Fragrances are usually one of two things. They're either light and fresh, or strong and powerful—the kind that makes heads turn at a single whiff. The latter is usually made up of intoxicating blends of florals, spices and musk that easily make a strong impression. But what if we told you there's another type of scent that suits right in the middle, being seductive yet surprisingly subtle? Yup, you read that right.
Enter: Skin scents. These are fragrances that are built around the Iso E Super, a synthetic molecule designed to mix with your body chemistry. With hints of musk, salt, and soft cotton, these are essentially perfumes to emulate the scent of skin, but better. In other words, they're the "no-makeup makeup look" in the form of perfume.
And if that sounds like a good match for you, here are some of the best skin scents out there:
Best Skin Scents
1. Glossier You
Starting off this list is the internet's favorite skin scent, Glossier's You. This is a fragrance that's famous for adapting to one's body chemistry to create a musky, woody, version of your natural scent. It is a clean, fresh-smelling fragrance that wears differently on different people, making it almost universally flattering.
You Eau De Parfum, $60 USD (approximately P2914), GLOSSIER, glossier.com
2. Escentric Molecules Molecule 01
This perfume is built around Iso E Super molecule we mentioned above, which means the scent vanishes right when it is spritzed onto the skin. Because it doesn't have any specific notes, it almost smells like nothing, but if you pay attention, you could get a whiff of a clean, woody aroma. But because of its formulation, it registers differently on everyone, creating a scent that's uniquely yours.
Molecule 01, £72 (approximately P4801), ESCENTRIC MOLECULES, escenstric.com
3. Narciso Rodriguez Pure Musc For Her
If you’re looking for an everyday skin scent, Narciso Rodriguez Pure Musc For Her may be an option for you. A creamy, clean, and feminine musk, it is a fragrance that's pleasant but not overpowering. It'll still allow your body's natural scent to seep through, and could even be a great base for another perfume.
Pure Musc For Her Eau De Parfum, P3550 (30ml), NARCISO RODRIGUEZ, Rustan's
4. Diptyque Eau Rose
Eau Rose's olfactory composition is designed to present roses in their natural and genuine state. Wearing it will give you a non-overpowering floral fragrance that also changes as the hours go by, melting into the scent of whoever is wearing it.
Eau Rose Eau De Toilette, P5550, DIPTYQUE, Rustan's
5. Elizabeth Arden White Tea
A musky-woody floral, Elizabeth Arden's White Tea has a dry and clean smell that makes it stand out from your average spritz. It has white tea extract which gives it a nice feminine touch, and notes of musk that add second-skin appeal.
White Tea Eau de Toilette Spray, P3500, ELIZABETH ARDEN, Rustan's
6. Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Acqua
If you want to splurge on a skin scent that you know you can count on, give Tom Ford's Neroli Portofino Acqua a shot. This perfume includes a variety of citrusy notes like orange, lemon, grapefruit with the addition of mint, basil, and black pepper. It gives off a clean laundry meets summertime feel that's mild and flattering on everyone.
Neroli Portofino Acqua Eau de Parfum, P7500, TOM FORD, Rustan's
7. Chloe Love Story
There are days when we want to smell like ourselves but a little bit more seductive and sensual. On these days, you can turn to a bottle of Chloe Love Story. With notes like stephanotis jasmine and orange blossom, this fragrance provides a subtle romantic sweetness that could pass as your own scent.
Love Story Eau De Parfum, P5698, CHLOE, Rustan's
8. By Rosie Jane Rosie
Inspired by bare, naked skin, Rosie By Rosie Jane is a clean cottony scent that smells like freshly laundered sheets. Its main note is a white flower, and when mixed with your body's natural scent, it's a lovely combination of soft cotton and wood, like the feel of a bright morning.
Rosie Eau De Parfum, $65 (approximately P3156), BY ROSIE JANE, byrosiejane.com
9. Le Labo Another 13
A collaboration between Le Labo and AnOther magazine's editor-in-chief Jefferson Hack, Another 13 is a minimalist scent that has notes of ambroxan, a heady musk note, Iso E Super, alongside 12 other ingredients like moss and jasmine. The hypnotizing scent smells white and crisp, especially mixed with the warmth of the body.
Another 13, 285 AUD (approximately P10,521), LE LABO, lelabofragrances.com.au
10. Maison Christian Dior The Cachemire
The Cachemire is like the sensation of sipping tea while wearing a luxurious cashmere sweater in scent form. It's an inviting, delicate green scent made up of tea, white flowers, rose, and musk.
The Cahemire, P12,500, DIOR, SM Aura Premier
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