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These Bedtime Perfumes Are the Key to a Better Night’s Sleep
A spritz or two could cure insomnia.
Confession: I’m a bit of an insomniac. Trust me, I’ve employed all the sleep-inducing supplements and powders, and even tried the TikTok-viral tart cherry juice mix. I have every color “noise” playlist you can think of saved and was even convinced to buy a magnesium spray to apply to my feet at night. While these methods have helped tremendously, none came close to one simple trick: applying a bedtime perfume.
So simple, but incredibly effective, bedtime perfumes help promote the relaxation and calmness needed to slip into R.E.M and beyond. “A bedtime fragrance evokes relaxation and peace at the end of a long day,” Jennifer Capuano, Macy’s VP of fragrance, explains. “It’s nice to spritz a light fragrance onto your pajamas or your pillow before bed, or even placing a drop of two of an essential oil on the wrists or neck can help set the mood for the evening. Whatever you choose should be light to minimize distraction.” After all, the point is to encourage a good night’s rest, and stronger, bolder notes can completely throw you off.
Common notes associated with relaxation are ones typically found in a spa, including eucalyptus, lavender, sage, and chamomile. However, if spritzing your skin raises concerns about possibly staining your sheets or pillow, which could potentially trigger breakouts for us acne-prone folks, Vincent suggests spraying your pajamas instead. “This way, the fragrance can linger without the need for frequent linen changes,” she says.
Ahead, we combed through dozen of online customer reviews, polled fragrance experts, and perused our personal perfume collection to find the most calming, soothing perfumes worthy enough to be worn while you catch some Zzz’s.
Pros
- Not too overpowering
Cons
- The scent doesn’t linger long
A waft of Dream evokes a feeling true to its name—a soft, delicate, and warm embrace of gourmands and white florals that’s as comforting as it is alluring.
Key notes: Vanilla bourbon, cinnamon, magnolia, sandalwood
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Sephora rating: 4.5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “As of late, Dream is the one perfume I don’t mind wearing on its own. I love sophisticated vanilla scents, ones that feel sexy, soft, and inviting, instead of the childish ones that lean more sugary and bakery-sweet. Dream is soft enough to spritz on before bed because its delicate aroma feels as comforting as a duvet cover.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
Pros
- Beautiful dry-down
Cons
- Some users note the floral notes can be too strong for some
This perfume is basically the olfactory equivalent of the first day of spring. While the powder-pink packaging accurately depicts the softness of the scent’s juicy fruits and soft florals, a blend of cozy woods deepens the bright and invigorating aroma.
Key notes: bergamot, grapefruit, apricot, jasmine, peach, white flower bouquet, ambergris, cedarwood, musk
Size: 8.1 fl oz
Nordstrom rating: 4.1/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “I got a sample of this and got so many compliments I had to go and buy a bottle. It’s fresh and feminine, but not sweet like so many perfumes out right now. An easy everyday wear, but I might just wear it on my wedding day, too.”
Rare Beauty Find Comfort: Awaken Confidence Body & Hair Fragrance Mist
Pros
- Gentle ingredients suitable for hair and skin
Cons
- Scent doesn’t last too long
As its name suggests, the Find Comfort mist feels like a warm embrace of fruits and flowers that can instantly calm your spirit. The most relaxing part of the mist isn’t the scent, but the ashwagandha root extract soothing and protecting the skin.
Key notes: Peach nectar, lemon, jasmine, lavender, skin musk
Size: 3.38 fl oz
Sephora rating: 4.7/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “The best thing Rare Beauty did was expand into body care. The Find Comfort line is my absolute favorite way to wind down after a long day, thanks to this fragrance mist. I skip spritzing it on my hair and focus solely on my body (and a little bit on my pillow). The scent bursts with tangy peach and bright flowers that make me feel so incredibly giddy and happy before I slip into bed.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
Pros
- Not too overpowering
Cons
- Some users note it smells like alcohol at first
Popcorn isn’t exactly a scent most people would enjoy smelling like, but Let The Good Times Roll is just the body spray to change your mind. Think less buttery and more gourmand, like the caramel candies you reach for to eat along with your bucket of popcorn.
