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Like me, you may have heard of pheromone perfumes while scrolling through TikTok or your favourite fragrance forums. If you're scratching your head, pheromones are substances that are secreted by animals to silently signal messages to each other and arouse certain involuntary responses. However, in fragrances, 'these perfumes aim to create a subtle yet intriguing allure, making the wearer more magnetic and appealing to those around them,' says Jacqui Rubinoff, the co-owner and vice president of Eye of Love.
That said, pheromone perfumes, in that sense, may not technically exist. 'In the realm of fragrances, the concept of ‘pheromone perfumes’ is often misconstrued. While some products may contain compounds like iso e super, which can stimulate specific pheromone receptors, genuine pheromones aren’t typically found in perfumes. There are no exact replicas of the body's pheromones lining the shelves of perfumeries,' explains Geza Schoen, a perfumer and the founder of Escentric Molecules. However, fear not—there are still many perfumes out there that are considered 'pheromone perfumes' for their ability to enhance and boost the natural scent of your skin. The best pheromone perfumes, like skin scents, are warm and lie close to the skin, interacting beautifully with your body chemistry to create a niche scent nobody else can replicate. When I wear them, I find that both close friends and random passersby stop me to ask, 'What are you wearing?'
Top picks for the best pheromone perfumes in 2024
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Whether you’re into subtler scents or looking to attract someone in particular, there’s a pheromone perfume out there that you’re bound to love. We spoke to trusted perfume experts, researched online, and put quite a few to the test ourselves to curate this guide to the eight best pheromone perfumes money can buy.
Shop The Best Pheromone Perfumes For Every Occasion
Missing Person has captured the hearts of thousands at first sniff. Its musky scent melts beautifully into the skin, and subtle touches of floral and woody notes imbue it with a mesmerizing depth and complexity.
Key notes: Skin musk, bergamot, nectar, sheer jasmine, cyclamen, neroli blossom, orange flower, Australian sandalwood, blonde wood, white musk
According to Schoen, this perfume contains a single note, Iso E Super, “which can stimulate specific pheromone receptors.” The soft, ambery scent resembles cedarwood and has a certain je ne sais quoi that keeps us coming back to it time after time.
Key notes: ISO E Super
Diptyque has managed to bottle the delicious scent of bookstores, bestowing upon us a smell akin to the pages of a newly bound book. Fresh, musky, and slightly peppery, the mysterious and alluring L'Eau Papier grounds itself in a deep blonde wood.
Key notes: White musks, mimosa, blonde woods accord, rice steam accord
Perfumer Ben Gorham had a singular mission: to capture the color white in a scent. It’s safe to say he succeeded; upon smelling this perfume, you’re filled with visions of fresh linens, white roses, and puffy clouds floating in a perfect blue sky.
Key notes: White rose, pink pepper, aldehyde, violet, neroli, peony, blonde woods, sandalwood, musk
If you walk the streets of New York City on any given day, you’re sure to catch a whiff of the beloved Glossier You. The best part about this scent is that it smells slightly different on each wearer; the fragrance consists of a supporting cast of base notes that bolster the main character—you.
Key notes: Pink pepper, ambrox, iris, ambrette seeds
This perfume, or fragrance enhancer, features notes of bergamot, Iso E Super, and ambrox super, which combine to form a fresh, woody aroma. Wear it on its own for an understated everyday scent, or layer it to make any fragrance uniquely yours.
Key notes: Bergamot, amber, sandalwood, Iso E Super
Carol Lee is the Associate E-Commerce Writer at ELLE.com, where she covers all things beauty and personal care. Before joining the team, she was an editor at Food Network Magazine and HGTV Magazine and ran the beauty section at The Pioneer Woman. Carol received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from New York University and was one of the first customers to visit Glossier’s flagship store in New York’s Soho neighborhood. Over the years, she’s tested countless makeup, hair, and skin care products, and written hundreds of articles covering the beauty space, from pieces about the trendiest launches to roundups of the best products on the market. As a Korean-American, she grew up in a sea of Korean makeup and skin care products and is a bona fide expert on the ever-expanding world of K-beauty, helping lead our coverage. Additionally, she’s also always on the hunt for the perfect lipstick and watches the same few comfort sitcoms (Frasier, Cheers, Seinfeld, New Girl, etc.) over and over again.
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