Incense fragrances come in many forms, from intense and smoky to delicate and almost ethereal. For those looking to leave an unusual, decidedly intriguing scent trail, few notes offer quite the same allure.
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Now that we’ve left the sweltering heat behind, we can reach for the warmest, most enveloping, and spiciest fragrances in our beauty arsenal – you know, the scents that feel made for the first chill of autumn. Like a soft cardigan, they wrap around the skin, offering an immediate sense of comfort.
For those in search of a scent trail that strays from the familiar, incense is an intriguing choice. Its use dates back to ancient times, when it played a central role in sacred ceremonies and rituals, but its olfactory character can vary dramatically.
There is the more pungent variety, reminiscent of church interiors and traditionally associated with olibanum, a fragrant resin obtained from plants of the Boswellia genus. Then there is Indian incense, generally sweeter and more floral, created from a blend of plants, resins, and spices. Japanese incense, meanwhile, is altogether more delicate and refined. Known as Kōdō, the art of appreciating incense is considered one of Japan’s three classical arts, alongside the tea ceremony and ikebana.
Depending on the composition, incense perfumes can be deep and powerful, particularly when combined with resins and woods, or light and almost velvety, like the delicate wisps of smoke rising from the aromatic sticks we burn at home.
Which facet to embrace is ultimately a matter of taste. What remains certain is that incense makes an irresistibly refined – and subtly sensual – note for welcoming the colder season. Below, shop ’s edit of the best incense fragrances for the season ahead.
Why it’s -approved: Although this is billed as a men’s fragrance, it’s equally as appealing to everyone if you’re a fan of transportive, aquatic fragrances. While the overall feel of this fragrance is intensely woody, there’s an earthy mineral quality that comes courtesy of seaweed and salt, all of which helps sharpen everything up.
Why it’s -approved: The fragrance opens with aldehydes and coconut water, creating a luminous, gourmand freshness. At the heart, incense mingles with jasmine petals and milky musks, bridging the composition’s initial brightness with a deeper base of sandalwood and salty amber. The result is sophisticated, vibrant, and full of energy.
Why it’s -approved: Inspired by the aromatic resins used in Florentine homes and religious settings during the Renaissance, this composition opens with cardamom and pink pepper. Incense and cypress unfold at the heart, while vetiver lends the base a dry, woody finish.
Why it’s -approved: Inspired by Somali resin incense, Encens Suave explores the sensual side of incense, pairing it with Andalusian labdanum absolute and Laotian benzoin. Vanilla and coffee add a rich, gourmand dimension.
Why it’s -approved: Inspired by the souks of Marrakech, Casbah combines the spicy warmth of black pepper and nutmeg with the elegance of cedarwood, tobacco, and angelica. Iris adds a fresh, rounded quality.
Why it’s -approved: As modern and elegant as the tailored suit that inspired its name, Le Smoking opens with vetiver, fresh ginger, and incense. A touch of rum lends an alluring alcoholic warmth, while elemi, nutmeg, cedar, and cypress create a sophisticated woody-smoky trail.
Why it’s -approved: Ethereal, solitary, and intimate, L’Orpheline combines incense, musk, and castoreum to evoke the subtle, powdery aroma of ash.
Why it’s -approved: Inspired by the Beatles’ journey to India in the late 1960s, Purple Mantra surrounds incense with a vivid arrangement of violet, lavender, freesia, rose berries, iris, and sage.
Why it’s -approved: A tribute to L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Parisian headquarters in the 1970s, Passage d’Enfer pairs the balsamic depth of incense with the delicate notes of lily, musk, ginger, and rose.