Today’s consumers expect multifunctionality from their beauty products, a trend significantly influenced by the rise of technology. In the beauty industry, this translates to items that address various needs beyond their primary use. We see hair conditioners that serve as scalp growth serums, body lotions that tackle skin imperfections, and an array of products infused with supposed ‘wellness’ benefits.

The quest for wellness is increasingly intertwined with aesthetics, featuring vibrant colors, engaging textures, and ‘neuro-active’ ingredients. Fragrance, long recognized for its psychological effects, is emerging as a key player in the next generation of cosmetics, combining mood-enhancing properties with genuine skincare advantages.

“The trend for using fragrance as a self-care tool has gained momentum among Gen Z, who select scents based on their potential emotional benefits,” explains Michelle Feeney, founder of Floral Street fragrances. “This inspired us to develop a body mist that transcends conventional eau de toilette, focusing instead on functional fragrance with hydrating and healing effects.”

However, the concept of a ‘skincare fragrance’ presents challenges since fragrance can irritate the skin. Despite stringent safety regulations, dermatologists caution that frequent exposure to potent fragrances on the skin may lead to sensitivity, rashes, or dermatitis over time.

Are these innovative products capable of balancing the need for gentle skincare with the comforting effects of scent? Evidence suggests they already are.

Hydrating Aroma-Mists

Robertet, a leader in fragrance and flavor development, is at the forefront with its Actiscents line, which blends natural aromatic ingredients (often essential oils) with both olfactory and skincare benefits. Their offerings feature extracts that shield the skin from pollution and help reduce pigmentation. Floral Street specifically selected a blend to inhibit skin-inflammation enzymes.

The soothing formula present in Floral Street’s three new body mists decreases the likelihood of irritation by 50%. The vibrant Floral Street Wonderland Peony Perfume Mist, priced at £24, incorporates upcycled rosewater, a byproduct of rose oil production that provides hydration while minimizing skin reactivity.

Similarly, Wildsmith Skin’s Super Moisturising Treatment Mist, available for £40, features biodynamic rosewater, known for its antioxidant vitamin E content, along with ingredients like hyaluronic acid that promote hydration.

In another innovative take, Salt & Stone’s Santal & Vetiver body mist, priced at £45, combines skin-friendly functionalities with a gentle scent derived from moisture-retaining glycerin and nutrient-packed red algae.

Updating classic fragrances, Moroccanoil Brumes du Maroc hair and body fragrance mist, costing £24, integrates nourishing ingredients like argan oil and vitamin E for skin protection and essential fatty acids, along with unique technology designed to shield hair from UV damage.

Wellness Oils for Mind and Skin

Farida Irani, founder of Subtle Energies, notes that the formulation determines whether fragrant essential oils lead to skin issues. “High-quality, unadulterated oils tend to cause less irritation,” she states. “The correct blend of chemical compounds and trace elements in therapeutic oils plays a crucial role in avoiding adverse reactions.”

Her Subtle Energies The Facial Blend, available for £240, features a base of regenerative ashwagandha and mogra oils, complemented by jasmine, rose, and sandalwood — essential oils known for their calming and anti-anxiety properties, ensuring minimal adverse reactions for users.

Neurae Harmonie The Oil, priced at £125, achieves a trifecta of psycho-dermatological benefits by combining essential fatty acids, a plant extract that mitigates cortisol’s effect, and a soothing Palo Santo aroma known for its pain-relieving and stress-reducing qualities.

Inspired by the prior success of collaborations such as Byredo and Susanne Kaufmann’s Bregenzerwald Body and Fragrance Oil, Jo Malone has developed aromatherapeutic body care. Their Restore body oil, retailing for £64, combines replenishing primrose and almond oils with a fragrant mix of jasmine, neroli, and rosehip, designed to offer tranquility.