Actually, Skin Scents Are Nice, Okay?! (2025)

The best skin scents are the olfactory equivalent of mood rings (if the 1970s accessories were, perhaps, just slightly more refined.) The intimate, shape-shifting scents adjust to their wearer’s body chemistry to smell slightly different on everyone—if you can smell them at all. Soft and gentle with the most subtle of sillages, the scents wrap around the skin like an invisible cashmere cocoon. If the scents sound irresistible, it’s because they are, and they’re getting more coveted all the time.

“The rise of natural beauty and the ‘clean’ aesthetic—think no-makeup makeup—aligns well with the soft, effortless nature of skin scents,” says Alexandra Monet, a perfumer with DSM Firmenich. “Skin scents are often described as comforting, cozy, and familiar, making them appealing for everyday wear.”

Our Top Picks:

• Best Skin Scent Overall: Phlur Missing Person Eau de Parfum, $99
• Best Floral: Byredo Blanche Eau de Parfum, $230
• Best for Layering: D.S. & Durga I Don't Know What Eau de Parfum, $210
• Best Creamy: Glossier You Eau de Parfum, $112
• Best Fruity: Snif Me Eau de Toilette, $65
• Best Woody: Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 Eau de Toilette, $150
• Best Minimalist: Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume Eau de Parfum, $115

Frequently Asked Questions

• What exactly is a skin scent?
• Who might like a skin scent?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Ahead, shop the 11 best skin scents that Allure editors can’t stop spritzing, then leaning in to sniff.

Best Skin Scent Overall: Phlur Missing Person Eau de Parfum

Why it’s worth it: Known for stirring up deep feelings of longing, Phlur Missing Person has caused many a TikTok creator to cry over scent-fueled flashbacks of a loved one. Laced with notes of skin musk, nectar, sheer jasmine, neroli blossom, and orange blossom, the floral musk has a citrus-kissed scent that matches the sunny, peachy-pink hue of its juice. It's familiar and comforting, making it a true nostalgia trip.

Tester feedback: Everyone seems to have a different experience with this ineffable scent. Dianna Mazzone Singh had the feeling of waking up on a summery Sunday morning. "With jasmine and neroli blossom, [the fragrance] begins as a true floral—then dries down to a creamy, enveloping musk," she says. Meanwhile, associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen remarked favorably on just how subtle the scent is. “It gets to just be scent—a scent transformed on your skin,” she says.

Key notes: skin musk, bergamot, nectar, sheer jasmine, cyclamen, neroli blossom, orange flower, sandalwood, blonde wood, white musk | Sizes: 0.32 oz, 1.7 oz

Best Musk: Byredo Blanche Eau de Parfum

Why it’s worth it: Scents have a way of conjuring colors. Some perfumes smell pink and rosy, others are amber-hued and spicy, and some smell fresh and verdant—like a whiff of pale green. When it comes to skin scents, many are inspired by the color white, and Byredo’s Blanche is a delectable example. (After all, it’s named after la couleur.) Based on perfumer Ben Gorham’s interpretation of a pure, nearly transparent shade of white, the genderless eau de parfum opens with notes of white roses spiced with pink pepper; as it dries down, it opens a bouquet of violets, peony, and neroli before settling into a cozy, lounging-in-bed-like base of blonde woods, sandalwood, and musk.

Tester feedback: “At first spritz, this has a powdery punch of soapy aldehydes and floral rose, but as it settles in, a warm blend of musk and sandalwood creeps through and gradually takes over,” Allure commerce writer Jennifer Hussein reports. “Blanche is currently my signature scent for everyday wear, and I’m always getting compliments.”

Key notes: white rose, pink pepper, aldehyde, violet, neroli, peony, blonde woods, sandalwood, musk | Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz, 8.4 oz

Best for Layering: D.S. & Durga I Don't Know What Eau de Parfum

Why it’s worth it: Think of this fragrance enhancer as shapewear for your perfume. Designed as a base layer for other scents, D.S. & Durga I Don't Know What has a radiant quality that lifts the freshness, smokiness, or whatever-it-is-ness out of any scent. Opening up with bergamot essence, the perfume has a heart of Iso E Super—a musky, skin-scent classic that melds notes of cedarwood, sandalwood, patchouli, suede, and vetiver. Its base—ambrox super—smells woody, musky, and ambery all at once.

