The best skin scents - the clean, personal perfume trend explained

May 28, 2024

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Diptyque L'Eau Papier

As crisp and clear as an unblemished white page, Diptyque’s L’Eau Papier is perhaps the most succinct way to exemplify a skin scent. At its heart is the musk that blossoms into a light and delicate expression thanks to rice steam accord, mimosa and blonde wood. The fragrance is both refreshing and comforting.

Le Labo Another 13

The favourite of Bazaar's digital beauty director, Bridget March, Le Labo's cult Another 13 centres on ambroxan, a complex come-hither note, which lends this subtle but magnetic scent a musky skin-like property. It's truly hypnotic.

Glossier You

Glossier You

You may have seen Glossier’s You making its rounds on TikTok, and rightly so. The fragrance is made for those that adore skin scents. Blended with a bubbling pink pepper, the fragrance delicately sweeps the skin with heart notes of ambrette seeds and ambery ambrox before settling down with an iris and white floral.

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Byredo Blanche

Pure and playful, Byredo’s Blanche reimagines silk slipping through your fingers or dancing around your skin. Clean, laundry-fresh and comforting, the fragrance boasts top notes of rose and aldehyde with base notes of musk and sandalwood for a creamy dry down.

Matiere Premiere Parisian Musc

A fragrance that’ll spark a double-take from close passers-by. Championing warm base notes of cedar, the woody scent lingers pleasantly, blending with your pH. Then layered with fruity fig, ambrette seed and musk for a sweet finish, the unusual blend is not to be forgotten.

Maison Margiela Replica Lazy Sunday Morning

Now 20% Off

One not to shy away from presenting fragrances as personas is Maison Margiela. And in showcasing skin scents as a moment in time is the Replica, Lazy Sunday Morning. Set in Florence, Italy, the fragrance imagines freshly washed linen sheets tickling your bare soft skin. And as you look up, the sun beams through an open window while sheer curtains blow under the morning breeze. A moment we all no doubt crave and can wear thanks to the delicate notes of pear and iris accord, rose, white wood and creamy musk.

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Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis

The only three words needed to describe master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian’s Aqua creation would be sensual, soft and intimate. Highlighting notes of bergamot, lemon, lily of the valley and musky woods, the scent sensation is a must for this summer.

Trudon Vixi

Trudon’s latest olfactory offering is both woody and bright, combining creamy sandalwood with petit grain to create something with spring-breeze freshness. The jasmine in the heart adds gentle warmth, rather than a heady floral presence, ensuring this delicate blend wears close to the skin.

Sana Jardin Nubian Musk

Now 25% Off

Sana Jardin’s Nubian Musk perfectly translates the unapologetic qualities of a skin scent. Adapting a bold aroma, this fragrance exudes self-empowerment. It starts with patchouli, vanilla and musk before rising with rose and sandalwood and finishing with grapefruit flowers from Morocco.

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Hermes Hermessence Collection Cardamusc Essence De Parfum

Playing with the sensuality of musk is perfumer Christine Nagel’s Cardamusc creation. Evolving the depth of cardamom and musk, the fragrance expertly brings together spice and intimacy to carve out a lingering and sophisticated aroma you can’t help but wear again and again.

Goldfield & Banks Silky Woods Perfume Concentrate

Another sensual adaption of a skin scent is Goldfield & Banks’ Silky Woods. The fragrance celebrates the organic ingredients and homegrown innovation of Australia, beckoning a quiet yet transformative feel once spritzed on the skin. Considering notes of saffron, ylang-ylang, vanilla and sandalwood, the fragrance perfectly balances sweet and fresh skin-like qualities.

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