14 Best Arabian Perfumes for Everyone

Written by Sayantani Deb, Makeup & Beauty Writer
Updated on Mar 07, 2024
Best Arabian Perfumes for Everyone
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The best Arabian perfumes carry strong and aromatic fragrances with a conventional Jasmine, amber, musk and oud base. Arabian perfumes are traditionally alcohol-free. Unlike concentrated perfume oils, Bakhoor or Dukhoon (incense tablets), Oud Muattar (fragranced oud chips) and pure Oud chips are very popular. Oud is famous for its fragrance of wood and is usually used on the skin or clothes as perfume or as an aromatic diffuser to spread fragrant smoke in the chosen ambience.

Oud is rare, and it is the reason that makes it expensive. By some estimates, less than 2 percent of wild agar trees produce it. The best oud is believed to come from the oldest and rare trees. Niche perfumery is also a state of mind. Its wide range of perfumes circumvents the laws imposed by marketing and falls outside the traditional commercial channels. Moreover, these Arabian perfumes have a strong fragrance that can be easily recognized. These heavenly fragrances can calm nerves and reduce anxiety. Scroll down for the list of some of the most amazing Arabian Perfumes you must try.

14 Best Arabian Perfumes

Amber Perfume Oils evolve with the skin chemistry. They are PETA certified, vegan and alcohol-free, making them a safe choice for your skin. It plays with each person's unique skin chemistry to create a distinct scent. The intensity of these Amber fragrances ranges from very light to almost no smell to medium. This exquisite fresh fragrance comes with floral base notes, a subtle scent that can easily transition from day freshness to evening sophistication. If you want the best results, apply on pulse points and put a small dab on your palms, rub them together, and then brush them on clothes.

Key Ingredients : Amber, Floral extracts

Pros
  • Long lasting
  • Halal perfume
  • Pleasant and calming
  • Vegan
Cons
  • Recent change in smell

Quick Tip

Those who find amber too strong must try to blend this perfume with a few sprinkles of floral mist or fruity notes. You can also use essential oils or a body oil.

  • Swiss Arabian Layali

    Swiss Arabian Layali
  • The Swiss Arabian Layali is among the best Arabic perfumes with a dark and juicy plum opening note. The sheer beauty of orange flowers and nuances of green floral notes also complements it. The musky blackcurrants melt seamlessly into a bouquet, with soft ylang notes surrendering to roses and creamy Jasmine. They are topped with oud that spreads its beams like sun rays, fusing with amber to bring its unique richness to the fore. You can enjoy this line of Arabic Perfumes with beautiful, unique, luxury personal fragrances made with the best ingredients. Swiss Arabian’s legendary Arabian perfumery, oriental craftsmanship and contemporary elegance come together to create unique fragrances. 

    Key Ingredients: Plum, Orange flower, Green floral, Musk, Ylang, Roses, Jasmine, Amber

    Pros
    • Great packaging
    • Excellent smell
    • Long-lasting
    Cons
    • May cause rashes
  • Best Affordable Perfume

    Swiss Arabian Shaghaf Oud

    Swiss Arabian Shaghaf Oud
  • Shaghaf Oud is a new signature scent by Swiss Arabian. It opens with precious strands of saffron, also known as red gold. It merges with the seam of agarwood that starts like the source of a river and threads itself with growing intensity through each layer of the fragrance. As the oud reaches the fragrance's heart, it awakens an exquisite rose scent with nuances of delicious praline. Growing in intensity, the oud meets the warm embrace of vanilla, showering you with the perfect combination of rich, resonant agarwood and golden sweetness. This is a classic formulation and high-quality Swiss Arabian perfume with a good sillage.

    Key Ingredients: Saffron, Agarwood,Oud,Roses,Praline, Vanilla

    Pros
    • Great fragrance
    • Affordable
    • Long-lasting
    Cons
    • Smells like chemicals
  • Swiss Arabian Amaali

    Swiss Arabian Amaali
  • When you open the bottle of Swiss Arabian Amaali, you will be welcomed by the juicy and refreshing fragrances of zesty lemon, pineapple, and crisp green apple. These refreshing fragrances are accompanied by the breathtaking aromas of deep red roses and white jasmine, making them a more feminine perfume.  The additional ingredients like golden vanilla and silky caramel merge with the existing fragrances and create a mesmerizing and unforgettable atmosphere in your surroundings. These originate from the imagination and artistic sensibility of a perfume which you can enjoy with wonderfully unique, luxury personal fragrances made with only the highest quality ingredients. 


