The Best Unisex Fragrances in 2023

It’s 2023. You share Netflix accounts, Google documents, a joint bank account, and yet you keep your fragrances separate? It is time to change that up. What appeals to you or the other sex may be similar. So, it is time to move away from the traditionally masculine/feminine sections of the fragrance sections and see the world of fragrances for what it is—a world worth exploring! 

We have a list of the best unisex fragrances in 2023 that are worth trying. These come from a slew of fragrance makers who feel that you should buy what appeals to you and not be boxed in by the traditional marketing personas. 

1. Blu Atlas Atlantis

We regard Blu Atlas Atlantis as one of the best unisex fragrances in 2023. Comes in a sleek black box? Check. Sits discreetly in your bathroom? Check. Smells delicious? Check. It is marketed as a cologne, but really, we think this is for anyone of any sex. 

Blu Atlas described this as a scent inspired by the sights and smells of Bali, and spritzing it would inspire the love and wonder of travel in people. While we want to be chilling in Bali in person, if that’s not possible, this is probably the closest we can get. Without the mosquitoes that come with it! 

This scent starts with a top note of bergamot and lemon, which hits you quite fiercely but slowly fades off to a beautiful lavender and clary sage scent. At the end of the day, according to Bespoke Unit, you would smell like the forest—a beautiful mix of oak moss, ambrette seed, and musk comes together beautifully. It never smells too overpowering, which is great for both sexes.  

This comes in a 3.4oz/100ml bottle. 

2. Phlur Somebody Wood Eau De Parfum 

Born of TikTok fame, Phlur has seen a strong revival since fashion influencer Chriselle Lim took over the helm as its new owner. She breathed new life into the fragrance line and basically took TikTok by storm. 

Somebody Wood may not have gone viral the way “Missing Person” has, but it is a delightful and sensual scent that works for the strong and sensitive type. Perfumer Robert Gaudelli created this sensual scent, and at the top, we have strong smells of bergamot and lemon. And at its heart of the scent lies leathery saffron and jasmine, before dissolving into a lovely, intimate scent of sandalwood and spicy amber. It is undeniably sexy and something you’d wear for the entire day in anticipation of your date in the evening.  

This comes in a 100ml bottle, and you can also get a travel-sized version of Somebody Wood. That is if you can find it in the first place! 

3. Byredo Gypsy Water Eau De Parfum 

While fragrances have traditionally been categorized into masculine and feminine based on the notes in the scent—where female ones are usually more floral or fruity, and males usually get woody musky scents—it does not actually have to stay this way. 

There are many scents in the market, like Byredo’s Gypsy Water, that do away with this false dichotomy. Gypsy Water pays tribute to the beauty of Roman culture and customs and creates a scent that embraces its unique customs and beliefs. In doing so, Byredo dreamt up a scent that contained woody notes of pine, juniper berries, lemon, and sandalwood of medium intensity. It does not become too overpowering despite the strong top notes, where it fades to a mild vanilla, amber, and sandalwood scent. 

Byredo wants us to feel like we are back in the forest, celebrating the beautiful dark night with intimacy and warmth like no other. The scent is also vegan and not tested on animals. 

This comes in a 1.7oz/50ml bottle. 

4. Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum

Okay, we admit this is a “basic” unisex fragrance that is probably on everyone’s shelf already. It is definitely one of the best unisex fragrances in 2023, though! Le Labo is on everyone’s beauty shelf for a reason—they have created a scent that would mesmerize both men and women. And why wouldn’t it? Santal 33 is described by Le Labo as “an open fire, the soft drift of smoke, where sensuality rises after the light is gone”—such a vivid description for a scent. 

Le Labo’s extremely recognizable labels came onto the scene in 2006, and each fragrance is freshly blended at the time of purchase. Its top notes are cardamom, iris, violet, ambrox, and it fades to a smoky wood mixture of Australian sandalwood, papyrus, and cedarwood. This made-in-USA scent evokes comfort with its leathery and musky notes. 

This fragrance is vegan and cruelty-free, paraben-free, and comes in a 100% recyclable 1.7oz/50ml bottle.  

5. Aesop Rozu Eau De Parfum 

Aesop is a prominent Australian niche cosmetics company that was founded in 1987 in Melbourne by Dennis Paphitis. Its distinctly bronze bottles of hand soap, body wash, and hand creams are so popular they appear in magazines even if the bottles are empty of any product. 

