Much like the French have their beauty hallmarks (for example, French perfume and pharmacy skincare), Scandinavian countries also have their distinctive style when it comes to Scandi beauty. From Scandi skincare and Scandi nail trends to Scandi haircuts, the Scandi woman's way of approaching beauty is instantly recognisable. More often than not, it's rooted in chic design and concepts that mirror a minimalistic approach to life in all areas, and the same goes for Scandi perfumes.
Rather than heady floral scents or gourmand excess, these scents capture the purity of pine forests, the sharpness of sea air and the calm clarity of fresh snow. Which, in turn, makes the the ultimate palette cleanser in a world of "beast mode" perfumes that overwhelm the senses. Many Scandi scents are designed to be worn daily without overpowering—they sit close to the skin for you to enjoy for yourself.
In fact, many Scandi fragrance houses were some of the first to champion not just the notion of genderless scent, but also sustainable fragrance production and packaging, as well as the pared-back designs that have now become commonplace in the olfactory world. Scroll on the best Scandi perfumes you'll want to add to your dressing table next.
The Best Scandi Perfumes
1. Byredo
Perhaps the chicest and most-loved of all the Scandi perfume brands is Byredo. Founded in Stockholm in 2006 by Ben Gorham, its fragrances evoke universal emotions and memories (think Bibliotheque, which captures the sweet smell of old books in a library) while drawing upon the sleek minimalism of Scandinavian design—the monochrome, dome-topped bottles are inherently something you want on your dressing table. I have to admit, I've not met a Byredo fragrance that I didn't like, but I have a soft spot for Mojave Ghost, a sultry woody-musk that gets me endless compliments, and Vanille Antique, a glowing resinous take on vanilla that is utterly addictive.
Key notes: Aldehyde, black pepper, neroli, rose absolute, violet, jasmine, cashmeran, musks, ambroxan, cashmere woods
Blanche is the feeling of being bundled in freshly laundered sheets. It's clean and skin-like, and the new absolu is significantly longer-lasting than the original eau de parfum.
Key notes: Ambrette, nesberry, magnolia, sandalwood, violet, cedarwood, musks, vetiver
Mojave Ghost is a dreamy, hypnotic woody-musk that lingers beautifully on the skin.
Key notes: Freesia, plum, amber, cashmere woods, oud, tuberose absolute, Madagascar vanilla beans, cistus oil
Part of the Night Veils collection, Vanille Antique has a potent extrait perfume formula (think endless projection from the skin), and the golden vanilla scent is the most luxurious I've ever tried.
Want to find your favourite Byredo scent? This Byredo discovery set allows you to try the best Byredo perfumes and then redeem the cost on a 50ml or 100ml bottle.
2. Other Stories
If you want a Scandi fragrance that won't make your bank account cry, then don't sleep on Other Stories perfumes. Leave it to Sweden’s most stylish high-street export to bring chic yet affordable perfumes into our everyday routines. Other Stories’ fragrance collection is built around a sense of playfulness, but they don't smell like your typical high street perfumes—they smell luxurious. Some of the noses behind Other Stories perfumes are also behind fragrances from Byredo and Victoria Beckham Beauty. The uncomplicated blends nod to notes from nature, while the packaging mirrors the brand’s effortless aesthetic.
Key notes: Guava, pink freesia, rose absolute, saffron, Indian jasmine, patchouli, black amber, vanilla beans
"This is my favourite-ever
Other Stories perfume. It's a deep floral with hints of vanilla that reminds me of balmy nights on holiday," says freelance contributor, Mica Ricketts. "I have repurchased this scent so many times. Despite only costing £32, it smells incredibly expensive, and it lasts so well on the skin."
Key notes: Mandarin, pepper, sandalwood, orris, musk, cashmere
If you like skin scents, you'll adore this one. The smooth woody-musk scent is both fresh yet comforting and clings closely to the skin.
Key notes: Caramel, red apple, bamboo, jasmine, ylang, vanilla, warm milk accord, sandalwood
This body mist is a holiday in a bottle—think creamy coconut laced with warm vanilla.
