8 olfactory notes that help you find peace Here's how to find peace and tranquility with just one spray

Some people practice yoga, others meditate, some indulge in a therapeutic shopping session, and then there are those like me who find peace in a bottle of perfume. It’s not magic, but pure chemistry with a dash of psychology: certain scents can truly slow your heartbeat and restore calm. Here are eight notes to look for in your next purchase, perfect for finding tranquility in a single spritz.

How to stay calm: the perfect perfume notes

Lavender - Le Labo Lavande 31

Lavender is the ultimate calming note, one that the brain automatically associates with peace and mental clarity. It reduces heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and some studies even consider it a natural anxiolytic due to its sedative properties like linalool. Its herbaceous, slightly floral aroma can help you breathe more slowly and relax both body and mind.

Chamomile - Lush Hungarian Fronds

No need to drink it to feel its effects: chamomile has an immediate relaxing power. Its sweet, herbal scent helps slow down and release tension, perfect for those living with the constant anxiety of deadlines.

Sandalwood - Chloé Atelier Des Fleurs Santalum

Sandalwood is the ultimate zen wood: warm, creamy, and incredibly comforting. It’s the kind of scent that slows your thoughts, as if everything is magically in place. It’s the perfect ally for those who stress over everything and can never, truly relax.

Neroli - Labsolue 23 Neroli

Neroli is the scent that puts you back together when you feel exhausted inside, as if you need a breath of fresh air. Floral but never cloying, it brings a sense of peace and clarity, like the crisp morning air after days of heat. It’s the perfect essence for starting anew with lightness and clarity.

Vetiver - Diptyque Vetyverio

Vetiver is the wood that slows you down: earthy, enveloping, and elegant, it makes you feel like you’re breathing in a tiny zen garden. Its aroma instantly calms the mind and is perfect for those who need to disconnect, reset, and regain control with confidence.

Vanilla - Replica Whispers in the Library

Vanilla is the scent that reminds you that after every storm, there’s always a ray of sunshine. Sweet and enveloping, it stimulates serotonin and calms the mind as effectively as a real hug.

Incense - Serge Lutens L'Orpheline

Incense is the scent of meditation and mental silence. It evokes introspection but doesn’t have to be mystical: it can simply be an elegant way to for five minutes.

Clary Sage - Glossier Sandstone

Clary sage is known for its balancing and anti-anxiety properties, ideal during mood swings or stressful periods. Fragrances with this note offer a small olfactory refuge that soothes the mind and restores equilibrium. Want a runner-up? Try Hemp by LabSolue, newly released.