    Key Ingredients: Lemon, Pineapple, Green apple,Golden vanilla,Caramel, Jasmine, Red roses

    Pros
    • Mild scent
    • Good sillage
    • Attractive bottle design
    • Dropper applicator
    Cons
    • Disappointing packaging
  • Golden Sand Perfume Oil by Al-Rehab

    Golden Sand Perfume Oil by Al-Rehab
  • The best way to describe this scent is rich and expensive vanilla incense. The subtle fragrance starts with a smokey or powdery scent that turns into a sweet smell similar to caramel or vanilla. Golden Sand is a perfume for both men and women. It has a deeply relaxing effect, which is why it is used in aromatherapy and therapeutic meditation. It is a pocket-sized bottle of oriental fragrance, which allows it to fit into even the smallest bag.

    Key Ingredients: Caramel, Vanilla,,Amber,Oudh

    Pros
    • Warm and unique scent
    • Can be layered
    • Long lasting
    • Great for daily wear
    Cons
    • Not suitable for youngsters
  • Refreshing Scent

    ARABIYAT Khashab & Oud White

    ARABIYAT Khashab & Oud White
  • The luxury classic oriental scented perfumes are known to be the Best Arabic Perfumes complemented by natural and seductive fragrances. ARABIYAT Khashab & Oud White is a wonderful perfume that indulges your senses with oriental fresh roses on the  top notes, woody cedar amber in the middle notes, and musky oud in the base notes. It is perfect for an all-day refreshing experience with delightful top and base notes scents. Both men and women can use this Arabic perfume. The sweet fragrance of this perfume refreshes your mind and awakens your imagination.

    Key Ingredients: Fresh roses, Woody cedar, Amber, Musk, White Oud

    Pros
    • Elegant packaging
    • Value for money
    • Great design
    • Versatile scent
    Cons
    • Poor sillage

    Quick Tip

    Make the perfume last longer than a few hours by applying an unscented body oil or petroleum jelly to your pulse points and then use the perfume on it.

  • Swiss Arabian Shaghaf for Men

    Swiss Arabian Shaghaf for Men
  • Shaghaf Arabian perfume opens with lavender and lemon notes, that are uplifting. These shower-fresh notes seamlessly blend into a magnificent chypre heart, replete with oakmoss under a canopy of trees. The contrast of aquatic notes makes the perfume magic-like dreamy and gives you a feeling of the sunset while amber and patchouli embrace the horizons with their warm glow.   Artisan fragrances still need to be developed based on a marketing study conducted by these commercial brands, but it also originates from a perfumer's imagination and artistic sensibility. Still, you can enjoy this unique, luxury personal fragrance made with only the highest quality ingredients.

    Key Ingredients: Lavender, Lemon

    Pros
    • Suitable for sensitive skin
    • Lasts up to 8 hours
    • Universal scent
    • Fresh and fabulous fragrance
    Cons
    • Too fruity
  • Khadlaj Azaari for Men and Women Concentrated Perfume Oil

    Khadlaj Azaari for Men and Women Concentrated Perfume Oil
  • Azaari is one of the best-selling perfume products by Khadlaj. It is a unisex perfume, making it a suitable choice for both men and women. People of all ages like the fragrance of this perfume, so it is equally famous among young and old customers. People often buy this perfume in large quantities for themselves and as a gift for their loved ones. The best thing about this perfume is that it is quite refreshing and feels soothing and smooth. This perfume has a longevity of more than 3 days with its sharp, rosy, and ambery fragrance. 

    Key Ingredients: Amber, Roses

    Pros
    • Long Lasting
    • Soothing scent
    • Eye-catching packaging
    Cons
    • Quite expensive
  • Zoha Arabian Musk Roll On Perfume for Women and Men

    Zoha Arabian Musk Roll On Perfume for Women and Men
  • You can now feel the best composition of Arabian Perfume with rich and earthy musk and a sweet woody blend and low top notes. This Arabian musk fragrance is similar to Oud, with a woodsy aroma and a captivating scent that will give you a feeling of being on a magical vacation, trekking through exotic markets of the Middle East. The Zoha perfumes do not have separate top, middle, and base notes. Their unique blend of essential oils and the aroma compounds in these non-sticky dry-oil bases makes it a unique fragrance that evolves with your skin and creates a personal scent.

