Perfume Preference By Age 2025
Fragrance preferences are evolving rapidly in 2025, shaped by generational values, digital influence, and lifestyle shifts. Younger consumers are discovering scents through social media, often drawn to influencer-endorsed or viral perfumes without ever smelling them firsthand. In contrast, older generations continue to value familiarity, longevity, and emotional resonance when choosing a fragrance.
From playful body mists for Gen Alpha to scent layering trends popular among Millennials and Gen Z, each age group brings unique motivations to the fragrance market. These differences highlight a growing demand for personalization, storytelling, and inclusive scent experiences. Understanding these age-based preferences offers critical insights for brands aiming to build deeper, long-lasting connections with their audiences.
Perfume Preference By Age 2025 (Editor's Choice)
Here are the top 10 perfume preferences by age group for 2025, reflecting current trends and consumer behaviors:
1. Gen Alpha (Ages 10–14): Playful and Affordable Scents
Young consumers are gravitating towards fun, fruity body mists and hair fragrances. Brands like Evereden offer kid-friendly options, contributing to a 94% increase in body mist sales in 2024.
2. Teen Boys (Ages 13–18): 'Smellmaxxing' with Designer Fragrances
A trend known as "smellmaxxing" sees teenage boys investing in high-end fragrances like Dior Sauvage and Tom Ford scents to enhance personal appeal. This movement, fueled by TikTok, led to a 26% increase in fragrance spending among this group.
3. Teen Girls (Ages 13–18): Social Media-Influenced Choices
Teen girls are influenced by platforms like TikTok, often purchasing fragrances based on influencer recommendations without prior testing. Sustainability and natural ingredients are also significant factors in their choices.
4. Gen Z (Ages 18–26): Individualistic and Experimental
Gen Z favors unique, unisex fragrances and enjoys layering scents to express individuality. Their engagement with fragrance content on social media platforms has made them the most active fragrance users, with 83% wearing scents regularly.
5. Millennials (Ages 27–42): Nostalgic and Sophisticated Gourmands
Millennials are drawn to gourmand fragrances with notes like vanilla, coffee, and caramel, evoking nostalgia and comfort. This age group appreciates complex scents that blend sweetness with sophistication.
6. Gen X (Ages 43–58): Refined and Storytelling Scents
Gen X consumers prefer fragrances that tell a story, often choosing earthy, musky florals or woody notes that reflect maturity and depth. They value long-lasting perfumes that align with their lifestyle and personal narratives.
7. Baby Boomers (Ages 59–77): Comforting and Classic
This group leans towards classic fragrances with soft florals, warm spices, and comforting gourmand notes. Scents that evoke nostalgia and provide a sense of security are particularly appealing.
8. Seniors (Ages 78+): Subtle and Familiar Aromas
Older adults often prefer subtle, familiar scents that are not overpowering. Their choices are influenced by a desire for comfort and the emotional connections associated with certain fragrances.
9. All Ages: Embracing Solid Perfumes
Solid perfumes are gaining popularity across age groups due to their portability, subtle application, and skin-friendly formulas. Brands like Glossier and Dior have introduced solid versions of their fragrances to cater to this trend.
10. All Ages: Layering and Personalization
Fragrance layering has become a widespread practice, allowing individuals to create personalized scent profiles. This trend reflects a broader desire for customization and self-expression in fragrance use.
These insights highlight how fragrance preferences in 2025 are deeply intertwined with age, cultural influences, and the desire for personal expression.
Perfume Preference By Age 2025 and Future Implications
Perfume Preference By Age 2025 #1. Gen Alpha (Ages 10–14): Playful and Affordable Scents
According to Byrdie, the demand for body mists and kid-friendly scents has surged, especially among pre-teens exploring fragrance for the first time. Brands like Evereden have seen strong traction with non-toxic, fruity, and gentle formulas. This reflects how Gen Alpha is being introduced to scent culture earlier than previous generations, often through products that double as skincare or hair care.
As they age, their early exposure to fragrance rituals may shape a deeper emotional connection to scent, making them more engaged perfume buyers in the future. Brands targeting this demographic will need to balance safety, affordability, and playful branding.
Perfume Preference By Age 2025 #2. Teen Boys (Ages 13–18): ‘Smellmaxxing’ with Designer Fragrances
The rise of “smellmaxxing” on platforms like TikTok, as noted by Wikipedia, has pushed young men to adopt luxury scents like Dior Sauvage and Tom Ford early on. This behavior is driven by social clout and perceived attractiveness, leading to a 26% spike in fragrance spending among teen boys.
As this trend grows, it may continue to reshape how masculinity and grooming are marketed to young men. Fragrance brands could lean into aspirational, image-driven messaging while expanding access through travel sizes and tiered pricing. The normalization of fragrance use at a younger age signals long-term brand loyalty if nurtured correctly.
Perfume Preference By Age 2025 #3. Teen Girls (Ages 13–18): Social Media-Influenced Choices
The Times reports that teen girls are increasingly buying perfumes based solely on TikTok recommendations—often without testing them in stores. These purchases are guided more by influencer culture, packaging aesthetics, and online hype than personal scent preferences. This impulsive, aesthetics-first behavior highlights the power of digital storytelling in fragrance marketing.
As more Gen Z teens prioritize sustainability and natural ingredients, brands that combine visually driven campaigns with clean-label transparency will likely dominate. It also suggests a growing opportunity for limited-edition drops and viral scent challenges.
