Many scholars agree that the first perfumes were used in religious ceremonies and burial rites in ancient Egypt. Perfume played an important role in Egyptian society. Egyptians burned incense during religious ceremonies as well as in the embalming of their deceased. Oils such as myrrh were precious and when the tomb of King Tutankhamen was discovered and opened, the smell of perfume permeated the air.

In early Egypt honey and cinnamon were used to anoint the body. Floral scent from the Madonna lily was extracted for fragrance. At that time both men and women from elite society used scent and fragrance as part of their daily toilet ritual. Most flowers and herbs that were used as natural scents were imported from Arabia, Indian, Palestine and Persia.