    Key Ingredients: Musk, Wood, Oud, Essential oils

    Pros
    • Very Subtle smell
    • Alcohol-free
    • Incredible packaging
    Cons
    • Only available in a small bottle
  • Best Pocket Friendly

    Hijaz Saffron Oud Authentic Arabian Scented Perfume Oil

    Hijaz Saffron Oud Authentic Arabian Scented Perfume Oil
  • Hijaz Saffron Oud Fragrances are naturally created using base oils from plants and other organic substances. Being natural, these fragrances keep changing their smell throughout the year. The aromas are not synthetically manufactured but made using natural ingredients sensitive to weather and other environmental factors. These body oils are provided for topical use only. It would be best if you avoided eye contact. If you get these oils in your eye, clean the eyes with cold water or milk.

    Key Ingredients: Plants base oils

    Pros
    • Fresh and long-lasting
    • Alcohol-free
    • Universal smell
    • Pocket-friendly
    Cons
    • Less quantity
  • Best Long-lasting Scent

    DARK MAGIC Artisanal Handcrafted Perfume

    DARK MAGIC Artisanal Handcrafted Perfume
  • Dark Magic is an amazing artisanal handcrafted perfume. This handmade Arabic perfume oil fragrance is available in a unique traditional attar style, a signature of Arabian perfumes. This incredible perfume combines the most precious ingredients, like sandalwood and musk. Dark Magic is a warm, woody, and slightly smoky perfume that takes your imagination to the level where you can feel the true essence of life and happiness. This perfume is an excellent combination of perfume and culture.

    .Key Ingredients: Sandalwood, Musk

    Pros
    • Premium ingredients
    • Warm and pleasant fragrance
    • Leak-proof packaging
    • More potent
    Cons
    • Not suitable for all
  • Sultan by Al Haramain Exotic Arabian Perfume Oil/Attar

    Sultan by Al Haramain Exotic Arabian Perfume Oil/Attar
  • The Sultan perfume is an exotic Arabian perfume known for its concentrated perfume oil that has no alcohol in it. The scent is available in Cedar, Lavender, Orange, Sandalwood, Vanilla, and Ylang. The best part of this perfume is that it does not cause the headaches that most people complain about after using fragrance. It also does not bother people with allergies either so you can wear it fearlessly everywhere. This exotic perfume can last more than a day and give you a pleasant, soothing, and refreshing experience for a whole day.

    Key Ingredients: Cedar, Lavender, Orange, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Ylang

    Pros
    • Long-lasting
    • Fantastic smell
    • Alcohol-free
    • Hypoallergenic
    Cons
    • Can make one feel nauseous
  • Zoha Amber Oud Wood Spray Perfume for Women and Men

    Zoha Amber Oud Wood Spray Perfume for Women and Men
  • Zoha Amber Oud Wood Spray is a unique blend of oud wood with a combination of golden amber surrounded by deep floral notes. The Zoha perfumes have no separate top, middle and base notes. They have a unique blend of essential oils, and the aroma of their compounds is non-sticky. The dry-oil base helps to make an individual fragrance note that evolves with your skin to merge with your characteristic scent. 

    This alcohol-free and paraben-free unisex oud comes in lovely packaging that grabs the aesthetic sense of viewers and convinces them to buy it. The attractive packaging also makes it a lovely giftable object. 

    Key Ingredients: Amber, Floral Extract, Essential oils

    Pros
    • Alcohol-free
    • Paraben-free
    • Attractive Packaging
    • Giftable
    Cons
    • Wears off quickly
  • Arabian Oud Sehr Al Kalemat for Men and Women

    Arabian Oud Sehr Al Kalemat for Men and Women
  • Al Kalemat achieved remarkable success after introducing the fragrances that earned them fame worldwide. Arabian Oud is one of those fragrances by Al Kalemat. It is a light, soft, sweet, and smoky fragrance that is still specially made for men. The fragrance of the oud is persistent and concentrated, creating a magic-like feel in the surrounding. It is also known as the Magic of Words.

    This fragrance includes violet, patchouli flower, and bergamot extract combined with the incredible scent of vanilla and oud. The touch of oud gives a calming effect to the perfume, and the addition of musk extract and luxury amber make this perfume a unique choice to make you stand out in all the events.

