I’ve researched and worn dozens of clean fragrances — these are my favorite options with natural and organic ingredients that last all day.
In the past few years, I’ve realized that fragrances are more than a passing fancy for me — they’re an obsession. From scrolling endlessly through perfume reviews to elaborately arranging outings to test samples in-store, I’m now somewhat of a cogno-scent-i. 😉 And as I go deeper into fragrance research, I’ve found that I prefer natural, clean fragrances to their synthetic counterparts. With natural fragrances, I appreciate the connection to the source — it always delivers some extra pleasure when I encounter that very same smell out in the world.
When I asked Baptiste Bouygues, founder of the natural fragrance brand Ormaie, his opinion, he said: “There is something unique about natural ingredients, they have a soul. Their complexity brings a certain profoundness and poetry to a fragrance.” After testing a dozen clean fragrances for this review, I can tell you: It’s true. Plus, it isn’t only the storytelling. Natural ingredients and safe synthetics also protect us from harsh chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin or even disrupt hormones.
For this guide, I’ve compiled twelve nontoxic perfume brands that span size, price, and scent, many of which offer sample sizes at a discounted price too. Whether you’re looking for something luxurious or refreshing spray, there’s something for everyone on this list.
What are the benefits of natural perfumes?
According to the Environmental Working Group, most scents in perfumes are synthesized from the fragrance industry’s 3,100 stock chemical ingredients, or they are derived from petroleum. Since our skin absorbs nearly 60% of what we put onto it, the hidden chemicals in perfumes can be irritating or even detrimental to our long-term health. Often, toxic chemicals are grouped in under the term “fragrance” — most notably, phthalates, which are endocrine disruptors. Not all brands that include “fragrance” as an ingredient are harmful but you do have to pay attention to the standards of the brand to know.
For this guide, we’ve selected nontoxic perfumes that use only the highest quality natural ingredients and avoid harmful synthetics, as evidenced by their certification, materials, and ingredient lists.
How do you make sure natural perfume lasts all day?
If you’re anything like me, you might enjoy dousing yourself with upwards of a dozen sprays of a fragrance before leaving the house. With natural perfumes, this is more than welcome! They tend to be lighter and more ephemeral than their synthetic counterparts. But much of this depends on the form of your fragrance. While I’ve been using the term perfume loosely, there are actually many forms that a fragrance can come in — perfume is only one of them. Here are the basics:
- Perfume or parfum: This is where you’ll find the highest concentration of perfume oils (traditionally dissolved in alcohol) in your product, at 20–40%. You can expect it to last 12+ hours and deliver the “wow” factor when you walk in a room.
- Eau de parfum: Slightly less concentrated at 10–20%, which will last you 8+ hours. (There’s also eau de toilette and eau de cologne which are increasingly less concentrated.)
- Perfume oil: Perfume oils are known for lasting long and projecting less. If you prefer something that sticks close to your skin and doesn’t make a splash when you walk into a room (in perfume speak, this is called sillage), this could be for you.
- Solid perfume: Similar to perfume oil, solid perfumes have a high concentration with less sillage for a more personal experience. These are also the best for travel!
- Body mist: Body mists are composed of 3–5% perfume oil with a watery base. They have the lightest scent and less longevity compared to other options listed here. Since they don’t have as much alcohol, these are often formulated to spray on hair too.
If you want to extend the wear time of your natural perfume even further, try to apply it to moisturized skin and don’t pat or rub the fragrance after application. Some brands recommend using fragrances on cool points, as opposed to pulse points, which reduces the rate of evaporation. I also find that after using a single fragrance for some time, it starts to stick to my clothes so consistency can help you out.
Our criteria & methodology:
I’m a lover of both fragrance and clean beauty so for this guide, I researched the best perfumes with high quality and natural ingredients and tried them all to make notes on the best scents, how they wore over time, and even which look best on your bathroom counter. All of the options on this list are safe for sensitive skin and noses and never use any harsh chemicals. We regularly update this list with new favorites that meet our high standards.
- NATURAL & NONTOXIC INGREDIENTS | The brands on this list use high-quality natural and even organic ingredients in nontoxic formulations so you can be sure you’re not harming your health. We’ve done our best to avoid parabens, phthalates, endocrine disruptors, and carcinogens.
- SCENT | I’ve personally worn all of the options on this list, and made notes of my favorite scents for each brand. There’s something for everyone here — no matter if you prefer a gourmand, something floral, a second-skin scent, or something else.
