Scent Profile Popularity Data 2025
In 2025, scent preferences are shifting in bold and unexpected directions, blending emotion, nostalgia, and innovation. Consumers are no longer satisfied with one-dimensional fragrances—they’re looking for complexity, personalization, and mood-enhancing qualities that reflect their identity and lifestyle. As perfume becomes part of wellness routines and self-expression, niche and mainstream brands alike are experimenting with ingredients once considered too subtle, too bold, or too unconventional.
Trends like gourmand reinventions, skin-like musks, and milky rice accords reflect a larger cultural movement toward sensorial storytelling. Meanwhile, maximalist scents are staging a comeback, offering unapologetic nostalgia in an era of quiet luxury. The data below highlights the most influential scent profiles of the year and what they reveal about the future of fragrance.
Scent Profile Popularity Data 2025 (Editor's Choice)
Based on current industry insights and expert analyses, here are the top 10 fragrance trends shaping 2025:
1. Gourmand Evolution
Gourmand fragrances are expanding beyond traditional sweet notes. Expect sophisticated blends featuring vanilla, caramel, coffee, almond, and even cereal undertones, offering a comforting yet complex aroma.
2. Milky and Rice Accords
Soft, creamy scents reminiscent of steamed rice and milk are gaining popularity. These notes provide a clean, comforting profile that sits close to the skin.
3. Fruity Florals with Depth
Traditional fruity scents are being reimagined with richer, more mature profiles. Notes like cherry, plum, mango, and apricot are combined with woody and spicy elements for a sophisticated twist.
4. Reinvented Florals
Classic floral notes such as rose, violet, and iris are being modernized. Perfumers are incorporating elements like woods, spices, and musks to create multifaceted floral fragrances.
5. Musk and Oud Resurgence
There's a growing interest in musk and oud notes, known for their deep, rich qualities. Modern interpretations offer lighter, more natural-smelling versions suitable for everyday wear.
6. Citrus and Yuzu Accents
Bright, energizing citrus notes, particularly yuzu and grapefruit, are trending. These scents provide a refreshing and invigorating experience, especially popular in warmer seasons.
7. Maximalist and Retro Influences
Inspired by the bold fragrances of the 1970s and 1980s, there's a shift towards more expressive, layered scents. Expect perfumes with earthy, smoky, and textured notes that evoke nostalgia.
8. Skin-Enhancing Scents
Fragrances designed to enhance the wearer's natural scent are on the rise. These subtle compositions, often featuring clean musks, aim to create a "your-skin-but-better" effect.
9. Solid and Alcohol-Free Perfumes
Solid perfumes and alcohol-free formulations are gaining traction. They offer portability, skin-friendliness, and a more intimate scent experience.
10. Mood-Enhancing Fragrances
There's an increasing focus on fragrances that influence mood and well-being. Incorporating aromatherapeutic ingredients, these scents aim to evoke specific emotional responses.
These trends reflect a dynamic shift in the fragrance industry, emphasizing personalization, emotional connection, and innovative scent compositions.
Scent Profile Popularity Data 2025 and Future Implications
Scent Profile Popularity Data 2025 #1. Gourmand Evolution – Source: Southern Living
Gourmand fragrances are no longer confined to syrupy-sweet vanillas or dessert-like profiles. In 2025, they're evolving into more layered interpretations, incorporating notes like burnt sugar, cereal milk, almond, and salted caramel. This shift caters to consumers seeking comforting, nostalgic scents without overwhelming sweetness.
The growing complexity of gourmand profiles mirrors a broader consumer desire for “edible elegance” in fragrance. Going forward, we can expect fragrance houses to experiment with unexpected culinary pairings that balance sweetness with spice, smoke, or earthiness.
Scent Profile Popularity Data 2025 #2. Milky and Rice Accords – Source: Business Insider
Milky, lactonic, and steamed rice notes have surged in popularity due to their subtlety and skin-like familiarity. These scents evoke calm, minimalism, and intimacy—qualities highly valued in today’s overstimulated world. The appeal lies in their ability to smell “clean” but not synthetic, making them ideal for close-contact wear.
As more consumers lean into quiet luxury and understated elegance, rice and milk accords may anchor future minimalist fragrance collections. Niche perfumers are likely to lead the way, but larger brands will follow to meet demand for soothing, sensorial experiences.
Scent Profile Popularity Data 2025 #3. Fruity Florals with Depth – Source: Allure
Fruity florals are being reinvented with darker, more sensual layers, incorporating rich stone fruits like cherry and plum blended with woods and spices. The goal is to maintain the playful energy of fruity scents while adding sophistication and longevity. This hybrid profile appeals to younger consumers growing into more mature olfactory preferences without fully abandoning brightness.
The layering also allows for greater personalization and seasonal versatility. In the future, we’ll likely see these combinations dominate evening and luxury markets, especially with Gen Z buyers seeking complexity.
Scent Profile Popularity Data 2025 #4. Reinvented Florals – Source: Harper’s Bazaar
Florals remain a fragrance staple, but in 2025, they’re being radically reimagined. Think rose with oud, iris with leather, or violet layered with spices. These contrasts refresh traditional floral archetypes, making them feel modern and unisex.