3. Maya Njie
Although based in London, Maya Njie’s Swedish and Gambian roots shine through her eponymous perfume house. Her scents combine a love of family heritage and memories in tandem with a Scandi appreciation for raw materials that evoke a sense of shared nostalgia. Take Nordic Cedar, which captures a family photo of Nije's family at a cabin near Swedish woodlands with its woodsy, aromatic notes that are grounding and invigorating as a walk in the forest.
Key notes: Cardamom, patchouli, musk, cedarwood, amber
This perfume is the moment you take your first breath of forest air as you walk into a dewy woodland.
Key notes: Vanilla, cardamom, patchouli, musk, cedarwood, amber
A powdery, gourmand take on vanilla that feels both nostalgic and modern.
Key notes: Bergamot, neroli, fig, magnolia, musk, wood
Like a breath of fresh air, this green floral is a citrus scent with crunchy perfume character.
4. COS
Much to the delight of ourBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK beauty editors, Cos extended its minimalist design language into fragrance this year, and some of the scents have become some of my new favourites—they could easily pass for four times the price. Cos perfumes channel the same ethos of simplicity and timelessness of its clothing with an understated Scandi sophistication, and they're very long-lasting, too. Auburn speaks to me the most from the collection and especially at this time of the year—it's the most perfect autumn perfume that makes you feel like you're sitting by a roaring fire with a warm, spiced beverage.
Key notes: Coffee, cardamom, clove, vanilla, ylang ylang, sandalwood, cistus, labdanum
Both warm and cosy, this autumnal scent lingers on your knitwear for hours on end.
Key notes: Ginger, bergamot, cardamom, vetiver, wood, violet, amyris
The aromatic notes give it an invigorating twist that melts into a floral, woody base that's utterly addictive.
Key notes: Incense, styrax, black pepper, ambrox, helvetolide, elemi, cistus, cedarwood, benzoin, muscenone, myrrh
Musky, woody and amber-like, this is another of my favourite COS perfumes.
Want to try all four scents? This perfume discovery set is a great way to try them all before buying a full-size bottle.
5. Bibbi
Founded by creative designer Bibbi Sæmundsen, this niche fragrance brand embraces storytelling through her vivid moments during meditation. With her magic, she's bottled the feeling of a masked ball, swimming naked in a pool and the feeling of love at first sight. Think hypnotic woods, inky teas and powdery florals that exude a cool Scandi aesthetic and conjure a dream-like world. Housed in bright blue accents and fluted glass bottles, they're just as much a treat for the eyes as they are for the nose.
Key notes: Italian bergamot, mate, black currant, Ceylon black tea, violet leaves, birch tree, black amber, Indian papyrus
This is one of Bibbi's bestsellers, which is a beautiful take on a tea scent.
Key notes: Peach, carrot, Chinese orris butter, peony, vanilla, leather accord
A dreamy, powdery interpretation of iris that feels both modern and nostalgic simultaneously.
Key notes: Chinese eucalyptus, Egyptian geranium, ambroxan, wet grass, white woods
If you want to smell like you're diving into a glittering pool in Italy, this is the scent to try.
Try five of Bibbi's most iconic scents in this discovery set.
6. Björk Berries
Born out of a small family farm in northern Sweden, Björk Berries is rooted in nature and sustainability. Its fragrances capture the Swedish landscapes, with wild forests and crisp air, all bottled with eco-conscious consideration for the environment. "A classic in Swedish fragrance—Bjork Berries is known for its cult, clean and 'ecoluxury' scents with natural healing properties," says acting deputy editor, Rebecca Rhys-Evans. "But I mainly love it for its incredibly well-designed bottles. I only have one, White Forest, but it's so fresh and clean that I've used almost all of it in just six months."
Key notes: Bergamot, black currant, lemon, violet, lily of the valley, vetiver, tonka bean, cedarwood
Imagine a snow-dusted pine forest, and that's exactly how this perfume smells.
Key notes: Pomelo, kumquat, lavender, eucalyptus, apple blossom, jasmine, vetiver smoke, papyrus, guaiac wood, pink praline
September captures the change in seasons on the Swedish farm, with warm hay and freshly chopped logs.
Key notes: Green apple, cassis, black tea, lush green accord, patchouli, vetiver, birch tree
One spritz will have you transported into an aromatic Swedish garden.
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