    Key Ingredients: Violet, Patchouli flower, Bergamot extract, Vanilla, Oud, Musk, Amber

    Pros
    • Made from real Cambodian oud
    • Pleasant fragrance
    • Great for cologne lovers
    Cons
    • Problometic sprayer

    How to Choose the Best Arabian Perfumes?

    -Choosing the best perfume is important, but it is not very simple. Below are some useful tips that will help you choose the best Arabian perfumes. 

    -Before choosing a perfume, always smell the base notes first and then the final notes. 

    -If you want to smell according to weather, seasons, and occasions, keep a collection of perfumes from different families. Each of them will help you smell unique and pleasant at various events. 

    -Always buy a perfume keeping your skin type in mind. Otherwise, you may not find a perfume long-lasting as some perfumes dissipate quickly on dry skin as compared to other skin types. 

    -Choose a perfume only when you truly love the fragrance. It is because you have to spend a long time with that fragrance, and it must be something that you love and enjoy. 

    -Always buy perfume in the evening and during summer. It is because your sense of smell is sharper in the evening and in summer. 

    -Do not apply a new perfume directly on the skin. Spray it on a card and smell it after 10 minutes. If you like it, then spray it on your skin. 

    -Do not try various fragrances at one time. After smelling each perfume, smell the coffee beans in the jar that is available on the counters of perfume shops. It will reduce or remove the fragrance of the previous perfume, and you can better smell the new fragrance now.

    Pro Tip

    Those looking for a signature scent must pick just one Arabian scent instead of an amalgamation. Also, apply a little since they can be overwhelming for beginners.

    How to Use the Best Arabian Perfumes

    Using anything properly increases its quality and life. By following the tips below, you can learn how to use the best Arabian perfumes in the best way. 

    -Always spray an Arabian perfume from a distance of 3 to 5 inches because if you spray it directly and closely on your clothes, it will leave a watermark. 

    -Do not rub perfume on wrists or clothes because friction can damage the original notes and compromise the effectiveness of the fragrance. 

    -Avoid shaking the perfume bottle before or after spraying.

    Fragrances always have a deeper meaning than just being cosmetic. In Arabic culture, fragrances are revered because they enable experiences through a prism of scents. Applying these attars to burning bakhoors at home is like bringing second nature. Oud has a tempting smell and is known for spiritual and psychological benefits (1). It is also famous for its unique calming properties. Moreover, the best Arabian perfumes are not just for the elite class, they are for everyone. These perfumes' royal and intense fragrances spread a nostalgic scent that is loved by many. Additionally, thanks to their quality and purity, these perfumes are in high demand in the global market.

    FAQ's

    What does Arab perfume smell like?
    Arabs belong to a warm and sophisticated culture of the Middle East, so Arabian perfumes contain the combined fragrances of musk, roses, oud, sandalwood, amber, and saffron.
    Do Arabic perfumes smell good?
    Arabic perfumes are famous worldwide because they smell good and are unique as they are made from natural ingredients like amber, oud, musk, roses, etc.
    Why are Arabic perfumes so strong?
    Arabian perfumes are strong because they are made from natural ingredients and are Alcohol-free. The infusions of fragrances with concentrated oils make them smell stronger.
    Why do Arabs use so much perfume?
    Cleanliness and fragrance are a part of Arab culture and lifestyle. Arabs use perfumes to get ready for holistic occasions like prayers and Eid celebrations.
    How do I know if a perfume suits me?
    You can only check if a perfume suits you by applying it to your skin. Smelling perfume from the bottle cannot tell you if it suits you because the smell in the bottle can be different from that on your skin. So always check a perfume after spraying it on your skin.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    As a perfume fanatic, our beauty aficionado Sayantani took a keen interest in authentic Arabian perfumery, or as she likes to call them — “the mother of all perfumery”! She ordered a bunch of traditional Arabian perfume concoctions and explored the infused notes of rose, oud, amber, and vanilla, thereby categorizing these perfumes as predominantly sweet and woody. Then, she reviewed those products and curated this list of her top recommendations.

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons

    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Sayantani Deb
    Makeup & Beauty Writer

    Sayantani is a certified hair and makeup professional turned writer with 2+ years of experience in the same genre. Ap More