While this may not be a 100% natural fragrance (very few of them are!) and is largely created in laboratories, it is still a scent to behold. This fragrance reminds us of a huge bunch of roses of tender intensity. It is not overpowering and smells like there are different layers to this “rose” scent. Once the floral scent dissipates, you can smell vibrant scents of shiso accords, guaiacwood, woods and spice, earth, and light smoke. At the base of it, vetiver (appears in a lot of Aesop fragrances), patchouli, and myrrh stay. 

This comes in a 1.6 fl oz / 45ml bottle. 

6. House of Bo Espiritu Eau de Parfum

Yes, we know we have quite a few woody scents in our list of best unisex fragrances in 2023, but we promise you this isn’t a boring option. 

ESPÍRITU’s signature scent is familiar—it is distinctively woody and unforgettable. Its top notes are osmanthus, clary sage, and carrot seed, which then ground itself in an enchanting mix of Mexican oakwood, leather, and labdanum. Its pretty bottle is also welcomed in bathrooms of both sexes and sure wouldn’t look out of place in a designer hotel too. 

It is made in the USA and comes in a 2.5 oz/75ml bottle. 

7. Glossier You Eau De Parfum 

Glossier, oh Glossier. They can never do any wrong, can they? Coming into popular consciousness since late 2014 – 2015, it is a mainstay on many beauty editors’ shelves.

Glossier You is also such a popular scent! They seem to have revised the formula since it hit, so it does not have as much staying power, but it still smells the same. Glossier You is, according to their website, “heavy on warm, creamy base notes (musk, ambrette, and ambrox) that transform and smell a little different on everyone.” This is awesome—you first smell the sparkling pink pepper which is super bright and fresh on the top note. Then, you smell the woodsy and slightly sweet heart of the scent before fading evenly throughout the day into an earthy, creamy, and white floral scent that is not overpowering. 

Reviewers have said that the scent changes based on how your body changes day to day—and that kind of “evolution” when it comes to a scent is so magical. 

This comes in a 1.7oz/50ml bottle. 

8. 19-69 Villa Nellcôte Eau de Parfum

Not to belabor the point, but there are a few ways to determine if a perfume is truly “unisex.” It doesn’t swing extremely fruity or woody and tends to have a more neutral aroma. Are we helping or making things even harder? 

Well, if you still cannot tell, just buy this 19-69 Villa Nellcote eau de parfum that was launched in 2019. This unforgettable scent is inspired by a “Belle Époque house in the south of France,” where apparently, a member of the Rolling Stones stayed in the early 70s. Sounds pretty rad. The scent has a zesty, fruity top note because of its addition of grapefruit, but grounds itself in a smoky base of musk and cedarwood. 

This comes in a 3.3oz/100ml bottle. 

9. Tom Ford Ombré Leather Eau de Parfum

You have seen how popular Tom Ford’s lipsticks are. Now, come and smell his recent leather-based scent, “Ombre Leather.” This is where Tom Ford pays tribute to his Texan roots and brings a floral (jasmine and patchouli) twist to the scent. He does not go overboard with the leather and wood scent this time. White moss and amber is at the base, leading us on a more supple, woody trail. 

It is supposed to remind us of freedom—moving “forward, untethered, through the still air of wide-open space.” How poetic. And you can almost imagine it the moment you smell this Tom Ford scent. 

This comes in a 1.7oz/50ml and 3.4oz/100ml bottle. 

10. Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne

Walk into a Jo Malone standalone store and pick any of its fragrances. You are guaranteed that any and all of it are unisex. They are popular simply because of its unisex appeal. 

This wood sage and sea salt fragrance by Jo Malon London evokes memories of standing by the sea. The reminders of sea breeze bring the ocean closer to where you are every time you spray this on your wrists. The classic addition of sea salt gives this scent a texture you don’t see in other perfumes, and the ambrette seeds and sage in it remind you that you are together with a loved one, on the shore, looking out at the horizon. 

This comes in a variety of sizes, from 30ml and 50ml to 100ml bottles. 

11. Maison Margiela Replica Lazy Sunday Morning Eau de Toilette

Did someone say, “Let’s stay in for breakfast?” 

Maison Martin Margiela has absolutely outdone itself with this scent “Lazy Sunday Morning.” Never has a scent been more accurate—it evokes the comforting feeling of fresh sheets on a Sunday morning, all curled up with a loved one. This eau de toilette is relaxing—don’t expect to be jolted wide awake by this scent. 

Instead, this fresh and tranquil scent is made from notes of lily of the valley, pear, white musk, and clean laundry. At its heart is a comforting scent of iris and orange flower, which brings a delightful warmth to the fragrance. It’s like a rainy Sunday morning, but you are all joyfully snuggled up. Underneath the spray is a musky, patchouli scent that ties every note together. 

