With the increased use of face masks during the Covid-19 pandemic, many people are having difficulty with the smell of their masks. They seem to unleash a very unpleasant odor that some compare to stale food or the back of a school bus. This is why Impertech Safety, a global manufacturer, has created the groundbreaking scented mask: the SN98.
The SN98 is sold in a variety of fragrances, including Lavender, peppermint, lemon, and vanilla. Impertech Safety says that “the soft and gentle fragrances, infused in the highly protective SN98 face mask will help make the act of wearing a mask a much more pleasant and positive experience.
Vanilla doesn’t just smell sweet, nuzzle able and delectably comforting: it’s kind of magic, in flavor and perfume terms. When we smell or taste anything, our ‘receptors’ constantly wipe those fleeting encounters to prepare for the next flavor or a smell. But when vanilla is added to food or fragrance, naturally-present vanillin (and other vanilloids, which we’ll talk about in a moment) work to ‘hold open’ our vanilloid receptors, slowing down this wiping process – which in turn gives us more time to perceive, experience and enjoy both scents and flavors. (Vanilloids are also found in cocoa, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and hot peppers – which partly explains why they’re all such ‘taste sensations’.)
Vanilla comes from the seeds of a dried pod from a climbing orchid-like plant which flourishes especially well in Madagascar; the very best quality of vanilla comes from the Île Bourbon, now known as Réunion. It gets its name from the Spanish word ‘vaina’ (meaning sheath or pod, and translates simply as ‘little pod’. (Strangely, the flower itself is scent-less.)
Perhaps because vanilla is the second priciest spice in the world, after saffron, the vanilla you smell in many perfumes today is synthetic vanillin: clever chemists have worked to mimic the real thing – although the most gifted noses will probably tell you that real vanilla is earthier, with touches of treacle and a touch of ‘booziness’.
Super Safe SN98 Disposable Protective Face Masks, Breathable Anti-allergenic 3 Ply Masks. Manufactured according to ASTM Level 1 and Israeli Health Ministry performance requirements. Protection against PM2.5 Dust, Pollen, Virus, and Haze-Proof. Filter Efficiency≥98%. Especially adapted Fabric for facial skin. ISO 10 – 10993 compatibility, Sensitization Skin & Irritation Certification. External layer of mask is manufactured from a non-woven fabric for maximizing protection. Designed for daily protection and maximum comfort, Includes the highest-quality filter for maximum protection and respiratory ease. Long and extra soft and strong ear loops. Aluminum nose strip for improved protection. The masks are for single use only – up to 12 hours same day use. The package includes 20 fresh fragranced masks.
