The Top Fragrance Trends Defining 2025, From Sweet and Savoury to Skin Scents

Fragrance is having a moment, and the numbers back it up.

Market research company Euromonitor predicts the industry will grow from US$64.4 billion in 2023 to US$68.9 billion by the end of this year. On TikTok, scents are sparking billions of searches and conversations, with hashtags like #PerfumeTok driving endless intrigue.

With all that buzz and growth, the excitement is palpable. So, what’s next? We turned to the industry’s top experts to uncover the biggest fragrance trends of 2025.

From spiritual inspirations to nostalgic scents, here’s how our panel envisions the next chapter of perfumery.

Meet the Experts

• Kajal Gujar: A Mumbai-born perfumer, Kajal honed her craft through extensive training at dsm-firmenich, including their prestigious perfumery school. Now based in Singapore, she creates fragrances that evoke powerful memories and emotions.
• Levenza Toh: Levenza is the Vice President of Perfumery Regional Consumer Brands (SEA, Japan, Korea) at dsm-firmenich and the Country Leader for Perfumery & Beauty in Singapore.
• Joyce Lian: Founder of Scent Journer, Joyce believes in the transformative power of perfumery to uplift moods and awaken senses. Through Scent Journer, she crafts high-quality scents designed to enhance both emotional and physical well-being.
• Dan Terry: As the founder of Oo La Lab, Dan brings nearly 20 years of experience in the fragrance industry with a fresh perspective. Inspired by working with diverse people, he developed a passion for empowering others to craft their unique scent expressions.

Spiritual Scents

According to market research company Mintel, search interest in “spiritual perfume” has spiked nearly 300% over the past five years.

Dan Terry sees this trend extending into zodiac-inspired fragrances.

“Building on the rise of spiritual perfume, we anticipate a surge in fragrances inspired by zodiac signs, chakras, and planetary alignments,” he predicts. “These perfumes aim to resonate with users on a symbolic level, creating deeply personal connections.”

Fragrances that cater to emotional and spiritual needs will continue to flourish, providing comfort, grounding, and even a sense of cosmic alignment.

Try:

• Oo La Lab’s SUN Eau de Parfum channels grounding warmth, while MOON Eau de Parfum is a luminous, introspective scent.
• Maison Margiela’s REPLICA Autumn Vibes Eau De Toilette captures the earthy tranquillity of zodiac earth signs with notes of nutmeg, carrot seeds, and cedarwood.
• COSMOSS Sacred Mist Eau de Parfum combines grounding oakmoss, cedarwood, and tonka with delicate jasmine and floral notes. It’s a calming ritual in a bottle.

Related reads:

• An Ultimate Guide to Scent Astrology: Find Out Which Fragrance Aligns with Your Zodiac, According to 2 Experts!
• What Are “Witchy Perfumes”? Here Are 11 That Will Cast a Spell on You

Sweet Meets Savoury

Over the past year, searches for gourmand fragrances (scents that smell edible) have surged on both Google and TikTok. According to trend-forecasting agency Spate, this upward momentum shows no signs of slowing as we head into the new year.

However, 2025 will bring bold new profiles that blend sweet, savoury, and textural elements.

Kajal Gujar points out the enduring popularity of vanilla but foresees a shift toward subtler, more complex experiences.

“Burberry Goddess, which features three different types of vanilla, is now still a very much popular fragrance globally. We won’t see [vanilla] gone in 2025, but a less overdose of vanilla,” she explains.

Dan foresees that savoury edible notes like sesame, saffron, and salted caramel will elevate gourmand perfumes. These new combinations will appeal to consumers seeking fragrances that evoke indulgence without becoming overly familiar.

Try:

• Kayali’s Yum Pistachio Gelato | 33 Eau De Parfum Intense combines creamy nuttiness with playful sweetness.
• Mancera’s Velvet Vanilla Eau de Parfum pairs vanilla with an unconventional twist, redefining the gourmand experience.
• Rabanne’s Fame Eau De Parfum blends succulent mango with pure jasmine and creamy incense for an addictive, sensual scent.

Related read: 13 Best Vanilla Perfumes in Singapore, According to a Vanilla Addict

Memory-Driven and Culturally Inspired Scents

Fragrances that evoke nostalgia and cultural heritage are resonating with consumers seeking comfort and connection.

