Scent’s magic-like ability to calm us has been well-documented. Certain aromas can stimulate the brain’s neurotransmitters — aka messengers — to release happy hormones like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, serving an instant dose (or whiff!) of happiness.
These happy hormones calm your nervous system, which is why we refer to these scents as calming or therapeutic fragrances. Some brands, like Edeniste, take the science a step further and employ neuroscience to help you beat stress, formulating concoctions that will lower your cortisol levels, like their patented Destress Accord.
Researchers are quick to point out that our association with aromas also matters: A scent that can be pleasant and calming to one person but not necessarily to the next, due to your own personal preferences and associations. There are, however, aromas that most people find soothing… and they have the research to prove it. Aromas like lavender and jasmine have an instant soothing effect, while rosemary, cedarwood, and peppermint have been proven to balance the nervous system. Other favorites to inspire a zen-like state are ylang-ylang and patchouli.
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Get a dose of happy hormones with these calming scents
Calming scents, also referred to as wellness or functional fragrances, offer more than just a great-smelling experience; these perfumes soothe your senses and boost your mood. Get spritzing on these scents, and feel your worries drifting away!
1. Clarins Eau Dynamisante EDP
Clarins Eau Dynamisante EDP is known for its therapeutic attributes and ability to calm your nervous system. This iconic therapeutic fragrance contains an uplifting blend of sweet, bitter orange, lavandin, eucalyptus, tarragon, and nutmeg. Clarins is famous for using plant essences for their therapeutic benefits and includes essential oils in several of their fragrances and creams. Other ingredients like patchouli, red ginseng, and organic lemon thyme extract add to the invigorating qualities of the perfume. This relaxing fragrance is a great way to start your day and fight off brain fog.
2. Edeniste Rose Delice EDP
Turn every spritz of perfume into a self-care ritual with Edeniste Rose Delice EDP. This calming scent is formulated with beneficial fragrance ingredients that will soothe your mind. The brand only uses perfume ingredients that have a positive impact on your limbic system and their Destress Accord consists of white musk, ambroxan, and iso E super — encouraging a tranquil state. The relaxing fragrance looks after your well-being with ingredients like Bulgarian rose, Italian mandarin, red berries, and vanilla. Take a deep breath of the healing aromas and exhale all your worries! Get Edeniste Rose Delice EDP NOW!
3. Commodity Rain EDP
Commodity Rain EDP mimics a walk in the rain with notes of bergamot, freesia, and woods. This calming scent offers you a “clean slate in life” with rain-inspired notes that include water musk, lotus blossom, lemon verbena, and jasmine. This relaxing fragrance will renew your senses and evoke a soothing emotion. Try Commodity Rain EDP NOW!
4. Louis Vuitton Pacific Chill EDP
Luxury brand Louis Vuitton released their first therapeutic fragrance, Pacific Chill EDP, in 2023. This calming scent imitates the tranquility of the Pacific Ocean and opens your mind with a blend of detoxifying aromas.
The scent renews your spirits with lemon essence, coriander seed, basil, black currant, carrot seed, and peppermint. Spritz this relaxing fragrance if you want to feel serene and levelheaded.
5. Juliette Has A Gun Sunny Side Up EDP
Juliette Has A Gun Sunny Side Up EDP is described as “happiness therapy” and this calming scent will infuse your senses with a blend of sambac jasmine, ambrette, vanilla, and sandalwood cream. The creator of the scent, Romano Ricci, says he wanted to produce a fragrance that inspires positivity, and for him, the starting point was the sandalwood cream accord. Get this relaxing fragrance to ground your emotions and turn a bleak day into a bright one!
6. Frederic Malle Music For A While EDP
Frederic Malle Music For A While EDP employs the calming properties of lavender to quell your worries. This calming scent bottles the restoring qualities of lavender, giving you a feeling of calm surrender. Other soothing notes in the composition include vanilla, pineapple, and patchouli. With this scent the brand aims to find — like with music — harmony for the soul, and this relaxing fragrance features an unforgettable refrain.
7. Phlur Mood Ring EDP
Boost your mood with a spritz of Phlur Mood Ring EDP. This calming scent provides your senses with a sweet escape consisting of nostalgic notes like fruit gummies, sweet orange, and jasmine sambac. The grounding base centers your emotions with notes of sheer amber, glazed musks, and patchouli. This relaxing fragrance promotes a feeling of well-being with its good-for-you aromas that will immediately bring a smile to your face.
8. Nue Co Mind Energy
Nue Co Mind Energy uses patented neuroscience technology to formulate a scent that will stimulate new neural pathways and improve your focus. This calming scent refreshes your mind with a blend of cedar, geranium, clove, and pink peppercorn. The perfume was created to boost concentration, and notes like clary sage and juniper foster a sense of tranquility, allowing you to think deeply. Give this relaxing fragrance a spritz, and wave goodbye to mind fog.
9. Estée Lauder Blush Sands EDP
Allow your senses to escape with Estée Lauder Blush Sands EDP. This calming scent combines woods and spices to transport you to a dreamy beach setting. More mesmerizing notes like vetiver and musk follow, promoting a sense of tranquility. Spritz this relaxing fragrance if you want to find your center.
* If you loved learning about calming scents, you will enjoy exploring these articles on relaxing fragrances: Smell Good, Feel Even Better with Edeniste, Self-soothe with these feel-good fragrances, and Hit The Beach With This Functional Fragrance That Is A Mood Booster In A Bottle. Or, explore more must-have scents from designers like Michael Kors, Gucci, Prada, Juicy Couture, Burberry, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, and Issey Miyake.