Perfume Preference By Age 2025 #4. Gen Z (Ages 18–26): Individualistic and Experimental
Circana’s data reveals that Gen Z is the most engaged fragrance demographic, with 83% using perfume regularly. They’re also highly experimental—interested in unisex scents, niche brands, and scent layering to create personalized fragrance identities. Their buying patterns are driven by social media, brand authenticity, and the emotional experience a scent provides.
In the future, this age group will expect even more customizable options, digital try-ons, and purpose-driven branding. Brands that ignore inclusivity, sustainability, or personalization may risk losing this influential market.
Perfume Preference By Age 2025 #5. Millennials (Ages 27–42): Nostalgic and Sophisticated Gourmands
Southern Living highlights millennials' growing preference for gourmand fragrances with nostalgic, cozy notes like vanilla, coffee, or caramel. These scents evoke emotional comfort and familiarity while also satisfying their desire for complex, grown-up blends. Millennials often link fragrance to memory and mood, and they’re willing to invest in higher-quality perfumes that reflect this.
Looking ahead, brands that can connect scent to lifestyle, nostalgia, and self-care will continue to resonate with this age group. Signature scents with storytelling elements will likely remain in demand.
Perfume Preference By Age 2025 #6. Gen X (Ages 43–58): Refined and Storytelling Scents
According to Fargeot Natural Perfumes, Gen X favors perfumes with earthy, musky, and floral notes that feel sophisticated and emotionally grounded. They gravitate toward fragrances that tell a story—often tied to travel, nature, or personal history. Their buying behavior is less about trends and more about longevity and emotional resonance.
This opens the door for heritage brands and artisan perfumers who offer rich backstories and craftsmanship. As they value quality over quantity, limited-edition collections with narrative depth could become particularly successful.
Perfume Preference By Age 2025 #7. Baby Boomers (Ages 59–77): Comforting and Classic
Fargeot Natural Perfumes also points out that Baby Boomers prefer classic scents that feel warm and familiar, often with floral, amber, or spicy notes. Their fragrance use is deeply tied to memories and comfort, and they are loyal to brands they've trusted for decades.
As they age, they may seek out softer or skin-friendly formulations that maintain the essence of their beloved scents. For the future, reformulations of iconic fragrances into lighter versions or solid formats could keep this group engaged. Heritage storytelling, nostalgic branding, and accessibility will be key to sustaining this demographic.
Perfume Preference By Age 2025 #8. Seniors (Ages 78+): Subtle and Familiar Aromas
Older adults tend to opt for more subtle, powdery, or floral scents that are gentle on the senses. Again, Fargeot’s insights show that comfort and emotional connection play major roles in their fragrance choices. Many prefer a scent they’ve worn for years, or one that evokes feelings of safety and calm.
With sensitivities increasing at this age, hypoallergenic and alcohol-free perfumes will become more necessary. Brands catering to this group may find success with soft marketing, pharmacy accessibility, and reformulated classics.
Perfume Preference By Age 2025 #9. All Ages: Embracing Solid Perfumes
Vogue reports that solid perfumes are enjoying a revival due to their portability, skin-friendliness, and discreet scent application. From Gen Z to Baby Boomers, solid formats offer convenience and a touch of novelty. Brands like Glossier and Dior are tapping into this with sleek, refillable packaging that aligns with sustainability goals.
As consumers continue seeking versatile beauty products, solid perfumes could dominate travel, gym, and workplace scent routines. This format also enables fragrance layering and on-the-go experimentation, especially appealing to Gen Z and Millennials.
Perfume Preference By Age 2025 #10. All Ages: Layering and Personalization
Fragrance Outlet emphasizes the rising popularity of scent layering across all age groups. Consumers are increasingly mixing and matching fragrances to create unique scent identities tailored to their moods or occasions. This reflects a broader shift toward personalization in beauty and fashion.
As a result, brands are starting to release collections designed specifically for layering, often with neutral or complementary bases. Future success may hinge on offering guidance around scent combinations, as well as starter kits and discovery sets that let users build their own blends.
Future of Fragrance Marketing: Age-Inclusive Strategy is Key
The fragrance industry in 2025 reveals a clear pattern—scent preferences are deeply influenced by age, lifestyle, and cultural context. Younger generations are driven by experimentation, digital influence, and a desire for personalization, while older age groups prioritize familiarity, comfort, and emotional connection. This creates a diverse landscape where no single scent fits all, but rather, each generation demands a tailored approach.
Brands that succeed will be those that adapt their messaging, formats, and product lines to meet these distinct needs without alienating others. As consumer awareness around ingredients, sustainability, and self-expression continues to grow, marketers must craft campaigns that are both age-aware and emotionally intelligent to remain competitive.
Sources:
- https://www.circana.com/post/gen-z-accounts-for-the-highest-bump-in-fragrance-usage-circana-reports
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1379004/leading-fragrance-brands-among-gen-z-in-the-us/
- https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/beauty-personal-care/fragrances/worldwide
- https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Article/2025/01/07/fragrance-trends-in-2025-beyond/
- https://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Article/2025/01/08/fragrance-industry-2025-hyper-personalization-sustainability-and-the-wellness-wave/
- https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/01/15/3009838/28124/en/Perfume-Fragrances-Market-Outlook-2024-2029-and-Competitive-Analysis-of-Top-30-Players.html
- https://www.statista.com/topics/3327/fragrance-market-in-the-us/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/259221/global-fragrance-market-size/
- https://www.essencional.com/en/posts/the-niche-artistic-fragrance-year-in-review-bye-bye-2024-hello-2025/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/rise-fragrance-industry-sales-data-emerging-9cplc