CHICYEE

Winter may make us want to curl up with comfy and cozy fragrances, but this season’s hottest scents offer so much more than that. “Winter fragrance trends embrace both restoration and a playful side, with consumers seeking darker, adventurous scent profiles alongside comforting notes that address stress and overwhelm,” says Faye Harris Wood, the co-founder and CMO of Eauso Vert. If you look at it the right way, this is a prime season for reinvention, as the quiet start of a new year is the perfect time to test drive your next era—so go bold this winter.

To get the full scoop, we went straight to the experts for their thoughts on all the cozy favorites and unexpected notes. Read on to learn about eight of winter’s top fragrance trends, all of which are sure to bring some excitement to the coldest months of the year.

Nature 2.0

There’s a new way to touch grass this winter. “Botanical themes continue to evolve, and we see the emergence of earthy botanicals blended with the sleek clarity of biotech—nature 2.0—for a world craving authenticity and innovation at once,” says Jenine Guerriero, the North American head of fine fragrance marketing and consumer insights at Givaudan. “A new kind of modern nature—fresh, vibrant, and hyperreal. Consumers want nature to smell ‘alive’ with a beautiful sophistication, complexity, and a sustainable edge.”

So what does that mean we can expect in terms of notes? “Modern, vibrant olfactive experiences celebrating the freshness, complexity, and the beauty of the natural world,” Guerriero tells us. “Milky, nutty, and vegetal gourmand nuances—like tonka, roasted almond, and subtle vanilla—add warmth and depth, while hints of ginger and blackcurrant bring brightness and lift. The effect is crisp, elegant, and rooted in the desire for authenticity.”

Dark Florals

Florals? For winter? Indeed. “Dark florals get a moodier edge, paired with notes of black tea, cocoa, cardamom, and black pepper that evoke the cult 2010s fragrances like YSL Black Opium,” Wood says. “It resonates strongly with nostalgic Gen Z while maintaining winter comfort through musk, amber, and vanilla. They’re particularly popular for Valentine’s Day scents.”

Skin Scents

Typically musky, this evolving category encompasses fragrances and ingredients that evoke the scent of skin. “Intimate, soft, and understated, they don’t project into the room but rather remain close, like the warmth of sunlit skin,” says Pigmentarium founder Tomas Ric. “These are designed for the wearer’s comfort and for those within close proximity. They create a sense of closeness and quiet connection—something increasingly valuable in an era of overstimulation and digital noise. These fragrances tend to be linear in character, evolving little over time, and are most often genderless by nature.”

After Hours

Channel your favorite libation with a mixology-inspired indulgence. “Here we tap into the allure of the speakeasy and mixology culture—the ‘little treat’ mindset—with indulgences that feel social, sophisticated, and fun,” Guerriero says. “These fragrances blend gin, cognac, whiskey, spiced rums, bitter orange, caramel, smoky chocolate, grilled tonka, and vanilla bourbon, crafting moods—and fragrances—that feel both intimate and celebratory. It’s the return of nighttime glamour, reimagined through a modern lens.”

It makes sense why we’re craving decadent evening fragrances to go with our most maximalist ensembles and chicest plans. “These fragrances give consumers something intimate, adventurous, and celebratory,” Guerriero tells us. “Boozy bitters and overripe fruits add a rebellious twist to classically fresh or fruity notes, appealing to those craving grown-up, mood-driven scent experiences.”

Aged Woods

Channel forest bathing, but on an entirely new level. “This centers on ancient botanical healing through aged woods and herbal roots,” Wood says. “Think guaiac wood, eucalyptus, moss, oak, and tree resins. Consumers are seeking grounding connections to nature, with earthy profiles incorporating even darker soil and mud notes. This also works beautifully with home fragrance.”

Textured Gourmands

The gourmand craze isn’t going anywhere. Instead, it’s being taken to the next dimension: creamy, textured, and made to layer. “Milk is a hero note—soft, velvety, thick, just at the edge of wildness,” Wood says. “Condensed milk, honeycomb, brûléed vanilla, cardamom, saffron, tonka, and brown sugar crystals build a cocooning warmth as the weather cools.”

This just may be winter 2025-26’s coziest fragrance trend. “This trend continues to grow because consumers want tactile, sensorial comfort—but with sophistication and complexity, not sugar overload,” Wood adds. “We also see savory elements, bitter touches, or umami flavors, inviting us to explore the boldness, multicultural influences, and adventurous flavor combinations. It’s comfort at peak luxury: cocooning yet complex, familiar yet daring.”

Soft Oud 

Oud can notoriously take over a room, but the latest takes on the note are going in a different direction. “A subtle counterpoint to the bold, assertive Middle Eastern ouds of recent years, used in lower concentration and often paired with rose, this new oud reveals nuance rather than strength,” Ric says. “It leans less oriental, more contemporary western. Expect notes of amber, oud, cashmere, Iso E Super, and polished woods. As days grow shorter, these compositions offer warmth—not through volume, but through presence.”

Dark Pleasures

Let the shorter days and longer nights direct your fragrance choice. “Winter’s moodier side is deep, magnetic scents that explore texture and contrast, blending boldness with approachability,” Wood says. “Fragrances that include rose, berries, saffron, patchouli, leather, pepper, cacao, and smoky woods create a sensual yet approachable darkness. Consumers are embracing boldness and self-expression, but still want fragrances that feel wearable and intimate.”