Consumers no longer want safe or powdery florals—they want nuance and edge. As scent identity becomes more fluid and diverse, brands that can modernize heritage floral notes will gain cross-generational appeal.
Scent Profile Popularity Data 2025 #5. Musk and Oud Resurgence – Source: Who What Wear
The renewed interest in musk and oud is driven by a desire for deeper, more sensual fragrance profiles. Oud, once considered too heavy for mass markets, is now being softened and paired with white musk to create wearable yet luxurious expressions. This evolution signals a rising appreciation for culturally rich ingredients and sustainable sourcing.
Musk, often used for skin-enhancing effects, continues to bridge the gap between sensuality and subtlety. Looking ahead, this trend suggests continued growth in cross-cultural fragrance storytelling and olfactory diversity.
Scent Profile Popularity Data 2025 #6. Citrus and Yuzu Accents – Source: Business Insider
Citrus scents are having a vibrant comeback, especially with Japanese yuzu gaining attention for its tart yet floral character. These uplifting notes align with wellness and mental clarity, making them ideal for daytime or functional fragrances. Consumers see citrus as energizing and mood-boosting, particularly in climates where freshness is valued year-round.
Fragrance brands are leaning into this by positioning citrus profiles within “feel-good” and hybrid wellness categories. Expect to see yuzu and grapefruit notes included in home scents, skincare hybrids, and unisex ranges.
Scent Profile Popularity Data 2025 #7. Maximalist and Retro Influences – Source: The Times UK
Inspired by the bold compositions of the 1970s and 1980s, maximalist scents are reclaiming space on the shelf. These fragrances feature strong sillage, punchy patchouli, heavy florals, and vintage aldehydes. After years of minimalist trends, consumers are gravitating toward expressive, personality-driven perfumes that feel nostalgic and defiant.
This trend reflects a broader cultural interest in retro aesthetics and reclaiming loudness as luxury. As a result, archival reissues and reinterpretations from major fragrance houses are set to rise.
Scent Profile Popularity Data 2025 #8. Skin-Enhancing Scents – Source: Harper’s Bazaar
“Your-skin-but-better” fragrances are trending thanks to their clean, barely-there composition. These blends often include musk, soft ambroxan, and iso-e super to enhance natural body scent rather than mask it. Consumers appreciate the versatility—these scents layer well and are appropriate in both personal and professional settings.
The popularity also ties into the quiet luxury movement, where subtlety is the ultimate sophistication. This minimal, second-skin trend will likely remain a core pillar in both niche and mainstream fragrance categories.
Scent Profile Popularity Data 2025 #9. Solid and Alcohol-Free Perfumes – Source: Vogue
Solid perfumes and alcohol-free formulations are experiencing renewed demand, driven by sustainability, travel convenience, and skin sensitivity concerns. Brands are innovating with wax-based and water-based carriers that maintain scent integrity while reducing irritation. These formats are often more eco-friendly, offering recyclable or refillable packaging options.
As fragrance becomes part of self-care routines, the demand for gentle, non-drying formulas will grow. We’ll likely see mainstream brands invest in portable formats and hybrid skincare-fragrance innovations.
Scent Profile Popularity Data 2025 #10. Mood-Enhancing Fragrances – Source: SpaceNK
Aromatherapeutic and emotionally driven scents are capturing consumer interest, especially as wellness merges with beauty. Brands are formulating perfumes designed to soothe anxiety, improve focus, or uplift mood using ingredients like lavender, bergamot, frankincense, and palo santo. This reflects a shift in how people view fragrance—not just as a beauty product, but as a tool for emotional support.
As neuroscience and perfumery intersect, mood-centric perfumes are poised to influence both marketing strategies and product development in the wellness space.
The Future of Fragrance Is Personal, Purposeful, and Multi-Sensory
The scent profile trends of 2025 show that fragrance is no longer just about smelling pleasant—it’s about connection, memory, mood, and meaning. From milky accords that evoke softness and comfort to retro power scents that reclaim individuality, the evolving olfactory landscape speaks to a growing demand for personalization and emotional depth.
As consumers seek more purpose-driven products, fragrance brands will continue to innovate at the intersection of tradition and transformation. Whether it’s through alcohol-free formats, skin-enhancing notes, or scent-based wellness tools, the future of fragrance lies in its ability to adapt to the wearer’s story. The most successful brands in the coming years will be those that blend artistry with utility, offering scents that resonate on both personal and cultural levels.
Sources:
- https://www.southernliving.com/gourmand-fragrances-11686316
- https://www.businessinsider.com/best-fragrances-and-scents-to-wear-in-2025-professional-perfumers
- https://www.allure.com/story/2025-fragrance-trends
- https://www.spacenk.com/us/inside-space/in-focus/top-fragrance-trends.html
- https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/health/a64276889/2025-perfume-trends
- https://www.whowhatwear.com/beauty/fragrance/2025-fragrance-trends
- https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/1970s-perfumes-trend-retro-jg5cbnh2l
- https://www.vogue.com/article/best-solid-perfumes
- https://www.spacenk.com/us/inside-space/in-focus/top-fragrance-trends.html
- https://www.businessinsider.com/best-fragrances-and-scents-to-wear-in-2025-professional-perfumers