Key notes: Butter, caramel, cinnamon
Size: 6.7 fl oz
Lush rating: 4.1/5 stars
Our expert says: “If you’re looking for a more calming scent, I’d recommend Let The Good Times Roll. It’s a light, musky, and slightly sweet body spray that won’t overwhelm your senses.”—Emma Vincent, perfume expert and Lush perfumer
Pros
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Can stain pillows/sheets
If you want a scent that will last from the minute you sleep until you awake, skip the perfumes and stock up on essential oils. Typically used to calm during a massage or as a home freshener, applying a tiny bit of your favorite essential oil (lavender is a clear favorite) is the perfect way to invite relaxation into your room ahead of bedtime.
Key notes: Orange, tea tree, lemongrass, eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender
Size: 0.6 fl oz/ each
Our expert says: “Essential oils in eucalyptus, lavender, lemon Grass or tea tree are perfect to dab on to wrists or neck or to add to a home diffuser or humidifier to scent the room before bed.”—Jennifer Capuano, Macy’s vice president of fragrance
Pros
- Great staying power
Cons
- Some users note it leans more masculine
If I could have Jo Malone fragrances in every corner of my home, I would, but having this scent permeate my bedroom is good enough. An invigorating aroma of oak, grapefruit, lavender, and silver birch creates a blanket of ease, whether sprayed on your skin or lightly misted over your bed.
Key notes: Grapefruit, lavender, silver birch
Size: 1 fl oz
Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars
Our expert says: “This scent is perfect for a quick spritz onto your pillow. It’s fresh with a hint of grapefruit, but it’s grounded in lavender and the warmth of silver birch roasted oak.”—Jennifer Capuano, Macy’s vice president of fragrance
Pros
- Soft dry down
Cons
- Floral notes pull stronger than the other notes
If ever there was a perfume to excite you about smelling like a marshmallow, it would be this one from Kayali. Not for the faint of heart, this perfume combines the most delectable notes—marshmallow, coconut, and vanilla—with a hint of musk to create a mix that smells like the most yummy dessert on the menu.
Key notes: Strawberry, coconut, freesia, vanilla, and pink musk
Size: 3.4 fl oz
Sephora rating: 4.2/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “I get stopped so often when I’m wearing this scent it’s so, so good. It lasts so long, too. Never get rid of this scent, I’ll wear this forever. Omg.”
Pros
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Musky notes are strong
A cabin in the woods on a cold winter night is exactly what this perfume evokes. It's warm, toasty, and woody, anchored by sandalwood and oakwood.
Key notes: Sandalwood, oakwood, turmeric essence
Size: 3.4 fl oz
Nordstrom rating: 4.4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “This is perhaps one of my favorite woody scents to wear to bed because it feels as cozy as a sweater fresh out of the dryer.
What type of notes should you look for in a bedtime fragrance and why?
The more calming and soothing the notes, the better—think of the scents you enjoy smelling during a relaxing massage. “When I think of a bedtime fragrance, notes like lavender, eucalyptus, neroli, and chamomile all come to mind. These have calming and soothing properties to help you wind down from a long day,” says Jennifer Capuano, vice president of fragrance at Macy’s.
Lush perfumer Emma Vincent adds that she tends to gravitate towards “comforting notes of gourmand scents.” If you want your bedtime scent to last, Vincent suggests starting the scent profile in the shower. “To enhance your nighttime routine, consider using scented bath and shower products. This allows the fragrance to be absorbed into your skin, providing a longer-lasting and more personalized scent experience,” Vincent explains.
How do the notes differ from your day-to-day fragrance?
“The best bedtime scent is one that suits your personal preferences. Many find that calming fragrances like lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood help to promote relaxation. If you prefer a more delicate aroma, a musky perfume can be a soothing choice. Woody or patchouli-based scents can offer a grounding and comforting experience. To optimize your sleep routine, consider using a separate fragrance for bedtime. This can help differentiate between your waking hours and sleep time, leading to a more restful night,” Vincent shares.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor Nerisha Penrose polled fragrance experts to discover the best bedtime perfumes for a comforting sleep.
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