Fragrance often feels seasonal. In winter, richer notes like amber, sandalwood, gourmands and smoky ouds dominate. As warmer weather arrives, lighter florals, juicy citrus and delicate fruits take over. However, despite this cyclical pattern, new trends still emerge within those scent families each season.
As we settle into a warm, sunny season, fresh trending notes are already gaining traction. So, what are the most popular fragrance notes of spring 2026? “As we head into spring 2026, consumers are gravitating toward fragrances that feel fresh, uplifting and optimistic,” says dsm-firmenich perfumer Erwan Raguenes. But that’s just the beginning: Ahead, the fragrance notes set to define the season, according to the expert.
Soft Fruity Notes
Delicate fruity notes like pear and raspberry tend to be popular every spring, but this season, peach is the standout. The stone fruit offers “a balance of brightness and softness that feels perfectly aligned with the season,” says Raguenes. As consumers continue to seek familiarity, “softer fruits such as peach and pear add a more diffusive, comforting dimension,” he adds.
There’s also been a noticeable rise in fragrances featuring banana over the last several months, aligning with the broader shift toward softer, fruit-forward notes this spring.
Alongside these softer fruits, berry-forward scents are also gaining traction. “Fruity fragrances remain especially popular in the spring months, as they naturally evoke a sense of brightness, airiness and ease in warmer weather,” notes Raguenes.
Springtime Citrus
As expected, citrus notes return every spring. This year, “bergamot, lemon and mandarin remain key,” says Raguenes, though interest in fruitier notes is what’s really growing. The shift toward springtime citruses makes sense: “Bright citruses like bergamot, lemon, and mandarin bring an immediate sense of energy and uplift,” he says. It’s no surprise people continue to gravitate toward these familiar scents as they look for easy-to-wear fragrances. “These notes align with a broader desire for fragrances that feel effortless, optimistic and adaptable to everyday wear,” Raguenes adds.
Airy Florals
You know what they say about florals for spring—groundbreaking. But this season, they really are different. As fragrance lovers continue to gravitate toward effortless scents, they’re leaning away from the juicy or powdery styles of the past and toward lighter, airier interpretations. “Airy florals like rose and jasmine enhance the feeling of lightness,” says Raguenes.
Subtle Gourmands
Gourmands have been the absolute go-to for many over the past few years, with their runaway popularity proving they’re a mainstay rather than a fleeting trend. They’ve moved away from sugary scents toward more complex, nostalgic interpretations, with vanilla coming to the forefront as one of the most popular notes of all.
This spring, they evolve even further into more subtle takes rather than being so in-your-face. Still, “subtle gourmand accents like pistachio and vanilla” remain popular, says Raguenes. This is ideal for anyone who loves just a little bit of warmth in their fragrance: “Pistachio and vanilla introduce a touch of warmth without overwhelming the composition,” explains Raguenes.
Other Fragrance Trends
What other trends are having a moment in fragrance right now? For one, fragrance layering. One of the most popular trends lately, fragrance layering simply means wearing multiple perfumes at once to create a multidimensional, customized scent profile. As for what notes to layer this spring? “When it comes to layering, a soft musky or lightly woody base can create depth, a floral heart adds freshness and a fruity or delicate gourmand top note brings a playful, personalized finish,” says Raguenes. You can mix and match perfumes, lotions, body oils and more to create your own signature scent.
Alongside fragrance layering is “a broader move toward more complex, layered scent profiles,” says Raguenes. Within individual fragrances, layered compositions are especially popular for spring. Wondering what notes to look for? “Aromatic notes like lavender and geranium remain foundational, and gourmand elements (particularly vanilla and amber) are gaining momentum, adding richness and depth to contemporary blends,” explains Raguenes.
Also trending this year—and continuing into spring and beyond—are gender-neutral fragrances. “One of the most notable shifts is the continued move toward gender-neutral fragrances, with woody elements increasingly incorporated into compositions that were traditionally more feminine,” says Raguenes.
