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Like me, you may have heard of pheromone perfumes while scrolling through TikTok or your favorite 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
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.
Pros
Cozy scent- Compliment magnet
Cons
- Some may have to reapply throughout the day
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
Size: 1.7 oz
Nordstrom rating: 3.7/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I discovered this perfume this year, and I couldn’t help but kick myself for not trying it sooner. It reminds me of someone or something I’ve smelled in the past, but I can’t quite put my finger on who or what it was. Either way, it brings me a sense of peace that’s admittedly addicting. I’ve tested so many perfumes, yet this is one of the few that I find myself spraying on most days and even right before bed as a treat.” —Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer
Pros
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Some reviewers disliked how subtle the scent is
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
Size: 3.4 oz.
Neiman Marcus rating: 4.3/5 stars
A Neiman Marcus reviewer says: “People stop me to ask what perfume I’m wearing, although I can't smell it—that’s the deal with this perfume.”
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Pros
- Soft
- Comforting
Cons
- Some may have to reapply throughout the day
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
Size: 3.4 oz.
Nordstrom rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “While the siliage of this fragrance isn’t much, the true power of it lies much closer to the body. It’s both warm and clean yet alluring. A go-to for those who don’t need to leave a trail everywhere they go, but are still known amongst those close to them as smelling terrific.”
Pros
- Fresh
- Unique
Cons
- Pricey
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
Size: 3.4 oz.
Byredo rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Byredo reviewer says: “This was a blind buy, but I do not regret it! I was looking for a fresh, clean scent and read a ton of reviews on this one before deciding to purchase. It is everything I hoped it would be. Such a nice, clean, everyday scent!”
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Pros
- Warm dry-down
- Comforting
Cons
- Some may have to reapply throughout the day
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
Size: 1.7 oz
Glossier rating: 4.2/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Glossier You is my favorite scent layering base because of its bright peppercorn and second-skin feel. The baby pink packaging leads you to believe it has a soft, delicate scent but behind its vial is a bold, spicy aroma that enhances just about any scents it's paired with.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
Pros
- Calming
- Designed to be layered
Cons
- Pricey
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
Size: 1.7 oz.
Nordstrom rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “It is such an interesting scent that combines freshness, floral, and woodiness all in one bottle and gives you this unique and unforgettable experience. An amazing new discovery—a big thumb up from me!”
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Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Some may have to reapply throughout the day
Patti Stanger from The Millionaire Matchmaker lent her expertise to Eye of Love to help dream up this sweet and musky scent, which claims to enhance your attractiveness to others. Even better, it’s housed in an eye-catching scarlet glass diamond.
Key notes: Citrus, grapefruit, jasmine, black currant, lily, vanilla, amber, musk
Size: 3 oz.
Eye of Love rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Eye of Love reviewer says: “At first, I wasn’t too crazy about the smell, but I kept on, and I absolutely love it and now wear it all the time. And I’m ordering more!”
Pros
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Smell varies widely from person to person
This social media-famous perfume oil reacts to the pH of your skin, so no two people will smell alike. There’s a slight fruitiness, thanks to notes of mango and honey, as well as a spicy hint of cinnamon, but again, the fragrance’s ultimate goal is to elevate your natural scent, not mask it.
Key notes: Australian mango, mandarin, honey, cinnamon, musk
Size: o.34 oz.
Amazon rating: 3.9/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I like the way it smells, my wife likes the way I smell, my coworkers family and friends have all made me feel really good about myself when I wear this fragrance. It lasts all day and blends well with the other colognes I wear in conjunction with Pure Instinct. A small amount goes a long way, so the bottle will last me a while.”
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Meet the Experts
Geza Schoen is a perfumer and the founder of Escentric Molecules.
Jacqui Rubinoff is the co-owner and vice president of Eye of Love.
What are pheromones?
“They serve as sophisticated messenger substances, facilitating communication within individuals of the same species. They convey essential information, influencing behaviors and physiological responses,” says Schoen. It’s almost like a secret language we don’t even know we understand.
“In humans, pheromones are like your personal scent signature that play a hidden role in everything, from sparking romance to forging connections with others. While you might not be aware of them, pheromones are working their magic behind the scenes, making interactions much more interesting!” adds Rubinoff.
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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, beauty writer Carol Lee spoke with trusted fragrance experts about pheromone perfumes. She also searched the internet for top-rated scents, perused reviews for dozens of popular options, and evaluated each on their features and customer reviews.