Lazy Sunday Morning comes in a 1oz/30ml and 3.4oz/100ml bottle. They all use 15% recycled glass, which is equal to a reduction of 55 tons of glass usage per year. Standalone REPLICA refills will be launched in early 2023. 

12. NANYANG By Maison de L’Asie

This looks fancy, doesn’t it? It sure is pricey. But the thing about this sophisticated, unisex perfume by Maison De L’asie is that it is not too overpowering or lurid. Also, because these fragrances interact with your pheromones and natural body heat to produce a more personalized scent, you will not actually be smelling the same way someone else smells, even if they are using the same perfume!

Nanyang has a top note of white flower and white musk and brings forth a richness using saffron, green tea, and leather. It is a bold scent, but just bold enough so that it is appropriate to be worn in the office—especially on days when you need a little more motivation to pull through a long day. 

At the base of this scent is a hazy, dreamy black tea that harks back to Southeast Asia’s “golden days with warm facets of greenery and malt.” According to Singaporean brand Maison De L’asie, this fragrance is one of transformation. One that “brings striking facets together to create a unique fusion of the old and the new, East and West, and the black Yin feminine moon counterpart to the white Yang and order of the masculine Sun.” Sounds very unisex, for sure! 

For a stronger diffusion, apply the fragrance to your pulse points. Do not rub the skin after you spray it, and just let it sit on your skin. 

This comes in a 1.7oz/50ml and 3.4oz/100ml bottle. 

13. CK One

CK One is a top-selling unisex perfume, and we definitely couldn’t create this list without it. It is so ubiquitous some people even call this the “bad boy scent.” However, it is not just for “bad boys”—it’s for both sexes!

The top notes of this citrusy perfume are bergamot, green tea, and musk. It goes together perfectly with the scent of green tea, papaya, cardamom, and rose. The heart comes to life with an aromatic harmony of nutmeg, violet, and jasmine together with lily-of-the-valley and rose.

It stays intense the whole day—you would smell like roses, amber, and musk all day. The downside is no one would ask you what scent this is since they would already know. This is the unmistakable CK One. 

This comes in a 3.4oz/100ml bottle. 

14. VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Bois D’ Iris Eau De Parfum 

Created in 2009, Van Cleef & Arpels’ Collection Extraordinaire pays tribute to the richest ingredients known in the perfume world. I mean, it’s straight-up VCA in a bottle! What more can you expect? 

Inspired by Nature’s power and intense fragility, this olfactory “chapter” celebrates the finest ingredients—precious exotic wood essences at the top note, while at the heart of it, there is a vibrant, salty note that replicates the scent of driftwood. At the base, the scent of powdery iris contributes to a tranquil scent.

Men or women, it is hard not to be enthralled by this minimalist scent inspired by Tuscan lands. This enchanting and woody blend is available in a 2.5oz/75ml bottle. 

15. MOLTON BROWN Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Eau de Parfum

We’ll say it. Molton Brown surprises us. This made-in-England perfume is known for the usual toiletries like hand cream, soap, and shampoos, but man, it blew us away with this eau de parfum. 

Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel recreates the multiple layers and nuances of the ocean. At first smell, it smells of aromatic fig leaves and bergamot, but then at the heart of it lies the cypress and jasmine. Tying the notes altogether is this opulent leather and musk scent, which gives us ocean and forest vibes all day. 

If you start seeing ocean swells and uncharted peninsulas in your mind after you spritz a little of this, you have Molton Brown to thank. 

This unique, refillable eau de parfum comes in a 3.4oz/100ml bottle. 

16. Malin + Goetz Stem Eau de Parfum

Malin+Goetz—you see their bright electric blue bottles everywhere these days. Did you know that they make scents, too? Now you do! 

This floral-based unisex perfume harnesses the “freshness of cut stems” so that it isn’t too floral. The brighter floral note of mandarin leaves and hyacinth comes through strongly, but then fades away to leave just the base notes of musk, cedar, and vetiver.

This scent, appropriately named “stem,” is meant to evoke the idea of a garden, bringing to life the sights and sounds that are often overlooked. Not the flowers, but the crispness of crushed leaves and deep rich soil. It is the one that is ignored, but when you pay attention to it, suddenly, it seems like the garden could never do without it.

This clear bottle comes in a 1.7oz/50ml bottle.  

17. Elorea Water Eau De Parfum

In a scene dominated by French brands, you hardly hear an Asian brand creating a fragrance. Enter Elorea. Made in Korea, this fresh scent is an incredible mood booster. 

