Your skin deserves the VIP treatment. When deciding which beauty products to invest in, pausing to consider how your skin may respond to a fragrance may not always be a top priority for all perfume wearers. But for people who have sensitive skin, knowing which fragrances won't irritate your skin is a game-changer.
Ingredients to Avoid
While the word "hypoallergenic" is tricky when it comes to perfume (fragrances are known allergens, after all!), there are some perfumes that are better for sensitive, allergy-prone skin than others.
When shopping for perfume, be sure to read the label if you fall on the sensitive side. Try to avoid perfumes that have ingredients such as acetone, linalool, phthalates, and parabens. These ingredients can irritate allergy-prone skin. Take the time to discover perfumes that are safe to use. Believe me—your skin will thank you in the long run!
Read on to see the best perfumes and brands for allergy-prone, sensitive skin.
Skylar
Key notes: cappuccino, pure vanilla, caramelized cedar
Skylar was founded by Cat Chen after her daughter had an allergic reaction to her perfume. All Skylar perfumes are hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, vegan, and safe to use on sensitive skin. One of its best sellers, Vanilla Sky, is what I like to call the perfect vanilla cappuccino as a perfume—but better.
Customer Review: "I love this scent alone and also layered with Coconut Cove. It is so warm and cozy! The scent lasts quite a while, and I can understand why it's so highly rated. It's not an overly sweet gourmand vanilla, but more on the earthy side."
Key notes: bergamot, coconut, ambrox
Now that you're familiar with Skylar, here's another one of its fragrances you should have on your radar. Coconut Cove is crafted from a delicious blend of creamy coconut, jasmine, and gardenia.
Customer Review: "Got a sample of this perfect, and I'm obsessed! Takes me right back to a sunny tropical vacation with a mojito in my hand. The perfect summer scent!"
Henry Rose
Key notes: pink peppercorn, Turkish rose, amber woods
Famously founded by Michelle Pfeiffer in 2019, Henry Rose creates fine fragrances that are hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, and free of parabens and phthalates.
One of Henry Rose's best-selling fragrances, Sheep's Clothing, boasts a fresh approach to classic rose fragrances by juxtaposing its soft, powdery note of Turkish rose with amber woods and vibrant pink peppercorn.
Customer Review: "This fragrance is unbelievable! I am a huge fan of rose perfume, and Henry Rose found the perfect balance of rose with a gentle spicy back note. I get 1000 compliments every time I wear it, and it is never overwhelming."
Key notes: vanilla bean, rose, freesia, musk
This is another Henry Rose fragrance that has received high reviews and high exposure since its release. Rich and earthy, this one is the complete opposite of the aforementioned perfume, yet it stands on its own as a leader for floral and earthy fragrances.
Customer Review: "A perfect blend of vanilla and vetiver creates an alluring and comforting scent. Cannot believe how many compliments I get wearing this."
Nest New York
Key notes: Italian lemon, bergamot, wild figs, Moroccan tea
Add Nest New York to your list of high-performing and long-lasting perfumes that are cruelty-free and great for sensitive skin.
Moroccan tea is at the core of this warm, spicy, and exotic Nest New York eau de parfum. An exploration of the Mediterranean, this fragrance offers cool spices combined with bright fruits and warm woods.
Customer Review: "Really nice smelling perfume, a refreshing and delicious scent. Nothing like I've smelled before! It smells citrusy and warm but light at the same time. Could see this being a daytime or nighttime perfume."
Key notes: golden orchid, amber, musk
Check out another one of Nest New York's fragrances: Golden Nectar. It features a lovely mix of the nectar of golden orchids, vanilla, and musk for an altogether sensual and romantic finish.
Customer Review: "This fragrance is so good and lasts very long. If you are looking for a fresh peachy and floral scent, this is your go-to! Perfect for all seasons!"
Jo Malone London
Key notes: bluebell, persimmon, white musk
Jo Malone London is a household brand known for its timeless fragrances. They're as soft on the nose as they are on the skin.
The Wild Bluebell Cologne continues the tradition with a fresh, floral fragrance crafted from the perfect mixture of sweet florals, earthy greens, and cozy white musk.
Customer Review: "This is so unlike anything I've ever tried! My absolute favorite Jo Malone scent. It's floral, deep, soft, with a hit of juiciness and warmth... it's so lovely. Soft without being sweet or powdery. I have over 30 luxury fragrances and grab for this one almost everyday—that's saying a lot!"
Key notes: cassis, acacia honey, peach
Jo Malone's Nectarine Blossom
Honey is another one worth noting, especially for fans of fruity fragrances. It has bold, juicy notes of nectarine, peach, cassis, and white flowers balanced by a dash of acacia honey and peach.
