If you’ve found yourself on PerfumeTok — the side of TikTok for fragrance fanatics — chances are you’ve watched countless videos of people talking about skin scents. The term has garnered more than 5.3 million views and counting, and while the category isn’t brand-new, social media and the rise of the “clean girl” aesthetic have made it one of the most talked about fragrance trends of the year.
As someone who prefers bold perfumes that project and carry impressive sillage (the “trail” or “wake” of the scent that follows the wearer), it’s been difficult to grasp why someone would want a scent that’s sheer and almost undetectable to anyone but themselves — but Bee Shapiro, founder of Ellis Brooklyn, explains that skin scents’ popularity lies in that inherent intimate nature. “Skin scents feel like they are a part of you instead of wearing a fragrance,” she says. “The compliment is ‘why do you smell so good?’, not ‘why does your perfume smell so good?’”
Chriselle Lim, founder and creative director of Phlur, expresses a similar sentiment, explaining that wearing a barely there scent is this generation’s ideal form of self expression. “You don’t want the fragrance to walk in the room before you — It’s you who is wearing the perfume to elevate your personality and mood,” she says. “That’s why skin scents are so popular. It’s not overbearing, it’s YOU but a cleaner yummier version. It compliments you versus competing with you.”
What is a skin scent?
According to Abby Wallach, CEO and co-founder of ScentInvent of ScentInvent Technologies, skin scents are fragrances that closely mimic the natural scent of human skin. “They’re typically subtle, intimate and have a close-to-the-skin effect, creating an impression that the scent is an inherent part of the wearer’s body.” She adds that the overarching goal of skin scents is to “enhance one’s natural aroma without being overpowering.”
What do skin scents smell like?
These perfumes can be made with a myriad of notes from different fragrance families. “Skin scents tend to have musky, woody and any type of back-driven notes that typically appear in the dry down of fragrances,” saysFrank Voelkl, principal perfumer at DSM-Firmenich. “They can also have light floral notes or fresh, clean notes.” Wallach tacks onto this, adding that other common skin scent notes include iso e super, linen, ambrette seed, cashmeran and ambergris.
“Given the variability in interpretations of what constitutes a scent that resembles ‘skin,’ exploring various fragrances with these notes becomes a valuable journey,” Wallach emphasizes. “It allows you to discover scents that not only complement your body chemistry but also resonate with your personal preferences, resulting in a more tailored olfactory expression.”
With that in mind, I tested more than 25 perfumes to compile this list of the 15 best skin scents. These comforting perfumes smell a bit different on everyone, and discovering the ones you resonate with will help you become more in tune with yourself and what fragrance means to you. The below picks certainly changed the way I look at fragrance — my collection of intense gourmand perfumes has its time and place, but after smelling these delicate options I’m now officially embracing my soft girl era.
Best skin scents to try
D.S. & Durga was making skin scents long before the trend gained traction. In fact, the house released its signature fragrance enhancer, I Don’t Know What, more than five years ago. The ambiguous perfume leaves an inherent radiance on the skin … I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there’s a certain je nais se quoi about wearing it by itself. An expertly crafted mix of bergamot essence, iso e super and vetiver makes me feel grounded, focused and alive all at once. If you’re interested in fragrance layering, using this will ensure every combination smells absolutely heavenly.?
While vanilla-forward scents can easily veer into overly saccharine territory, Clean Reserve keeps the note light and airy in Skin Eau de Parfum. The aptly-named perfume smells like your skin, but better. Creamy Madagascar vanilla intertwines with peony, salted praline and white musks for a subtly sweet, soothing scent that has impressive lasting power. Compared to all of the skin scents I’ve tried (aka every pick on this list), Skin is the only one that lingers all day long.?
Glossier You may be the most iconic skin scent of all time: It’s one of the first fragrances to pop in people’s heads when the term “skin scent” is mentioned. According to Voelkl, who helped develop this perfume, it's “a scent that becomes part of you.” Made with just four simple notes — pink pepper, lush iris, ambrox and ambrette seeds — the fragrance seamlessly melds with the wearer’s body chemistry, producing an aroma that’s totally unique to each person.
Equal parts earthy, crisp and mysterious, Ellis Brooklyn Myth is one of the most sensual skin scents available. “I made this for myself, and it's my ultimate clean girl aesthetic kind of scent,” says Shapiro. This perfume culminates in a full sensorial experience. Initially, it feels light and delicate thanks to bergamot, tiger orchid, pink lotus and jasmine. Then, as it dries, hints of patchouli, musk and white cedarwood emerge.