Tester feedback: "[This perfume] really sets the foundation for how the body spray and fragrance settles into my skin throughout the day for a long-lasting effect," says social media manager Bianca Richards, who likes to use it as a base beneath Sol de Janeiro's fruity-floral Brazilian Crush Cheirosa '68 Beija Flor Hair & Body Mist and Kayali's ultra-juicy Eden Juicy Apple 01 Eau de Parfum.

Key notes: bergamot, Iso E Super, ambrox super | Sizes: 0.34 oz, 1.7 oz

Best Creamy: Glossier You Eau de Parfum

Why it’s worth it: When Glossier launched its debut scent back in 2017, it became an instant classic. Soft, comforting, and clean—like a plush robe wrapped around shower-fresh skin—Glossier You opens with bright and spicy notes of pink pepper. As it dries down, the eau de parfum takes on the cozy, creamy scent of ambrette seeds and ambrox; its base note is a powdery iris. Fun fact: The frosted pink bottle has a thumbprint-like indentation on its side, designed to reflect that in order to be complete, the scent needs you to hold it.

Tester feedback: "I fell in love with this fragrance seven years ago and have had it on hand ever since," says social director Kassidy Silva, who's also a fan of the solid version. “With a musky blend of iris and pink pepper, it's a fragrance that never fails at turning heads."

Key notes: pink pepper, ambrette seeds, ambrox, iris | Sizes: 0.27 oz, 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz

Best Fruity: Snif Me Eau de Toilette

Why it’s worth it: At (far) under $100, Snif’s new scent offers a fruity spin on a skin scent—and it has a deliciously approachable price tag to match. Opening with juicy notes of peach skin and plum, the fragrance has a musky, woody base comprised of white moss, sandalwood, and an ambery synthetic fragrance called orcanox. While many skin scents hover close to the skin with a nearly imperceptible sillage, Snif’s is infused with powdery orris. The ingredient magnifies the scent’s throw, helping it leave a fresh, blooming-orchard-like trail.

Tester feedback: “I'm not one for musky scents but the juicy peach and plum top notes in Snif Me (so clever!) are simply delectable and provide a nice balance that suits my preferences for, shall we say, brighter scents,” says Han. “By the time it dries down, the white moss, vegan moss, and sandalwood notes morph into a deeper, calming scent that smells like my skin—with a hint of je ne sais quoi elevation.”

Key notes: peach skin, plum, orris, caramel, white musk, musks, sandalwood | Sizes: 30 ml

Best Woody: Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 Eau de Toilette

Why it’s worth it: Gather round for a quick lesson in notes: In the mid-1970s, Iso E Super—the synthetic molecule that has a sheer, sandalwood-y scent—was developed in an International Flavors and Fragrances lab. The woody note started making its way into fragrances shortly thereafter, and in 2006, this cult classic was born. With a single note of Iso E Super, Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 Eau de Toilette is like a sprayable magic trick. Because of the unique way it bonds with the olfactory receptors, it seems to vanish and reappear throughout the day. It also transforms from wearer to wearer, as it interacts with an individual’s body chemistry.

Tester feedback: An Allure tester once called Molecule 01 a “minimalist masterpiece,” noting that “on a blotter, it smells like alcohol, straight up. But on the skin? It's a creamy, warm, sexy scent.”

Key notes: Iso E Super| Sizes: 3 oz

Best Minimalist: Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume Eau de Parfum

Why it’s worth it: Juliette Has a Gun’s bestseller is composed of a single molecular ingredient: Cetalox. According to brand founder Romano Ricci—the very idiosyncratic, very French great-grandson of Nina Ricci—the woody, musky fragrance is typically used as a base note. In this minimalist perfume, the note is thrust into the spotlight, where it lingers on the skin with a warming, musky scent. Housed in an opaque, all-white bottle, the fragrance’s packaging matches its clean, elegantly restrained appeal. What’s more, the allergen-free scent is safe for sensitive skin and layers beautifully with other perfumes. Pro tip: If you pick up the Discovery Set, you can try mixing Not a Perfume with six other scents; I like mixing it with Vanilla Vibes to feel like I’m soaking in a vanilla bubble bath.

Tester feedback: “It has a seductive element, with a tinge of spice,” says Allure’s editorial assistant Jennet Jusu.