- LONG-LASTING | Below, I’ve made notes on how each brand wore over the span of a day. They all passed the sniff test of lasting beyond lunch hour.
- AFFORDABLE | Perfume can be an investment. We have luxe options on this list, but also more affordable options for those with a smaller fragrance budget.
And if you want to go green with your whole beauty routine, check out these beauty brands that offer natural and organic makeup, aluminum-free deodorants, and natural skincare your skin will love.
Best Overall | Best Clean Scent | Most Affordable | Best Luxury | Most Organic
1. Abel
Our Pick | Black Anise
Product Range | Perfume, perfume minis, room sprays
Price Range | $33 (individual sample) – $180 (50mL full size)
Headquartered in New Zealand, Abel makes 100% natural luxury perfumes that excel at feeling modern and sophisticated. They’ve led the pack on the natural and nontoxic perfume movement since they were established in 2013 in collaboration with master perfumers and using the latest biotechnology. Abel combines everything I love about natural scents — beautiful fragrances with zero unpleasant notes and their care and attention to detail (everything is vegan, and comes in eco-friendly packaging!). I’ve been a long-time fan of the brand, wearing Cobalt Amber for a subtle everyday scent — but this time around, I fell in love with the Black Anise. Black Anise is a more vibrant and smokier amber with some star anise which is perfect for feeling like a cool girl in the cool weather. Plus, it really lasts. For those interested, they have more fresh, floral, fruity, and woody scents too that all come shipped in eco-friendly packaging with carbon offsets.
2. Henry Rose
Our Pick | Dark Is Night
Product Range | Eau de parfum, body spray, body cream, candles
Price Range | $60 (travel duo) – $120 (50mL full size)
To create Henry Rose, founder and actress Michelle Pfeiffer worked with both the Environmental Working Group and the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute to ensure that the fine fragrances met the highest standards in health, sustainability, transparency, and manufacturing. Today, the brand boasts a collection of eleven EWG-verified fine fragrances, including Dark Is Night (vanilla and woody patchouli) and Smyth (notes include crisp green apple). My personal fave is Dark Is Night. While I’m not usually a vanilla person, this perfect combination of the gourmand and musk together is *chef’s kiss.* It feels sophisticated, sexy, and for that price — color me impressed! I was skeptical about this celebrity-backed brand, but now I’m looking forward to trying more from them. They now offer body sprays, creams, and two candles too!
Also available at:
Credo
3. Ormaie
Our Pick | Tableau Parisien
Product Range | Organic eau de parfum, extrait de parfum, small bottles, refills, soaps, hand cream
Price Range | $50 (The 5 Samples) – $310 (100mL full size)
This French brand brings the long and rich tradition of French perfume-making into the 21st century with its exceptional use of raw, natural materials. And Ormaie takes this up literally since it was founded by a mother and son (yes, that would be Bouygues quoted above!). This family affair has produced some of the most beautiful — and beautifully packaged — luxury perfumes of recent, natural or not! Even if you’re not in the market for a luxury perfume at the moment, it’s worth spending time with the poetic stories behind each of their scents, inspired by memories and literature. My personal favorite is the Tableau Parisien, which heads in the direction of an Oriental with its sweet and spicy white flower profile, but is perfect for going between day and night since it is so light and natural. Not much sillage on this one, but I usually find the scent in my hair at the end of a long day. If you want to appreciate the true craft of perfume making with a bottle that looks chic and stately on your vanity, you can’t find a better option than Ormaie.
4. Dedcool
Our Pick | Xtra milk
Product Range | Eau de parfum, laundry products, hand and body products, incense, candle, air freshener
Price Range | $6 (individual sample) – $90 (50mL full size)
Dedcool creates aromatic fragrances with just organic extracts and alcohol — no water needed! This LA-based brand locally sources ingredients, produces in-house, and uses sustainable packaging, all to minimize emissions. We love that Dedcool’s fragrance line spans three applications, so you can use it all over — from fragrance on your person to laundry detergent to air fresheners. You can build your own sample tin, layer them on or wear them individually, or take the quiz to find the best scent for you! My personal favorite is their classic scent, Milk, but in the superpowered Xtra Milk. It wears like a second skin and can easily flex between genders — perfect for sharing with the one you love. It’s a great scent on days when you’re feeling extra sensitive (it’s hangover-proof!!). This one is one of the longest-lasting on the list. Whichever you pick, you can bet that the fragrances, often unisex and made with safflower oil, were crafted cleanly sans gluten, sulfates, parabens, or phthalates.
