Not Marshmallow, Not Vanilla—The Rich, Milky Fragrance That Will Be on Everyone’s Necks This Winter
The key to smelling decadent in 2026.
Gourmand lovers, lean in: The note to watch this winter is truly good enough to eat. Although, the space is growing increasingly refined with less of an emphasis on spun sugar and more of a buttery, toasted, somewhat savory appeal. We've already seen this shift in consumer tastes (pun intended) with the rise of marshmallow-infused blends—milky, bouncy confections that have a slightly toasted creaminess. Now, that toastiness takes a step further with the jump in rich, dulce de leche-inspired perfumes.
Allow DSM-Firmenich perfumer Erwan Raguenes to explain: "After the surge of milky, marshmallow-soft scents, richer edible notes like caramel and dulce de leche are emerging as new lead players, bringing a creamy, textured sweetness that feels warm and winter-ready," he previously told WWW about winter fragrance trends. What is a dulce de leche-like scent, you ask? Simply imagine that sweet, silky sauce bottled—smooth, buttery, and slightly nuttier than your run-of-the-mill caramel. That complexity gives it a rich depth that keeps the overall blend from giving you a sugar rush, so even the gourmand-averse among us might feel inclined to give the note a try—especially after browsing these 11 mouthwatering scents below (many of which are marked down for Sephora's holiday fragrance sale when you use the code SAVESCENTS at checkout!). I'd shop them now before the trend officially reaches fever pitch in 2026, and let the "You smell so good!" comments commence.
The 11 Best Caramel and Dulce de Leche-Inspired Scents to Try
"How do you make gourmand feel elevated and expensive?" Ellis Brooklyn founder Bee Shapiro asked herself before creating this yummy elixir. Queens Caramel was the final answer, dazzling with notes of caramel (duh), maple sugar, white chocolate, and milky musks, then sprinkled with pink salt to ensure it doesn't read too saccharine.
Caramel Skin is definitely on the sweeter side, but the addition of creamy sandalwood and musk add a touch of much-appreciated spice. Plus, it's a body mist, which means you can spritz generously without fear of overwhelming your senses.
A fellow editor recently told me that the last time she wore this buttercream, caramel crème, and whipped vanilla blend, her roommate assumed she had just baked something yummy. That said, if you're looking for a perfume that will convince others you reside in pastry shop, this is the one to pick. To cut through the sweetness, feel free to layer on a fruity or woodsy concoction (like Vanilla Woods!).
Warm, toasted macadamia nut give this caramelized vanilla mist even more of a roasted edge. Cheirosa 62 may be the most TikTok viral of the Sol de Janeiro bunch, but I wouldn't sleep on 71. Beauty editors swear this one is a compliment magnet.
While it's lighter and creamier than the original Good Girl Eau de Parfum (which is the perfect date-night scent, according to our "best perfumes" guide), Good Girl Légère relies on tangerine, jasmine, ylang-yang, tonka bean, and dulce de leche accord (there it is!) for a similarly warm, sensual aroma.
Demeter is known for turning singular notes (many of them unique and fantasy-like) into full-blown fragrances, so you can expect its Dulce De Leche blend to smell just like the real thing—creamy, rich, and slightly tart.
I'd be remiss not to call out Sabrina Carpenter's elevated caramel creation. It definitely leans dessert-inspired, but it actually has a sophisticated edge thanks to sandalwood and tiger orchid. If her original Sweet Tooth fragrance reads a bit too sugary for your tastes, I'd wager you'll appreciate the subtlety of Caramel Dream.
Don't sleep on Zara perfumes! So many of its offerings smell just as expensive as designer bottles, including this spiced caramel and golden amber confection. It's such a dreamy pick for winter, in my opinion.
Prada Candy will always be a nostalgic scent for me (one of my best friends wore it every day growing up). Yet the playful, sweet blend remains one of the brand's most popular bottles, and for a good reason: The combination of caramel accord, warm benzoin, and white musk transcends the test of time.
I absolutely love a fragrance you can't quite figure out, and this sizzling concoction of cardamom, pimento, salted butter caramel, and tobacco made me immediately raise a brow in the best way. To this day, it remains one of the most unique blends I've ever sniffed.
Okay, this isn't technically a perfume, but I have to round out the list with this Emily In Paris x Glasshouse Fragrances collab, launched just in time for the season 5 premiere. Meant to serve as a love letter to Paris, the bold, playful blend features notes of lychee, pear, raspberry, rose, vanilla, caramel, and praline, which only cements the fact that buttery, caramelized scents are on the rise in 2026. Emily Cooper, after all, is always game to embrace an emerging trend.