It has an invigorating top note of citrus but is matched immediately by the exquisite scent of white botanicals. True to its Asian roots, it has rich jasmine and ylang-ylang working harmoniously together with the soft and subtle musk and cedar wood. It is not an overpowering or proud scent—it is a beautiful, soft flow of musicality that makes this scent so clean and genderless.  

This is made in small batches and is kept a secret from most parts of the world. 

It comes in a 1.7oz/50ml and 3.4oz/100ml bottle. 

18. Diptyque Eau Duelle Eau De Toilette

This is probably the sweetest fragrance on our list of unisex fragrances, but not overly so. This Diptyque scent has bourbon vanilla from Madagascar and pink peppercorn at the center of its scent, making it smell sweet initially. However, it also adds and takes on new aromas throughout the day—it has scents of calamus and smoky instances of cypriol. 

Each time you purchase a fragrance, it comes with a sample that you can test on your skin before opening the full-size bottle. 

This sweet fragrance comes in a 2.5oz/75ml bottle. 

19. Armaf Oros Pure Cloisonné Eau De Parfum

What looks like a gold bar and smells like one? Armaf’s latest creation—the Armaf Oros Pure Cloisonne. 

It is a rather woody-sweet fragrance with a top note of amber, vanilla, bergamot, and cedar leaves. At the heart of the scent is a tangy-sweet passion fruit and thyme aroma, which will then ground itself in a powdery, musky cedarwood scent. 

While it does sound like quite a common list of aromatic notes, we like that it comes in a bright gold bottle that would look super luxe in the bathrooms of both sexes. 

This comes in a 3.4oz/100ml bottle. 

20. Chanel Les Eaux de CHANEL – Eau de Toilette Spray 

We would love to recommend the classic Chanel No.5, but we know how much it is associated with the pinnacle of femininity. Well, Chanel does unisex fragrances very well too! 

Inspired by her love for Venice, Gabrielle Chanel created a scent for the city known for its contrast. After losing her lover Boy Capel (also the inspiration for the famous Boy Chanel bags you now see!), Gabrielle used neroli and soft red berries, iris, and geranium as the top note for this Paris-Venise scent. 

Instead of letting the scent fade away, she introduces cedar, vanilla, and warm amber notes to ensure this scent stays beautifully on the skin. Hopefully, this scent evokes memories of the legendary city that glimmers with byzantine mosaics and precious gems. 

This comes in a 1.7oz/50 ml and 4.4oz/125ml bottle. 

21. HERETIC Dirty Hinoki Eau de Parfum

Despite its Japanese-sounding name, Heretic is actually helmed by perfumer Douglas Little and based in Los Angeles. 

This complex, woody scent with top notes of hinoki wood, thyme, and frankincense reminds us of a Japanese “forest bath.” This blend of crushed herbs is actually inspired by the practice of forest bathing in Japan, and is meant to evoke the experience of doing so. It clears your mind, grounds you, and makes everything seem good again. It makes you feel assured and peaceful, which is amazing when you think about how this is “just” a scent. 

This is a clean, plant-based perfume available at most beauty chains. This comes in 0.5oz/15ml and 1.7oz/50 ml bottles. 

22. Billie Eilish No.2 Eau de parfum 

Love Billie Eilish’s music? If you’ve bought her music and merchandise, now you can buy her new unisex fragrance. Yes, she makes fragrances now, and this is not the only one for sale. 

It looks like a piece of art that would not look out of place in a gallery. Put it in your bathroom to share with your partner, and both of you will smell like fresh bergamot and apple blossom. A seductive fragrance that draws you in, but then drenches you in an earthy, spicy mix of papyrus and black pepper. The base scent is one of palo santo and ebony, making this scent super sultry. 

This comes in a 3.4oz/100ml bottle. 

Scents do not have to fit the traditional stereotypes, and neither do you. Scents can be refreshing and suit both sexes. If you still feel much safer using traditionally feminine/masculine eau de parfums, stay that way. You don’t have to change to suit others! But if you do feel like you want to change it up a little and finally pursue what you like based on scents and scents alone, more power to you. 

For couples, having a shared scent can be considered a shared bond and closeness. In fact, you can test our perfumes that smell different on different people, like Glossier You, and smell each other after a long day at work. It will definitely keep things interesting! We sure don’t mind how cost-effective it is! 

We hope you spend a whole day at the fragrance stores just trying out the different scents and enjoying the process of choosing the scent that fits you best. Happy perfume buying!