While a lot of makeup, beauty, and grooming products we use are made with toxins, perfumes contain them more extensively. But we don’t have to be alarmed or deprive ourselves of smelling fantastic as long as we use the best non-toxic perfumes.  

Now, when it comes to toxins, every individual’s tolerance, suitability, and sensitivity are quite different from each other. For example, while parabens have gained a reputation for being harmful to health, a study by the American Academy of Dermatology Association suggests that that may not be the case for most users. Hence, when investing in a perfume, you can consciously avoid ingredients that you are allergic or sensitive to, and perhaps not rule out everything when looking for a good fragrance. 

Notwithstanding that there are other reasons to invest in non-toxic perfumes; most of these products are vegan and cruelty-free, environment-friendly, skin-friendly, and made with clean formulations. Besides, they contain the basic components that every perfume requires — alcohol and essential oils — the only difference being that in non-toxic formulations, these ingredients are naturally derived. 

This also means that these perfumes won’t have a synthetic after-smell like some fragrances typically do — and I assent to this by leveraging my personal experience and expertise with such perfumes. The following recommendations of my favorite perfumes are a result of thorough research and product testing to ensure that you get the best worth for your buck. Now, without further ado, let’s scroll away and see their reviews.

• 1
  Pocket-friendly Scent

  Pacifica Flower Moon Spray Perfume

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Fresh, feminine, and blissful — three words that come to my mind when I think of this perfume, and it has been my signature scent for a very long time! This natural perfume opens with the crisp and airy notes of jasmine, which is one of the most versatile floral notes that agrees with every individual’s scent preference! 

As the scent lingers, it gets an effervescent fruity punch and eventually dries down to a sweet, calming, lactonic scent — thanks to the peach and vanilla notes. This fragrance doesn’t have too much going on, so it won’t overwhelm your nose but would still offer everything a girl wants in a basic perfume! Moreover, Pacifica is a trusted non-toxic perfume brand, which makes this product even more worth the investment.

Special Feature: Comprises a very lean formula, including alcohol, essential oils, and water. Also, it’s vegan and cruelty-free.

Notes: Jasmine, peach, vanilla

Quantity: 1 Fluid ounce

2

Skin-friendly Scent

Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Fragrance Vanilla Grapefruit

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If you just raised your brows, let me tell you exactly why the product stays true to its name. It is formulated with sugarcane-derived alcohol as well as other natural goodies such as Kakadu plum, chamomile, oat amino acids, etc. This clean perfume is a treat for the skin, and I personally never experienced any irritation after applying it. 

Now the fragrance — it has a crisp, energizing opening that smoothly transitions into a sweet and creamy base note. With this, this natural scent offers about everything you need to rejuvenate your senses. Besides, it perfectly caters to my personal scent preference.

Special Feature: It is a cruelty-free and vegan perfume, devoid of parabens and phthalates. It is gentle on sensitive skin and is handcrafted by master natural perfumers.

Notes: Grapefruit, cedarwood, goji berry, and vanilla

Quantity: 0.34 ounces

Quick Tip:

Apply this perfume to pulse points and allow it to absorb. Keep the bottle in a cool, dark place, away from sunlight.

3

Most Giftable

Esscentials Lazy Summer Fragrance Mist

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Of all the fragrances that I tried out, the scent of this non-toxic body spray was the most unique, complex, and intriguing. The primary notes of this perfume are salted coconut and orange blossom — a tropical composition that smells warm, creamy, sweet, and fresh in a subtle way. 

While one would typically recommend wearing this airy scent to a beach/coastal getaway, I believe that wearing this on any casual day can pique interest and make heads turn. Besides, the formula feels comfortable on the skin and didn’t trigger any irritation in my case.  

Special Feature: In addition to being clean, the product is vegan, cruelty-free, and made with sustainable practices in the USA. In addition, it is biodegradable, naturally-obtained, and free of parabens and phthalates.

Notes: Pineapple, lemon, orange flower, salted coconut, and Tahitian gardenia

Quantity: 2 ounces

4

Best Sillage

Apothia IF Eau de Parfum

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Now, this EDP from Apothia employs a composition that is hard to go wrong with — white florals and citrus, which suits most people’s scent profiles. However, compared to typical citrus fragrances, this one isn’t too sharp for the notes and gets hints of sweetness from the infused floral extracts. 

