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The 11 Best Pheromone Perfumes That Shake Up the Laws of Attraction

Consider these scents je ne sais quoi in a bottle

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At their core, the most popular perfumes are magnetic to the ones who experience them. Within a series of tiered notes lies the power to unlock core memories, shift moods, or—in the case of the best pheromone perfumes—use the laws of nature to draw a person closer to you through fragrance. Pheromone or skin scents blend raw ingredients and traditional fragrance notes with synthetic pheromones to create the smell of clean skin kissed with hints of sensuality and intrigue. It's your skin, but better.

“Pheromones are molecules that are not made to activate the olfactory system but the pheromone system, to elicit a behavior,” master perfumer and chemist Christophe Laudamiel tells Bazaar. As pheromones are substances given off by the body to attract someone else, Laudamiel adds, these substances are extremely species-specific, which means only other humans are affected by human pheromones.

Shop the Best Pheromone Perfumes



These intoxicating blends typically feature woody, gourmand, or powdery notes that encourage comfort and intimacy, often connecting to a deeper carnal desire than some brighter fruit-forward or floral scents. Ultimately though, it all comes down to personal scent preference. If it's an aura realignment or magnetism shift you're after, we’ve rounded up some of the best pheromone perfumes, from Glossier, Maison Margiela Replica, and more. These editor and expert-loved scents can casually spark attraction for any fragrance lover.


Glossier

You

You
Credit: Glossier

Pros

  • Also available as a rollerball

Cons

    Glossier You’s warm and slightly floral formula aims to highlight your skin’s natural scent. The blend features key notes of pink peppercorn, iris, and Ambrox, letting you shine through after it dries down.

    One satisfied customer writes: “This scent is absolutely perfect! Soft and subtle, clean and fresh. I love that I can wear this to the office. I have co-workers who are extremely sensitive to perfumes and this doesn’t phase them, they actually compliment me on how I smell.” —Miranda M.

    Maison Margiela Replica

    Lazy Sunday Morning

    Lazy Sunday Morning
    Credit: Sephora

    Pros

    • Great for everyday wear

    Cons

    • Not ideal for those who prefer gourmand scents

    The name of Maison Margiela Replica’s warm floral fragrance perfectly suits its blend of lily of the valley, iris, and white musk. A few spritzes can mentally transport you to the ease of a lazy weekend, lounging in a bed made with crisp, clean sheets.

    One satisfied customer writes: “Clean and lovely. I wear it to bed and when I wake up. I catch whiffs of it throughout the day that smell floral but like fresh flowers not overly heady.” —hulieta

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    Byredo

    Slow Dance Eau de Parfum

    Slow Dance Eau de Parfum
    Credit: Neiman Marcus

    Pros

    • Versatile

    Cons

      Slow Dance’s sweet myrrh, geranium, violet, and vanilla notes may unlock memories of high school dances or even your very first kiss. Its blend is paradoxical, mixing masculine and feminine, smoky and sweet, for a nicely balanced fragrance.

      Pure Instinct

      The Original Pheromone-Infused Essential Oil Perfume Cologne

      The Original Pheromone-Infused Essential Oil Perfume Cologne
      Credit: Amazon

      Pros

      • Travel-friendly

      Cons

      • Not ideal for those allergic to essential oils

      This essential oil blend contains notes of mandarin, mango, honey, and white musk. What gives it a pheromonal edge is that the fragrance changes based on your skin's pH, which makes its scent completely unique to everyone who wears it.

      • Key notes: Honey, cinnamon, mandarin orange, Australian mango, white musk

      One satisfied customer writes: “I love wearing this I feel like I cannot leave the house without wearing it. I get so many compliments I’ve worn it without perfume and with. It enhances your smell and attracts a lot of attention.” —Taniyah T.

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      D.S. & Durga

      I Don't Know What Eau de Parfum

      I Don't Know What Eau de Parfum
      Credit: Neiman Marcus

      Pros

      • Layers well with other perfumes

      Cons

      • Over $200

      This unique scent is becoming a viral hit, but it'll still smell unique to you when wearing it. Technically, it's a "fragrance enhancer" meaning that when worn alone, it'll play up your natural body chemistry. Or you can layer it with another perfume or a fragrance oil to bring out key scent notes.

      Phlur

      Missing Person Eau de Parfum

      Missing Person Eau de Parfum
      Credit: Revolve

      Pros

      • Plays well with most scents

      Cons

        You know when you can smell the scent of someone you’ve embraced long after they’re gone? That’s exactly what Phlur’s Missing Person captures in a bottle. Its notes of skin musk, bergamot nectar, and blonde wood work well alone, or this scent can serve as the perfect base layer to a range of fragrances.

        One satisfied customer writes: “Love this fragrance so much! it’s perfect for every day and work. the scent is very subtle but I get compliments all the time!” —Anonymous

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        Moodeaux

        Worthy IntenScenual Eau de Parfum

        Worthy IntenScenual Eau de Parfum
        Credit: Credo Beauty

        Pros

        • Aims to promote mindfulness and influence mood

        Cons

        • May not be ideal for layering

        Worthy plays up your body’s natural pheromones, and basically smells like a hug in a bottle. Its notes of white tea, red rose, and dry musk are best worn on hydrated skin for added longevity.

        One satisfied customer writes: “This has become my new everyday fragrance, and it is elevated enough to wear into the evening. I get so many compliments.” —SarahhhS.

        Diptyque

        L'Eau Papier Eau de Toilette

        L'Eau Papier Eau de Toilette

        Pros

        • Long-lasting

        Cons

        • May not be ideal for those looking for more gourmand scents

        This is one of those scents that you can't quite put your finger on the notes, but that's what also makes it so intriguing. L'Eau Papier blends white musks, mimosa, blonde woods accord, and an unexpected rice steam accord. It settles nicely into a fresh second skin with a lingering magnetism.

        Skylar

        Nude Skin

        Nude Skin
        Credit: Skylar

        Pros

        • Great for layering

        Cons

        • Some reviewers say scent is not strong enough

        Skylar's Nude Skin aims to bottle the feeling of silk on skin with a single fragrance. Featuring a blend of tiger orchid, vanilla, and amber, the clean scent uses minimal ingredients to make a long-lasting impact.

        One satisfied customer writes: "This scent is soft, subtle, and romantic." —Kristy P.

        Clean Reserve

        Skin [Reserve Blend]

        Skin [Reserve Blend]

        Pros

        • Features clean ingredients
        • Great for vanilla lovers

        Cons

        • Some reviewers say the scent fades quickly

        Clean Reserve Skin blends warm notes of musk, copaiba oil, and salted praline into a subtle floral musk that feels cozy, and like the best version of your bare skin. It evokes a certain type of intimacy like curling up next to another warm body.

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        Escentric Molecules

        Molecule 01 Eau de Toilette

        Molecule 01 Eau de Toilette
        Credit: Neiman Marcus

        Pros

        • Refreshes throughout the day without reapplication

        Cons

        • Blend may not be robust enough for some

        As the name suggests, Molecule 01 taps into the science of scent. ISO E-Super is a fragrance molecule of sheer sandalwood that hovers in low levels in the background of other perfumes. In this iteration, the note is isolated into a singular skin scent that works with the body's olfactory system to slowly release with body chemistry shifts.

        Meet the experts

        best pheromone perfumes
        • Christophe Laudamiel is a French perfumer and chemist, and cofounder of DreamAir Creative Studios in New York City. He has worked with companies like Procter & Gamble, Fragrance Resources, International Flavors and Fragrances, and more.
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        best pheromone perfumes

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