Also available at:
Credo
5. NOYZ
Our Pick | Love Club
Product Range | Solid fragrance, eau de parfums
Price Range | $22 (discovery kit) – $85 (50 mL full size)
NOYZ blew me away! I hadn’t heard of the brand until doing research for this guide, even though it appears they’ve been trending for some time on social. (Where was I?!) NOYZ is set on revolutionizing the hyper-idealized perfume industry with modern scents that move the needle. They also happen to care deeply about ingredient selection, and partner with producers who are focused on environmental responsibility. I was particularly intrigued by The Solid Fragrance Pair which is perfect for traveling, plastic-free, and a good option for those who find the alcohol in perfumes to be too drying. Coincidentally, I stayed in a hotel with Byredo products while testing NOYZ’s Love Club and found it to be strikingly similar. Love Club was far and away my favorite scent because I found the saffron notes positively intoxicating. With the solid perfume duo coming in at $55 dollars, that’s quite a dupe/deal. Plus, they offer free shipping on orders over $55. This is an affordable way to experiment with fun, young, clean fragrances.
6. Ffern
Our Pick | Seasonal
Product Range | Organic eau de parfum, released quarterly
Price Range | $129 per season (32mL)
The UK-based Ffern offers a new model for fragrance, but with old-world charm and ingredients. The brand creates natural, limited-edition scents that are blended by master perfumers in the English countryside. Once you’re on the ledger, a new perfume is sent to you each season on the solstice/equinox. How charming! Don’t worry, your shipment comes with a sample to smell before you commit — if for any reason you don’t like it, you can send the full bottle back. For this review, I tried their Autumn ‘24 scent inspired by golden quince with complex floral tones and a spicy base of myrrh and caraway seed. It’s a singular scent that I couldn’t get enough of. It felt dreamy and complex, and extra special since I knew it was only going to be produced once. Ffern is also special in that you can explore different creations by the same Noses (in this case, Francçois Robert and his protégé Elodie Durande) — if you like one, you’re bound to like them all. This would make a very nice gift for the perfume lover in your life…just sayin’!
7. Merit
Our Pick | Retrospect
Product Range | Extrait de parfum, clean beauty
Price Range | $92 (30mL)
We’ve been fans of Merit for a long time thanks to their clean beauty products — so when we heard they were releasing a fragrance, I knew it had to go on this list! Retrospect, the first release from Merit, follows the brand’s philosophy of using only clean and sustainable ingredients to produce an end product that is beautiful and safe for the most sensitive skin. As for the scent? Developed in Paris, the heart of perfumery, this scent is simultaneously vintage-feeling (it reminded me of my grandmother’s perfume, in the best way!) and modern (it’s a second-skin scent meaning it smells like you, but better). The depth here is impressive with clean opening notes of pear, a floral center, and a base of musk, vanilla, and moss. Plus, Merit has engineered this to be extra long-lasting with 20–30% concentration of natural and safe synthetic perfume oils. Try this one if you like a womanly, modern twist on a classic with just a hint of vanilla — and enjoy how the scent unfolds throughout the day.
8. Kindred Black
Our Pick | Damiana Aphrodisiac
Product Range | Perfume oils, solids, aromatherapy
Price Range | $65 (mini perfume oil) – $345 (most expensive 15mL bottle)
Kindred Black was founded in 2015 after its co-founders burnt out on the fashion industry. Instead of plastic waste, harsh chemicals, and unregulated manufacturing, they yearned for a new type of company where they could produce thoughtful, impactful products that aligned with their personal beliefs. Today, Kindred Black offers natural, artisan skincare, cosmetics, and — for our purposes — botanical perfumes that are packaged in stunning hand-blown glass vessels. Every fragrance is a work of art, but Kindred Black makes it their mission to deliver on that promise. The scent profiles from this brand are sensual, deep, and historic. Just knowing about the brand felt like discovering a secret, and wearing the perfume was like keeping one. I love everything from this brand — but the solid perfume options are an affordable way in and can flex as a balm too. Think of the coolest girl you know, I bet she had Kindred Black on her vanity.
