enchant the senses. The fragrance notes include saffron and rose, followed by a powerful musk scent emanating from the heart of the fragrance, transporting you to a world of fantasy and magic. The base of the fragrance...

Uniquely based on the scent of oud, characterized by authenticity and luxury, this fragrance is available for both men and women at the best price from the store.

Cardial Provence Perfume for Women Eau de Parfum 100 ml

Cardial’s Provence perfume for women, Eau de Parfum 100 ml, is distinguished by a unique scent that enhances your femininity and gives you a unique character. It consists of a unique floral composition including lavender, violet, and jasmine, in addition to white musk, which gives it high stability and a more attractive, lasting scent.

In conclusion, we have previously discussed the history of perfumes among the Arabs and how the Arabs and ancient Egyptians excelled in the manufacture of luxurious perfumes and the invention of the latest technologies that helped them in this, as they made the finest types of perfumes that were and still are among the most luxurious aromatic materials from thousands of years ago until our modern era.