The latest trend to take the fragrance world by storm is more than your signature scent or a must-have note, it’s a whole new category of perfume. Sleepy scents, bedtime perfumes and relaxation fragrances are on the rise because these therapeutic aromas help promote a good night’s rest and blissful calm. A new way to interact with fragrance, these are the perfumes you keep at your bedside for a pillow-spritz that helps you drift away to dreamland. And at the core of this trend are a few key scent notes that can help you find your perfect bedtime perfume.
Traditionally Sleepy Scent Notes
- Lavender: Floral, Herbal
- Chamomile: Floral, Herbal
- Jasmine: White Floral
- Ylang-Ylang: White Floral
- Sandalwood: Woody
- Cedarwood: Woody
- Clary Sage: Herbal
Throughout history, aromatherapy has been used to help us feel calmer and sleep better. Mediterranean lavender was employed as a sleep aid by the ancient Greeks and Romans, clary sage was cultivated in Middle Age monasteries to ward off illness and Ayurvedic practitioners used distilled sandalwood oil to promote relaxation. Over time, we’ve landed on quite a few calming scents that anecdotally help improve sleep quality, and a few scent families make repeat appearances.
Most of the notes used to promote sleep lean towards the floral and herbaceous scent groups, where romantic and delicate flower petals are mingled with a fresh and green aroma. Here, lavender and clary sage are clean-smelling and crisp, lulling you to sleep in a sanctuary of clean sheets and good dreams.
On the other hand, options like sandalwood and cedarwood retain a creamy, sweet quality, standing out from other woody fragrances. These are the cozy scents that pair beautifully with gourmand notes to create that bundled-in-blankets feeling.
Bedtime Perfumes
1 / 10
Inspired by milk tea, this gorgeous scent crafted by mindfulness teacher Alex Elle delivers an ideal combination of soothing lavender, grounding ube and the gentle sweetness of date sugar for a calming pick-me-up perfect for bedtime.
KEY NOTES
Lavender, Purple Ube, Milk Froth, Palo Santo
2 / 10
Jasmine and violet make up the heart of this delicate and herbaceous scent, creating a core of restful and relaxing notes to fall asleep to. The crisp and clean scents of bergamot and lemon introduce you to a bouquet of sweet florals, before drying down into the warm embrace of sandalwood and cedarwood.
KEY NOTES
Bergamot, Lemon, Jasmine, Violet, Sandalwood, Cedarwood
3 / 10
If you’re a fan of falling asleep to sweet gourmand notes, this is the scent for you. The cozy base of Madagascar-sourced vanilla and caramel-infused amber helps promote relaxation for a stress-free sleep.
KEY NOTES
Pear, Rose, Vanilla, Amber, Caramel
4 / 10
Soothing sandalwood creates a comforting base that envelopes vanilla bean and delicate orchid for a dreamy escape into sweet sleep. Imagine yourself curled up by the fireplace with this gorgeous gourmand.
KEY NOTES
Cashmere Wood, Orchid, Vanilla Bean, Sandalwood, Skin Musk
5 / 10
The clean and fresh scent of wisteria introduces this calming floral before deepening into the embrace of sweet honeysuckle and soothing jasmine. Inspired by the Roman goddess of flowers, this is the perfect bouquet for bedtime.
KEY NOTES
Wisteria, Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Narcissus
6 / 10
The comforting clarity of jasmine pairs with the indulgent warmth of vanilla extract for a grounded sweetness, combined with the smoky aroma of lapsang souchong tea for an earthy and ambery fragrance.
KEY NOTES
Tea Accord, Jasmine, Vanilla
7 / 10
Decadent and sophisticated, this chamomile and lavender perfume perfectly captures the soothing glide into a good night’s rest. Leathery and woody notes wrap around a heart of restful wildflowers for an indulgent comfort.
KEY NOTES
Chamomile, Lavender, Turkish Rose, Vanilla Bean, Musk
8 / 10
When you’re looking for a fresh scent to slide into clean sheets with, Bubble Bath is exactly what you need. Crafted with foamy soap and soothing coconut milk, this fragrance holds a heart of delicate rose for a calming refresh.
KEY NOTES
Soap Bubble Accord, Rose Superessence, White Musk, Coconut Milk Accord
9 / 10
Jasmine sambac and cedarwood combine for a masterclass in floral comfort, elevated by grassy vetiver and the rush of orange-flower. The first true floral from Henry Rose, this is a relaxing entry into a beautiful garden of dreams.
KEY NOTES
Orange-Flower Water, Jasmine Sambac, Cedarwood, Vetiver Oil
10 / 10
Using another traditional aromatherapy note, this fragrance features Ylang Ylang, known for promoting a calming environment and relaxation. Crisp bergamot introduces the scent with a fresh and clean top note before grounding in a creamy sandalwood that’s ideal for drifting off to dreamland.
KEY NOTES
Ylang-ylang, Bergamot, Sandalwood