9. Ellis Brooklyn
Our Pick | Salt
Product Range | Eau de parfum, hair and body mist, body oil, moisturizer, candles
Price Range | $5 (individual sample) – $155 (100 mL full size)
Before she was a perfumer, Bee Shapiro of Ellis Brooklyn was a beauty writer for the New York Times. When she got pregnant with her first daughter, she sought out clean beauty and found that clean fragrance was sorely underrepresented in the industry — so she made her own! Ellis Brooklyn contains a high percentage of natural ingredients and only safe synthetics when they’re the better, more sustainable option. The brand invests in rigorous testing, and opts for FSC certified stockists and carbon-neutral shipping wherever possible. These fragrances are widely available at online retailers and in department stores which is a major perk for re-upping your supply. From Ellis, I really like Salt which is a straightforward beachy scent that’s simple enough to wear daily. Myth is another fan favorite. These are solid (in terms of their performance!), accessible scents that are clean and not too challenging.
Also available at:
Credo
10. Maison Louis Marie
Our Pick | No.04 Bois de Balincourt
Product Range | Eau de parfum, perfume oil, home diffuser, candles, body and hand wash, hand cream, body lotion, body oil
Price Range | $16 (perfume oil mini) – $93 (50 mL full size)
With a story that begins in 1792, Maison Louis Marie carries centuries of botanical history. And its fragrances prove it. The team blends delicious notes together — like hinoki wood, cedarwood, patchouli, and white musk in the No.02 Le Long Fond — to create unforgettable fragrances you won’t be able to stop spritzing. Call us basic, but No.04 is the go-to everyday scent for most editors in our office (sandalwood, vetiver, and amber wood — swoon). And with a full-sized bottle lasting us up to a year (sometimes longer!) the price point is hard to beat. The Antidrit Cassis was what I tested for this review since I love the combination of Cassis and black pepper. The white rose and clean musk gave a slightly stoic and mature vibe — less sexy, if that’s your preference. It really sticks to clothes and hair. Whichever you pick, you can bet that the fragrances, often unisex and made with safflower oil, were crafted cleanly sans sulfates, parabens, or phthalates.
Also Available at:
Credo
11. Ceremonia
Our Pick | Perfume de la Tierra
Product Range | Perfume, hair care
Price Range | $69 (1.7oz full size bottle)
Ceremonia began as a hair care brand centering Latinx heritage, using natural ingredients sourced from Central and South America and focusing on producing clean products that are also sustainable. More recently, they launched this fragrance, Perfume de la Tierra, which mirrors the scent of their popular shampoo. If you’ve used Ceremonia hair care, this scent will be immediately recognizable to you from its notes of bergamot, peach, and tonka bean. Overall, this smells exactly as described, like a “vibrant, humid rainforest” with woodiness, green notes, and fruity notes too. This is a fun and lively scent that also feels clean and super wearable. It fades throughout the day — but doubling up on your hair care scent is a good way to give a natural scent extra life. Plus this bottle is dreamy so consider it bathroom decor.
Also Available at:
Credo
12. Ourside
Our Pick | Dusk
Product Range | Eau de parfums
Price Range | $35 (discovery kit) – $196 (50 mL full size)
Last but definitely not least, Ourside’s fragrances are made for outsiders. Multilayered, different, and undeniably compelling, this line of perfumes offers a different profile of smells than ones composed by the old masters. The storytelling is large and in charge here, without losing any of the intentional craftsmanship. Outside’s fragrances are Credo clean, crafted in small batches, and never contain harmful chemicals, dyes, or anything animal-derived. Most of these scents combine an early or woody element with lighter, far-out pairings so take their fragrance quiz to see what suits you best. Dusk smells like the boutique you love to frequent on Sundays and is my favorite for daytime, while Moon Dust smells like the interior of a dark restaurant as you head to your booth for a late dinner with a hot date. These are modern, evocative, and give fancy hotel lobby (iykyk) all day long.
Also Available at:
Credo
Ashley D’Arcy is the Senior Editor at The Good Trade. She holds an MA in Philosophy from The New School for Social Research and has contributed to esteemed outlets such as The Nation, 032c, and Yale School of Management’s Insights where she’s leveraged her expertise in making complex ideas accessible to a broad audience. In addition to her editorial work, she is training as a psychoanalytic mental health professional and provides care to patients in New York City. Ashley also explores sustainable fashion, clean beauty, and wellness trends, combining thoughtful cultural critiques with a commitment to mindful living.
