April 4 2025
Welcome to THE BIOLOGIST, your weekly dose of inspiration at the intersection of fragrance and culture.
Rooted In Ritual: AAPI Month In Scent
This month means a lot to us. As an AAPI-owned small business, we’re reflecting on the role scent plays in honoring culture, memory, and identity. Fragrance isn’t just about what’s new, it’s about what connects us. The rituals we grew up with. The stories we carry. The notes that bring it all back.
To celebrate AAPI Month, we’re sharing a special discount code as a small thank you for being part of this journey - more on that below.
FUNCTION/Roots. Resins. Ritual.
In so many Asian cultures, scent is more than self-care. It’s ceremony. It’s remembrance. It’s home.
From the incense in temples to the citrus in ritual baths, fragrance is woven into the daily rhythm of life across the AAPI community and the wider Asian diaspora. These notes aren’t just chosen for how they smell - but for what they mean, and how they make us feel.
Here are a few we return to often:
- Sandalwood: warm and meditative, it’s used in prayer, grief, healing, and everything in between. (Try it in JOY and BALANCE.)
- Yuzu: a zesty Japanese citrus that’s equal parts calming and invigorating. A staple in seasonal rituals and hot baths.
- Ginger: spicy, bright, alive. A staple in countless Asian wellness traditions, it’s used to energize the body and awaken the senses. (Try it in IMMUNITY.)
This month, we honor the notes that carry heritage. The ingredients that didn’t start as trends - they started as traditions.
TRANSPORT/A Temple. A Spa. A Street Market.
Scent is memory’s favorite trick. A shortcut to somewhere else. Close your eyes. You’re here:
- In a temple in Kyoto, where sandalwood hangs in the air like a whisper.
- In a steaming yuzu bath, the kind that feels like a reset button for your body and soul.
- Walking through a Manila street market, where jasmine garlands bloom in the heat, sold by aunties with knowing smiles.
You don’t need a plane ticket. Just a pulse point.
If you ARE craving a real-world escape: put George Town, Penang on your list. This Malaysian city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is celebrated for its rich tapestry of cultures, historic architecture, and renowned street food scene. In 2025, it's gaining attention as a must-visit destination for travelers seeking a blend of history, art, and gastronomy.
BOND/Heritage In Every Note
This isn’t just another fragrance brand, it’s my story. As an AAPI founder, I’ve always felt the power of scent as a way to carry identity. It’s tied to memory and the cultural roots that shaped who I am.
That’s why I launched Biology: to make something of my own. Something rooted in real experience, not just trends. Every bottle is a mix of natural ingredients, emotion, and memory. You’ll find pieces of me in every formula - and maybe pieces of yourself, too.
This AAPI Month, we’re honoring the heritage behind our notes. The rituals, memories, and traditions that inspire what we create and connect us to something deeper than just fragrance.
We’re so glad you’re here - reading, supporting, and building this with us.
Until next week…stay grounded and stay close.
-Steve
