Enormously, and increasingly so in the last two decades. Oud, once a niche, specialist ingredient largely unknown to mainstream Western noses, is now a mainstream fragrance note used by major designer and niche houses alike.

Oud’s crossover into the mainstream

Through the 2000s and 2010s, Western perfume houses increasingly released “oud” fragrances, sometimes using real oud oil, more often synthetic oud accords built to approximate the smell, in response to growing demand and exposure to the Gulf fragrance market. Rose-oud pairings, amber-heavy orientals, and the deep, long-lasting style typical of Arabian perfumery all fed into what’s now a well-established and permanent category on the high street rather than a passing trend.

It goes both ways

This influence isn’t one-directional either. Arabian perfumery has long incorporated Western perfumery techniques and ingredients too, and the Gulf region remains one of the largest and most discerning fragrance markets in the world, which itself has shaped what international brands choose to release there and elsewhere. Our Arabian perfume guide and history of perfume guide cover this exchange, alongside the complete guide to perfume.