Androstenol and androstenone: the signal molecules in perfumes

Androstenol and Androstenone: The Human Body's Chemical Signals

Androstenol and androstenone are two steroid molecules that the human body produces naturally, primarily through sweat and glandular secretions. These are not just simple body odors—they are genuine chemical signals that our body uses to communicate with other people at a biological level, influencing perception, behavior, and attractiveness.

What are Androstenol and Androstenone from a Chemical Standpoint

Androstenol (16-andro) and androstenone are both derivatives of testosterone—the main male sex hormone. They are C19 steroid molecules (containing 19 carbon atoms) belonging to the family of steroid androgens. Their chemical structure is simple yet powerful: they are volatile (evaporate easily), penetrating (easily come into contact with the olfactory system), and biologically active (have measurable effects on perception and behavior).

The chemical difference between the two is minimal—a simple structural difference—but their biological effects are distinct. Androstenol is considered a "primary" molecule (the first metabolite of testosterone), while androstenone is a "secondary" molecule (formed from the biological degradation of testosterone over time).

How the Human Body Produces Androstenol and Androstenone

In males, testosterone is primarily produced by the testes. A portion of testosterone is converted into androstenol through a natural metabolic process. As testosterone degrades in the body (through exposure to body heat and skin bacteria), it transforms into androstenone.

Here's the crucial point: our bodies constantly produce these molecules, but in varying amounts depending on factors such as age, hormone levels, health, diet, and personal hygiene. A healthy young man with normal hormone levels produces more androstenol and androstenone than an elderly person or someone with low testosterone levels.

In women, the process is more complex. They produce much smaller amounts of androstene derivatives because they have much lower testosterone levels. However, women also produce trace amounts of these molecules, especially around ovulation when hormone levels change.

The Biological and Perceptual Effects of Signal Molecules

When a person is exposed to another's androstenol, the main effect is an increase in the perception of sexual attractiveness and masculinity. Studies show that women exposed to androstenol rate men as more attractive and report feelings of increased arousal and sexual interest.

Androstenone, on the other hand, has slightly different effects. While androstenol communicates "sexual attraction," androstenone communicates "dominance" and "high social status." The effects of androstenone include increased perception of authority, increased confidence, and, yes, even subtle forms of sexual attraction—but more linked to status than to simple physical desire.

What is important to understand is that these molecules do not cause conscious attraction. Rather, they influence instinctive and subconscious evaluations of attractiveness, trust, and compatibility. They work at a biological level before our conscious mind is aware of them.

Why Synthetic Perfumes with These Molecules Work Like Natural Ones

Our bodies produce androstenol and androstenone, but in microscopic amounts. In our natural sweat, these chemical signals are mixed with hundreds of other molecules, many of which are unattractive body odors. Furthermore, the quantity is often insufficient to have a consistent biological effect on other people.

This is where synthetic perfumes come in. A chemist can artificially synthesize androstenol and androstenone in the lab, creating molecules identical to those our body produces. When these synthetic signals are incorporated into a perfume, they offer several advantages:

Controlled concentration: A synthetic perfume can contain a precise concentration of androstenol and androstenone—much more than your body naturally produces—ensuring a consistent biological effect.

Chemical stability: Natural pheromones in sweat degrade quickly. Synthetic signals in a perfume remain stable for months or years.

Isolation from bad odors: The perfume provides only the desired signal molecules, without the skin bacteria and unpleasant odors associated with natural sweat.

Optimized formulation: A perfumer can combine androstenol and androstenone in specific ratios, calibrated to maximize the desired biological effect while maintaining a pleasant aroma.

How Desiros Uses These Molecules in Active Social Signal™

Desiros' proprietary Active Social Signal™ technology synthetically incorporates social signal molecules from this family directly into the formulation of Inferno Pheromone Perfume 2.0. Instead of relying on your body to produce insufficient amounts of androstenol and androstenone, Inferno provides a consistent and optimal dose of these chemical signals.

The fragrance itself—with notes of Sorrento lemon, pink pepper, geranium, rose, cedar, and ambergris—was chosen not only for its pleasant aroma but also for how it biologically interacts with the signal molecules. Ambergris, for example, is known to amplify the longevity of chemical signals on the skin.

Measured Effectiveness vs. Marketing Promises

A critical point: many "pheromone perfumes" on the market contain insignificant traces of these molecules, primarily for marketing. Desiros, as one of Amazon Italy's best-selling brands in 2024-2025, has invested in real formulation and concentration. The difference lies in the quality of the synthetic molecule, the concentration used, and how it is co-formulated with the fragrance.

If you buy a perfume that costs a few euros and promises "incredible pheromones," it is likely to contain too low a concentration to have measurable biological effects. Inferno, on the contrary, is formulated with scientifically calibrated concentrations of signal molecules for a consistent effect.

→ Discover Inferno Pheromone Perfume 2.0 — co-formulated with synthetic social signal molecules through Active Social Signal™. From €65.