Customer Review: "Smells amazing! It's delicate and not too overpowering. I am sensitive to strong perfume, so this is perfect for me. Fun to layer with other JM scents!"
The 7 Virtues
Key notes: myrrh, vanilla, sandalwood
All 7 Virtues fragrances are hypoallergenic and crafted without phthalates, parabens, or sulfates. They're also fully vegan and cruelty-free.
Santal Vanille is a long-lasting eau de parfum that balances coconut and cashmere with rich sandalwood and warm myrrh. For anyone looking for a perfume that's warm, spicy, and sweet, this one deserves all the hype it gets.
Customer Review: "This is simple and sexy. It's warm, grounded, and a bit sweet. It feels like a hug. I wanted something that smelled like true sandalwood but wasn't completely masculine."
Key notes: mandarin, orange blossom, labdanum
Looking for another inspired fragrance to tickle your nose? The 7 Virtues' Orange Blossom blends tangerine, mandarin, and bergamot with light and sweet notes of jasmine, amber, and ethically sourced orange blossom essential oil from Afghanistan.
Customer Review: "Yeah, this is by far one of the most beautiful, peaceful and incredible smelling scents I've ever found. Floral but not old smelling, lightly citrusy without being masculine or jarring, musky without being musky (if that makes sense)... I'm obsessed."
DedCool
Key notes: amber, bergamot, white musk
Have you spotted this It-girl brand on social media? DedCool was founded and created in 2016 by Carina Chaz at only 21. Each fragrance is crafted using sustainable ingredients.
This soft, cozy, and milky scent blends seamlessly with your chemistry for a unique eau de parfum that's quite literally all you.
Customer Review: "Absolutely in love with this fragrance! I've been wearing it every single day for the past few months. It's perfect by itself but so versatile when layered with another fragrance. It melts so beautifully into my skin and gives me such a unique personal scent."
Key notes: bergamot, vanilla, amber
Belonging to the warm and sheer fragrance families, DedCool's Taunt Eau de Parfum does just what you'd think: use a sensual blend of bergamot, vanilla, and amber that's as sexy and fabulous as you are.
Customer Review: "This is a soft, lasting, beautiful scent that you can't get enough of. I get compliments on it every time I wear it. It is so light and luxurious. I will definitely continue to explore DedCool fragrances."
Maison Louis Marie
Key notes: grapefruit, cedarwood, patchouli
If you're in need of a fragrance with a French touch, try Maison Louis Marie. The company is dedicated to using formulas that are vegan, cruelty-free, and free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
This eau de parfum is earthy and woodsy with delightful notes of citrus, cedarwood, and patchouli. It makes me imagine a summer's day spent tucked away in a cozy cabin in the woods.
Customer Review: "I am absolutely obsessed with this perfume! I'm not huge on sweet or floral perfumes and tend to lean more towards earthy, woody, and sharp citrus scents."
Key notes: sandalwood, vetiver, amber wood
A little less cabin-like is Maison Louis Marie's No. 04 Bois de Balincourt Perfume Oil. It's simple and light, with a warm and woody fragrance supplemented by spicy cinnamon and nutmeg.
Customer Review: "One of my all-time favorites! Unisex, easy to wear. It's comforting, cozy, and has personality while being inoffensive. You could wear this to the office, to the beach, on a hike, or special date night."
Malin+Goetz
Key Notes: Italian bergamot, grapefruit peel, Haitian vetiver
Malin+Goetz is a family-owned and operated brand founded in 2004 with the goal of catering to the needs of people with sensitive skin.
Inspired by the dual nature of the grassy vetiver, this Malin+Goetz perfume combines bright citrus, fresh cardamom, and cozy notes of warm amber for a fragrance that's clean and smoky.
Customer Review: "This is easily in my top 3 fragrances ever. It's such a clean, refreshing fragrance in its own unique way! Very smooth and easy to love! I love that it can be worn during any season and is also very unisex!"
By Rosie Jane
Key notes: fig, amber, gardenia
Meet By Rosie Jane. It's a fine fragrance brand dedicated to clean and vegan fragrances that is great for anyone looking to upgrade their collection.
If you aren't sure if you prefer earthy, floral, or light fragrances, By Rosie Jane's James Eau de Parfum won't make you choose. It's all three, creating a scent that's as airy as it is earthy with a whisper of powdery, fresh florals.
Customer Review: "If you're looking for a new signature scent or a backbone for your perfume wardrobe, try James. It's the perfect blend for nearly every occasion with a base of comforting amber but something so distinctive and cool between the gardenia and fig on top."
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
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