Plus, the musky dry down adds a seductive, pheromonal touch to this subtle scent, which makes it a good choice for romantic and intimate occasions. I really love this fragrance for how unique it is, as it doesn’t easily get boring and keeps things fresh.

Special Feature: This is an award-winning fragrance made with premium organic ingredients

Notes: Bergamot, yuzu lemon, grapefruit, tuberose, jasmine, white gardenia, moss accord and Pacific musk

Quantity: 0.4 fluid ounces, and 1.70 fluid ounces

5

Best Tropical Scent

Ellis Brooklyn Sun Fruit Eau De Parfum

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Very few perfumes I’ve ever tried out have had a composition that is as balanced as this one from Ellis Brooklyn. Fruity, lactonic, powdery, fresh, aquatic — it has a bit of everything going on, making it a fragrance that hardly ever gets boring! 

This natural fragrance is breezy and effervescent — like a delicious cocktail — and makes the wearer reminiscent of a Hawaiian getaway. And, unlike a lot of other tropical scents that I’ve tried before, this fragrance is rich, complex, and multi-dimensional. Lastly, its sweet notes are not too in the face, ensuring that it won’t overwhelm your senses much.

Special Feature: This is a rich, well-balanced, and giftable product made with exotic natural and safe ingredients

Notes: Fresh fig, bergamot, handpicked jasmine, cyclamen, and vanilla

Quantity: 0.24 fluid ounces, 0.33 fluid ounces, 1.7 fluid ounces, and 3.4  fluid ounces

6

Best Solar Scent

Dossier Floral Marshmallow Eau de Parfum

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Made with exotic ingredients sourced from France, this natural perfume from Dossier comprises a rich, revitalizing, solar scent that makes you stand out from the rest. The fragrance indulges the senses and boosts confidence, helping you face the day with vigor. 

For people who are sick of sharp and aldehydic fragrances, this EDP is a sweet and indulgent choice as it works as an excellent mood booster on dull days. Another great feature of this floral scent is that it projects well and leaves a trail!

Special Feature: This fragrance has been concocted with fine ingredients sourced from France. It is vegan and cruelty-free. And, it comes with a secure magnetic lid closure.

Notes: Marshmallow, neroli, bergamot, orange blossom, honeysuckle, jasmine, orris, vanilla, musk, and amber

Quantity: 50 ml

7

Best Layereable Scent

Skylar Clean Beauty Willow Woods Perfume

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A popular brand for making clean and non-toxic perfumes, Skylar presents this amazing green and woody EDP that is perfect to rejuvenate your senses. The fragrance is really airy and rejuvenating, suitable for people who are sick of really strong and fruity scents. 

The scent makes one reminiscent of a relaxing stroll in the woods. For me personally, it has a therapeutic effect and helps calm my inhibitions. Besides, despite being composed of green notes, the fragrance does have a delicate sweetness and an aromatic touch, which ensures that it doesn’t feel too sharp or aldehydic for the nose.

Special Feature: The product packaging is recyclable, sustainable, and FSC-certified. The formula itself is vegan, cruelty-free, and free of harmful chemicals such as parabens and phthalates.

Notes: Willow, heliotrope, pine, fir balsam, incense, and wood

Quantity: 0.33 fluid ounces

8

Best Hypoallergenic Scent

DIME Beauty 7 Summers Eau de Toilette

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This eau de toilette from Dime Beauty comprises a sweet, floral, and calming scent that is perfect to soothe your senses without coming off as very underwhelming. I credit this to the unique composition comprising notes such as vanilla orchid, whipped cream, and sweet coconut notes that are warm and comforting — like a loving embrace. 

Due to this, I sometimes spritz this perfume just to indulge my senses and uplift my mood. Also, it has a pheromonal touch to it which makes it great for romantic and intimate occasions.

Special Feature: This product is made in the USA, comprising sustainable packaging and non-toxic ingredients

Notes: Bergamot zest, juicy pear, lavender blossom, vanilla, sweet coconut, blonde woods, and musk

Quantity: 1.7 ounces

9

Most Versatile Scent

Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt

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A classic winter perfume, this composition from Maison Louis Marie No.04 comprises a deliciously rich and warm accord blended with the coolness of woody notes, which delivers a balanced fragrance. While this non-toxic perfume is sure to remind you of the great outdoors (think: mountains, forests, lakesides, etc.), the sweet, spicy, and sensual touch of sandalwood and amber wood in the blend instills a sense of comfort and coziness. 