“The yearning for comfort and nostalgia is driving the use of fragrance to connect to childhood memories or embrace more diverse cultural diaspora,” Kajal notes, sharing that ingredients like oud and tea are gaining prominence in this space.

Joyce Lian adds that Southeast Asian consumers often find Western fragrance ingredients less relatable.

Scent Journer bridges this gap by creating fragrances inspired by regional icons like pandan chiffon cake. “Clouds in Heaven captures the comfort of familiar scents in a refined form, making it uniquely relevant for Southeast Asian consumers.”

Coincidentally, CHANEL’s in-house perfumer Olivier Polge visited Singapore earlier this November and shared that he had taken his first whiff of pandan leaf. Who knows? The note might show up in a future CHANEL fragrance.

Dan also highlights pandan leaf and green mango as reflective of Southeast Asia’s tropical charm.

Beyond pandan, rice notes are gaining attention for their soft, powdery elegance, evoking warmth and nostalgia. Joyce calls rice a “subtle, comforting warmth” that pays homage to the region’s agricultural heritage.

Try:

• Rahasya’s Cutting Rain Eau de Parfum disrupts traditional rose with twists of saffron and black tea.
• Scent Journer’s Clouds in Heaven Eau de Parfum offers a modern take on pandan, blending nostalgia with elegance.
• Ffern’s Autumn 2023 Organic Eau de Parfum captures herbaceous green notes like fig leaf and basil.
• Atelier Cologne’s Pomélo Paradis Cologne Absolute channels the sharp, fruity sweetness of pink grapefruit, mandarin, and blackcurrant.
• L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Le Chant de Camargue beautifully captures the rice note.

Textural Fragrances

Perfumes are increasingly designed to evoke texture, creating sensory experiences that feel as luxurious as they smell.

“Innovations in fragrance will explore textural elements, creating sensations of velvet, suede, and silkiness in scents that ‘feel’ as if they have texture, driven by sophisticated layering techniques,” Dan explains.

Kajal concurs, predicting that gourmands will also evolve to offer textural experiences. These developments will elevate perfumery, turning it into a multisensory delight.

Try:

• Tom Ford Beauty’s Black Orchid Eau de Parfum exudes velvety richness with its dark florals.
• Bottega Veneta’s Illusione for Her Eau de Parfum creates a soft, tactile scent profile.

Mindful Fragrances for Emotional Wellness

With a holistic approach to wellness, fragrances are increasingly being crafted with therapeutic benefits.

“Consumer studies during COVID and post-COVID show a rise in appreciation for fragrances that not only delight the senses but also contribute to mental well-being. This is the number one trend,” Levenza Toh shares.

Joyce notes that this trend aligns with Scent Journer’s mission. “Our motto has always been to help customers discover their best selves ‘only one spritz away,’ with each scent formulated to bring out different positive moods,” she says.

Levenza adds that neuroscience-backed fragrance benefits, combined with essential oils, are gaining momentum. Consumers are seeking perfumes that reduce stress, improve focus, and even enhance sleep.

Try:

• Scent Journer’s Soaring at Dawn Eau de Parfum uses Sichuan pepper to inspire optimism.
• Aesop’s Hwyl Eau de Parfum blends smoky, woodsy notes for relaxation.
• Orabella’s Nightcap Parfum gives vanilla and rich woods a lively twist with ginger and cardamom, perfect for grounding and uplifting the senses.

Gender-inclusive and Climate-Adaptive Scents

Breaking free from traditional marketing norms, gender-inclusive fragrances are becoming the new standard.

Joyce shares that all Scent Journer scents are crafted without gender labels, “empowering individuals to choose based on scent preference rather than stereotypes.”

Additionally, the focus on lightweight, long-lasting fragrances for hot climates is reshaping the industry. “In hot, humid environments like Singapore, traditional heavy perfumes can feel too intense, so brands are innovating to create fragrances that last while remaining airy and refreshing,” Joyce explains.

Try:

• Scent Journer’s Dancing Blue Bees is a universally appealing, honeyed scent.
• Their newly launched Perfume Primer promises to extend the life of any fragrance, perfect for humid climates.

Skin Scents

As the world embraces personal connections, skin-like fragrances that mimic natural pheromones are thriving. These soft, musky perfumes create a sense of closeness and intimacy.

