18 Relaxing Fragrances That Will Lull You to Sleep

Welcome to Sleep Week! We're dedicating five days of content to one of our absolute favorite activities, and the products that make catching zzz's that much more enjoyable. Get ready to sleep tight.

From running a bubble bath to curling up with a book, relaxation takes many forms. Adding a fragrance into the mix — perfumes, candles or even solid balms that can be massaged on for the ultimate sensorial moment — can add an extra dose of serenity to a nighttime routine.

"I think adding a fragrance to your relaxation routine is a must," Zhane Antionette, a fragrance and beauty content creator, tells Fashionista. "Whether it's your favorite perfume, body spray, rollerball, room spray or candle, incorporating a fragrance to introduce your sense of smell into your current state of existence will allow you to be present in that moment."

But which notes qualify as a relaxing fragrance? It's largely subjective: Warm and spicy aromas engulf the senses like a cozy blanket, while fresh and airy scents channel an open field of flowers or freshly-cut grass. There are also soothing gourmands for the sweet tooths of the world, or aromatic fragrances with calming notes of lavender or sage.

"Traditionally, ingredients such as lavender, eucalyptus, light florals or citrus are the notes that we can all relate to as relaxing scents," President of The Fragrance Foundation Linda G. Levy tells Fashionista. "Yet science has proven that although those universal notes are truly scents which help you to relax, any fragrance that transports you to a past experience which defined your personal and unique place of relaxation or led to a relaxed state of mind, such as on a vacation get-away, can be additional notes that are deeply relaxing on an individual basis."

For an on-the-go respite, Levy recommends Origins Peace of Mind, along with Bath & Body Works' Eucalyptus Spearmint scent. Some of her favorite perfumes also include Tom Ford Rose D'Amalfi, Maison Francis Kurkdjian Amyris Femme, Narciso Rodriguez All of Me, Shalini Iris Lumière and Bulgari Au Thé Blanc.

"Generally, a relaxing fragrance with a powdery rose scent brings me to a relaxing state of mind during the daytime," Levy says.

Antionette's current fragrance favorites include a handful of calming scents, such as the subtle comfort of a warm cup of coffee emitted from Maison Margiela's 'Replica' Coffee Break Eau de Toilette and the soothing swirl of caramel and woody notes from Carner Barcelona's Palo Santo. She also recommends Clean Reserve H2Eau Musk Noir Eau de Parfum, a spicy sheer musk, and Chabaud Lait Concentré, a milky gourmand.

A relaxing fragrance can fit into any routine: Light a candle after a long day, roll on essential oils following a bath or spritz on a perfume in pursuit of a moment of peace. Levy advises focusing on pulse points for peak relaxation: "Temples, wrists, behind your ears — or even a hair massage."

For sweet and spicy noses alike, we've rounded up our picks for the best relaxing fragrances below.

Best relaxing rollerball scent: Being Frenshe Glow On Roll-On Fragrance with Essential Oils in Floral Lavender Cloud, $15, available here

Best relaxing woody scent: Brown Girl Jane Dusk Eau de Parfum, $102, available here

Best relaxing woody scent: Bulgari Eau Parfumée Au Thé Blanc, $115, available here

Best relaxing balm scent: Bynacht Perfect Nacht Sleeping Balm, $95, available here

Best relaxing woody scent: Carner Barcelona Palo Santo, $145, available here

Best relaxing candle: Forvr Mood Left On Read Candle, $42, available here

Best relaxing gourmand scent: Chabaud Lait Concentré, $66, available here

Best relaxing musky scent: Clean Reserve H2Eau Musk Noir Eau de Parfum, $110, available here

Best relaxing aromatherapeutic scent: Rare Beauty Find Comfort Stop & Soothe Aromatherapy Pen, $20, available here

Best relaxing fruity scent: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Amyris Femme Eau de Parfum, $240, available here

Best relaxing floral scent: Tom Ford Rose D'Amalfi Eau de Parfum, $295, available here

Best relaxing room spray: Bath & Body Works Eucalyptus Spearmint Concentrated Room Spray, $9, available here

Best relaxing candle: Homesick Evening Unwind Candle, $38, available here

Best for on-the-go relaxation: Origins Peace of Mind On-the-Spot Relief, $19, available here

Best relaxing warm scent: Maison Margiela Replica Coffee Break Eau de Toilette, $165, available here

Best relaxing floral scent: Narciso Rodriguez All of Me Eau de Parfum, $142, available here

Best relaxing aromatherapeutic scent: Nemah Calming Aromatherapy Roll-On, $26, available here

Best relaxing floral scent: Shalini Iris Lumière Parfum, $500, available here

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