Key notes: cetalox | Sizes: 0.25 oz, 1.7 oz, 3.3 oz

Best Floral: Diptyque Fleur De Peau Eau de Parfum

Why it’s worth it: While many skin scents channel the languid feel of a Sunday morning lie-in—replete with a soapy bath and crisp white sheets—Diptyque’s musky iteration conjures an altogether more mythological scene. Inspired by the love story between the Greek gods Psyche and Eros (a.k.a. Cupid), the compulsively sniffable scent has a heart of cottony musk. It’s laced with powdery notes of iris, and given just a hint of delicate, fruity sweetness with an infusion of ambrette seeds.

Editor's tip: Hair perfumes are only getting more popular. Whether you find yourself not being able to get enough of this floral goodness or want to start with a subtler version, pick up a chic frosted bottle of the Fleur de Peau Hair Mist.

Key notes: musk, iris, ambrette, pink peppercorn| Sizes: 75 ml

Best Woody: Le Labo Another 13 Eau de Parfum

Why it’s worth it: Le Labo describes its moody skin scent as “an addictive dirty potion.” With a sultry, woodsy appeal, Le Labo Another 13 smells like the remnants of a forest bath on the skin. With a heart of ambrox (a synthetic animal musk), it also has notes of jasmine petals, moss, ambrette seeds, and amber. Add in its minimalistic, apothecary-style packaging, and the eau de parfum feels like a souvenir from an underground pharmacy hidden deep within the woods.

Editor’s tip: In addition to its cult-classic perfumes, Le Labo creates body lotions made with skin-loving ingredients like shea butter and avocado oil—the lotion is available in Another 13, should you care to layer.

Key notes: ambrox, musk, woody amber, jasmine petals, moss, ambrette seeds | Sizes: 0.5 oz, 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz

Best Rose: By Rosie Jane Rosie Eau de Parfum

Why it’s worth it: A white musk with just a hint of rose, By Rose Jane Rosie is a soft, pure fragrance that seems to let the light in with every spritz. (If the formulation secretly contains molecules of sunlight filtered through a prism, I would not be surprised.) Brand founder Rosie Jane designs her clean scents to feel easy, breezy, and imminently wearable in everyday life. Rosie is her homage to the feeling of meditating or slipping into clean sheets naked, and its sweet, mellow vibe lines up with her vision.

Tester feedback: “I love swiping on a solo swatch on the backs of my wrists on days when I’m working from home, and then layering on more before big events,” says Kinonen, who swears by the perfume oil version. She's a fan of what she calls its “surprisingly sexy subtlety."

Key notes: rose, nude musk, vanilla | Size: 0.33 oz, 1.7 oz

Best Fresh: Lake & Skye 11 11 Eau de Parfum

Why it’s worth it: Allure editors are so fond of Lake & Skye’s dreamy, meditative scent that many of them have taken to scenting their entire homes with it—the 11 11 reed diffuser won a 2024 Best of Beauty Award, and the candle is yet another editor favorite. Also available as a serenity-stimulating perfume, the scent smells like staring out at ocean waves from the inside of a pristine yoga studio. Its freshness is spiked with coastal touches of marine and driftwood, while amberwood and white musk give it a second-skin coziness.

Tester feedback: "For years, I exclusively wore the eau de parfum version of 11 11 for its light and fresh scent that smells more like second skin," Kinonen says. "These days, I keep diffusers of it in almost every room of my apartment—I can't get enough!”

Key notes: amber wood, cyclamen, marine, white musk, driftwood | Sizes: 0.5 oz, 1.7 oz

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a skin scent?

Since skin scents tend to smell a bit different on everyone—adjusting as they do to an individual’s body chemistry—it can be tough to pin down what characterizes them, exactly. As Monet describes it, “Skin scents can be seen as ‘introverted’ fragrances because they sit close to the skin rather than projecting loudly." Ultimately, she says, "They tend to be more linear and intimate, meaning they are back-driven and create a subtle, steady presence that enhances your personal experience rather than making a bold statement.”

Who might like a skin scent?

According to Monet, skin scents appeal to anyone who prefers subtle, natural-smelling fragrances over bold scents that make a statement with a sillage that turns heads. “Fans of minimalist, clean, and musky fragrances would also like a skin scent,” she notes.

Meet the experts

• Alexandra Monet, a DSM Firmenich perfumer

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our review of the best skin scents for easy, everyday use, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, and contributors to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

Psst: our editors can't get enough of these scents:

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Now, watch kids make perfume for their moms:

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