They say scent memory is one of the longest-lasting forms of memory. Nothing transports me to the beach faster than a whiff of coconut and sunscreen. I may be sitting at my desk in the middle of the most stressful work week of my life, but with the right fragrance, my mind is happily drifting back to the days when the biggest stress of summer was building the perfect sandcastle or perfecting my tan. While I haven’t quite mastered the art of time travel to ’90s summers—or found a Euro summer that actually fits my budget—I have found the next best thing: solar perfumes.
What are Solar Perfumes?
Rather than referring to one specific fragrance note, solar perfumes are designed to capture the feeling of sun-kissed skin. Think of that incredible scent after a day spent lounging in the sun: warm, radiant, slightly salty, and just a touch aquatic. There’s a common misconception that “solar” automatically means sunscreen. While I love a coconut scent reminiscent of the Banana Boat spray we all grew up with, solar perfumes can take many different forms. Some recreate the smell of saltwater lingering on your skin after a swim, while others evoke the fruity cocktail in your hand as you lounge by the pool. No matter how a perfumer interprets the trend, solar perfumes all share an undeniably beachy, summery quality. So if, like me, your calendar is looking a little sparse in the vacation department, these solar perfumes will bring the beach to you.
Why are Solar Perfumes Trending Right Now?
After a winter and spring dominated by rich gourmands and sweet vanilla fragrances, people are craving that same comforting warmth in a format that feels lighter for summer. I mean, who doesn’t want to channel vacation energy all season long instead of just during the three days of PTO they managed to squeeze in? As whimsical beauty trends, it’s no surprise that solar perfumes are having a major moment. They capture a sense of childlike nostalgia while offering the escapism and warmth we’re all craving. And as skin scents continue to dominate the fragrance world, it only makes sense that, for summer, we’re gravitating toward versions with a tropical, sun-soaked twist.
Our Favorite Solar Perfumes to Shop Now
Notes: Orange Blossom, White Florals, Salty Vanilla
If you want to smell like skin after a day of tanning, this perfume is perfect for you. It smells like you’re glowing with a sun-like radiance, rather than wearing a loud fragrance.
This one is for the girls who love a coconut sunscreen scent. Rather than smelling like literal sunscreen, it smells like the hotel lobby of a five-star resort right on the beach.
Notes: Pink Pepper, White Peony, Lychee
Inspired by the French Riviera, this fragrance smells like the chicest woman you know. Base notes of cedarwood and musk give that skin-warmed scent that lingers.
Notes: Bergamot, Caramel, Vanilla
If you simply can’t part with vanillas even in the heat of summer, try Sunlit Vanilla. It’s far less cloying than a traditional sickeningly sweet gourmand.
Notes: Juicy Red Currant, Sparkling Bergamot, Warm Amberwood
Inspired by Hibiscadelphus wilderianus, a rare Hawaiian hibiscus last seen on Mount Haleakalā in 1912, perfumer Jérôme Epinette used scent molecules to recreate the entire environment the flower lived in through fragrance.
Notes: Coconut Water, Ginger, Frangipani
My favorite candle brand has finally entered the world of perfumes, and the scents are even better than I could’ve hoped. Tropic Waters is such an elevated, gender-neutral take on a solar scent that I will be wearing all summer long.
Notes: Nectar, Lavender, Amber Milk
You wouldn’t know it just based on the notes, but Mineral Milk smells like the sun rising over the ocean. The lavender makes every spritz feel like a relaxing, breath of fresh air.
Notes: Coconut Water, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine Absolute
This fragrance is the quintessential solar scent. And, the price tag is perfect if you want a perfume that smells expensive without actually breaking the bank.
Notes: Aldehydes, Coconut Water, Jasmine Petals
Let me introduce you to the ideal solar perfume for the minimalist. Just because you don’t want you fragrance to announce itself before you walk in the room, doesn’t mean it needs to be boring. Understated, classy, and definitely still summery, I can’t get enough of Alto Astral.
Notes: Calamansi, Plumeria, Coconut
Fresh and fruity, this body mist smells exactly like taking an everything shower post-beach day.
Notes: Ylang Ylang, Tahitian Tiare, Ambergris
You may not think you want to smell like salt, but once you smell this solar perfume, you’ll be convinced. With just one spritz it’s like the ocean breeze is blowing through your window.
Lauren Blue, Associate Editor & Book Club Co-Host
As an Associate Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives, from must-read books and behind-the-scenes interviews to beauty products she can’t live without. When she isn’t sitting in an AMC watching the latest buzzy release, she can be found scouring Goodreads for the perfect pick for The Everygirl Book Club. There, she co-hosts discussions with members, debating plotlines, fancasting characters, and, of course, tossing in her own recommendations.
Products included in graphics linked within article. Feature graphic images credited to: Nordstrom, Sephora, Ulta, Malala Alonso | Dupe, Maddy Mocherniak | Dupe, Kelsey Smith | Dupe, Lottie Brown | Dupe, Taylor Caruso | Dupe, Ebony Forsyth | Dupe, Supriya Bores | Dupe.
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