Try:

• Glossier You Eau de Parfum has sparkling pink pepper and earthy iris that melt into a warm, familiar base that feels effortlessly personal.
• Phlur’s Missing Person Eau de Parfum whisks sheer floral notes with comforting white musk and soft woods, evoking the tender memory of a lover’s touch.
• Oo La Lab’s SKIN Eau de Parfum is enhanced with a soft, musky Helvetolide note for a creamy, floral fragrance that lingers like a second skin.

How AI and Biotechnology Are Shaping the Future of Fragrance

From AI’s ability to analyse trends and optimise blends to biotechnology’s innovative ingredient creation, these advancements are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in scent creation.

AI: Precision Meets Personalisation

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming an invaluable tool for perfumers. By analysing vast amounts of consumer data, AI identifies emerging trends and optimises ingredient combinations, enabling faster and more precise fragrance development.

Dan notes, “Technology, especially AI and biotechnology, is streamlining ingredient sourcing and precision blending, allowing perfumers to craft more complex, multi-layered scents.”

“These tools enable sustainability, allowing rare scents to be produced ethically. AI will likely personalise fragrance experiences further, enabling consumers to discover scents uniquely suited to them.”

However, as Joyce points out, relying heavily on AI can have limitations.

“AI’s reliance on existing trends may limit creativity, as it often creates fragrances that mimic what’s already popular rather than offering entirely new and innovative profiles.”

At Scent Journer, she says, the focus is on crafting unique, emotionally resonant scents that transcend algorithmic predictions.

Biotechnology: Sustainable Scent Innovation

Biotechnology is hailed as a game-changer in fragrance development, offering sustainable and renewable alternatives to traditional extraction methods.

“Biotechnology…warrants 100% renewable, natural, and stable sourcing solutions that can replace key ingredients. These processes often consume fewer resources than traditional methods,” Kajal elaborates.

A standout example is dsm-firmenich’s Clearwood®, created through sustainable sugar fermentation, which replicates the depth of patchouli while reducing environmental impact.

Similarly, Dreamwood®, a biotech innovation, mimics Mysore sandalwood without harming sacred trees.

Levenza further highlights dsm-firmenich’s NaturePrint® technology, which allows perfumers to replicate the chemistry of natural scents, even from materials like “mute” flowers that cannot traditionally be distilled.

This advanced interference technology captures the headspace aroma and recreates it with precision, preserving the integrity of nature while expanding creative possibilities.

A Green Revolution in Fragrance

In 2025, eco-consciousness will permeate every aspect of scent creation, from ingredient sourcing to packaging innovation, reflecting a profound commitment to minimising environmental impact while delivering olfactory excellence.

Upcycled ingredients are at the forefront of this green movement, offering a dual benefit: reducing waste while unlocking new creative possibilities.

Joyce highlights the appeal, noting that using upcycled materials “empowers fragrance houses to explore novel notes and formulations, introducing fresh depth and character to their offerings.”

Scent Journer incorporates upcycled ingredients into three of their signature perfumes: The Blooming Jewel, A Starlit Spell, and Soaring At Dawn.

For instance, The Blooming Jewel features Turkish rose, sourced sustainably from petals that would otherwise go unused, and carrot heart, extracted from discarded seeds.

Similarly, A Starlit Spell utilises clove tree leaves, typically overlooked, to derive eugenol, while Soaring At Dawn incorporates cistus labdanum from unused cistus plant twigs and leaves.

These innovations show how upcycling not only enhances sustainability but also enriches fragrances with unique olfactory profiles.

Biotechnology further advances this mission, as noted by Kajal. At dsm-firmenich, their Firgood® collection showcases 100%-natural extracts that meet the highest standards of differentiation and sustainability.

These bio-engineered ingredients, including iconic creations like the aforementioned Clearwood® and Dreamwood®, utilise renewable carbon and green chemistry to replicate the richness of traditional ingredients while protecting biodiversity.

Kajal aptly concludes, “We’re dedicated to designing renewable ingredients that respect people and the planet, now and for generations to come.”

By investing in green chemistry and renewable carbon solutions, companies like dsm-firmenich are rewriting the rules of fragrance production, delivering next-generation quality with a lighter footprint.

It’s clear that the fragrance industry is not only responding to the demands of environmentally conscious consumers but also setting new benchmarks for luxury and sustainability.

Featured image credits: @rahasyafragrances/Instagram and @glossier/Instagram