This velvety smooth fragrance from Moodeaux is one of the most addictive scents I’ve ever smelled. The fusion of woody, floral and citrus notes creates a special long-lasting juice that smells vaguely familiar, yet somehow feels totally brand new at the same time. White tea and orange blossom burst at the first mist. That vibrant tinge mellows as red rose, lavender and leafy greens peek through before it settles in a haze of musk, vanilla woods and amber.
This luxurious perfume was inspired by the architecture of modern skyscrapers, and it redefines a skin scent, taking the category to new, gleaming heights. Notes of bergamot, white florals and Egyptian jasmine give the fragrance and enchanting effervescence. As time goes on these intermingle with headier hints of sandalwood and white musks, softening and warming the overall vibe. This has better projection than other skin scents, though others will have to get close to fully appreciate all it has to offer.
This sheer perfume from Juliette Has a Gun features a single note: Cetalox. The synthetic element mimics the aroma of soft, clean musk and amber. Depending on how it meshes with your skin chemistry, it can smell a little sweet, bright or warm. No two people will experience the exact same scent — it’s one of those fragrances that becomes uniquely your own. It’s also worth noting that this produces the most light, uniform mist (an underrated feature when it comes to perfumes, in my opinion), so each spritz is extra satisfying.
DedCool Milk may be labeled as a layering fragrance, but the functional perfume can hold its own (and really shines when worn alone). Comprising only three clean notes — bergamot, white musk and amber — this is the type of fragrance that feels like it was made purely for you. Keep in mind that it sits very close to skin and doesn’t project far. If you want a bit more oomph, the brand created an amplified version named Xtra Milk.
A seductive potion that smells like you’re up to no good, Another 13 leans a tad masculine but can (and should) be worn by anyone. A heady mix of ambrox, musk and woody amber is offset by blooming jasmine petals and moss. Though the notes themselves are strong, the perfume manages to maintain a lucid quality on skin — people will only be able to smell it if they get real close.?
Phlur went viral shortly after launching Missing Person, and the perfume quickly garnered a 200,000-person wait list. “It was inspired by my personal story of love and loss,” says Lim. “I developed this scent while going through a divorce. I felt empty and missed the feeling of laying next to someone I loved, so I wanted to bottle something that instantly felt warm, cozy and clean.” The fragrance features a light, comforting blend of skin musk, bergamot nectar and sheer jasmine and also comes in a few iterations — including a body lotion, candle and body wash.?
You know that blissful feeling of waking up in fresh sheets as the morning sun rays peek through the window? Somehow Maison Margiela replicated that feeling (pun intended) and turned it into the most dreamy eau de toilette. Lazy Sunday Morning fuses crisp notes of pear, adelehyde (a compound that has a soapy-lemony scent) and white musks with floral accords like lily of the valley, iris and rose. Along with wearing it on my pulse points, I like to spray this on my pillow to get the most out of the perfume’s calming energy.
I spent hours trying to figure out what Jake’s House reminded me of, and then it came to me: that first energizing whiff of nature on a dewy summer morning. I crave that feeling all year long, and now I can experience it any time with just a spritz. At the top sits a fresh marine note. Then neroli, peony and jasmine add a refreshing brightness before ambroxan and musk emanate on the dry-down.
Lake & Skye 11 11 was the first skin scent I ever fell in love with, and the new flanker — 11 11 Azure — is even better. A bright aquatic extension of the original, this natural ocean-inspired fragrance combines fresh notes of water accord, lotus blossom and blue amber. I spritz it on when I want to feel sophisticated or if I’m longing for relaxed seaside days.?
Although this perfume is a bit spicier than other picks on our list, it still sits close to the skin, enveloping you in a comforting hug. A blend of forest-y notes, including crystallized moss, amber, woods and musks, creates a fresh, woody ambiance. I find it ideal for the winter months when you’re after something warm but not cloying.?
Any bookworm will fall in love with Diptyque L’eau Papier because it’s reminiscent of flipping through the pages of your favorite novel. White musks, luminous mimosa and blonde woods keep it light and hazy, while rice steam supplies a distinct earthiness. For those looking for a neutral scent — one that’s not too sweet, spicy or fresh, but extremely balanced —?this will surely satisfy even the pickiest noses.