I believe this scent to be the fragrance comparable to a finely aged glass of expensive scotch — a classy pick suited for those tired of scents that are too sugary or musky. 

Special Feature: Like all products from the brand, this perfume is vegan, cruelty-free, and safe for the wearer’s body and the environment. 

Notes: Sandalwood, cedarwood, vetiver, nutmeg, cinnamon, and amber wood

Quantity: 0.5 fluid ounces

10

Best Unisex Scent

Wild Spirit First Snow Eau De Parfum

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I would describe the fragrance of this EDP from Wild Spirit as cool, woody, aquatic, and immensely exotic, owing to the infusion of notes such as Bushman’s candle, which gives this perfume its unique charm. The fragrance is pleasantly complex as it comprises hints of spicy, peppery, and fruity notes, which invigorates the senses. 

Due to this, I deem it suitable to apply when heading to work but also to make a bold statement. This perfume is perfect for those who want to boost their confidence, and it helps with the same without coming off as too overpowering.

Special Feature: Concocted with natural fragrance oils, this non-toxic perfume is made with clean beauty standards. It is planet-conscious, vegan, and cruelty-free.

Notes: Juniper berries, lemon verbena, black pepper, bergamot, guaiac wood, white birch, Bushman's candle, warm amber, vanilla, sandalwood, coconut water

Quantity: 1 fluid ounce

Now that you’ve seen my product recommendations for the best non-toxic perfumes, scroll away to understand things to consider before buying one.

Formulation:

Phthalates, aldehydes, and parabens are notoriously common toxins found in most perfumes, and you can identify them under names such as dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), acetaldehyde, methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, butyl paraben, etc. Other notorious substances include salicylates, toluene, benzene, triclosan, styrene, and aluminum-based salts. 

These contaminants are harmful to the skin and health and may result in dermatitis, itchiness, dizziness, asthma, nervous system issues, allergies, and other reactions, varying across individual sensitivities and tolerances (study published on NCBI). 

Hence, one must look for perfumes that are devoid of such ingredients and instead, comprise natural ingredients such as organic alcohol (preferably food-grade) as well as essential perfume oils as key fragrant ingredients. The addition of other plant extracts, fruit oils, and humectants is also beneficial.

Key Notes And Accords:

The notes one should look for in a perfume will depend on their fragrance preference. If you like citrusy and fruity fragrances, look for notes like bergamot, pineapple, juniper berries, blood orange, strawberries, etc. Popular floral notes include jasmine, gardenia, rose, violet, lavender, freesias, etc., and woody and warm notes include cedarwood, amber, sandalwood, pine, and vetiver.

Longevity:

Oftentimes, synthetic and potentially toxic perfuming agents are ones that make a scent last longer. And, if you’re looking for a non-toxic perfume that’s also inexpensive, chances are that the fragrance may not last a very long time. While you should still prioritize longevity in fragrances, remember that investing in clean and non-toxic products is a bigger priority. 

Notwithstanding that, there are other factors you can look for in a perfume, that can determine its longevity, such as a higher concentration of oils over water, and the inclusion of woody and warm notes that are naturally more long-lasting.

Projection And Sillage:

Apart from the notes, there are two things I prioritize a lot in perfumes — the projection and the sillage. A good perfume for me should fill the air in a room in a subtle way without being too overpowering or offensive. At the same time, the true test of a good quality perfume happens when it leaves a trail, without one determining it. Hence, check the above-mentioned product reviews and prioritize the product you wish to invest in accordingly.

Season Suitability:

While fruity, floral, herbaceous, and watery notes are perfect for spring and summer, rich, warm, woody, spicy, and ambery notes are incredible for fall and winter. This little knowledge will help you invest in the right fragrance at the right time of the year.

Step 1: After showering, ensure you moisturize your skin thoroughly, using a product that won’t clash or interfere with the perfume of your choice. However, you’re welcome to use a scented moisturizer that contributes to the fragrance of the perfume.

Step 2: Take your perfume and hold the sprayer 12-15 inches away from the pulse points of your body, such as the neck, wrists, behind the ears, and knees, as you spritz it. If it's an oil-based roll-on, gently rub the perfume on these pulse points and allow it to settle for a few seconds.

Step 3: Resist the urge to rub the wrists or any skin area for that matter to spread the scent, as this can ruin the fragrance instead of enhancing it. After 4-5 hours, re-apply the fragrance if needed.