Sophisticated Gourmands, Skin-Like Musks and 4 Other Scent Trends Defining Fall 2026

Gourmands will never ever go out of style, but the category is growing up. Former beauty editor Chelsea Candelario clocked this much-needed switch to grown-up and sophisticated gourmands for 2026 at the end of last year. Think decadent notes you can indulge in, like chocolate, dates, marshmallow, chai, plus interpretations of vanilla that don’t make you want to yawn. “We're seeing gourmand fragrances evolve for fall, moving beyond traditional sweet scents. Gourmands are shifting from sticky, sugary profiles to smoother, more decadent indulgence,” says Janel Nolasco, Director of Product & Fragrance Development at Bath & Body Works.

Comfort also plays a major role in this shift. According to Pinterest's 2026 Beauty Trend Report, “Eau So Cozy” perfumes or softer gourmands are also dominating this season, with scent lovers on the hunt for fragrances with a comfort level akin to their favorite cashmere sweater. “There is a strong desire for comfort, with cozy, enveloping notes and ingredients that feel delicious and mouthwatering,” shares master perfumer Olivier Cresp. “It is not only about sweetness anymore. It is about creating pleasure, emotion and sometimes even a sense of nostalgia.”

Speaking of nostalgia, it’s been a driving force for many fragrance trends lately, and fall is no exception. This summer, we saw the rise of scents that brought you back to your childhood, like cola sodas. But this autumn, expect “milky notes and nutty facets such as almond, hazelnut and pistachio,” declares Cresp. “These ingredients bring texture and indulgence to a fragrance. You can almost taste them.” Nutty and milky notes are great for adding balance to busy scent compositions. Take Rare Beauty’s sophomore fruity-floral fragrance, Rare Beginnings, for example. In her review, SEO editor Marissa Wu notes, “I'm normally not a nutty person, but the pistachio—combined with a base note of cedarwood—were both necessary to provide a balance.”

“Fruits are making a real comeback, especially berries,” according to Cresp. “Raspberry, blackberry, strawberry and other juicy red fruits are appearing again, but in more sophisticated and unexpected interpretations.” I’m specifically seeing fruity perfumes of the preserved produced variety, with several new launches this season reminiscent of jam jar spreads. Bath & Body Works kicked off fall with its preserved collection (spotlighting several berry forward aromas), while Henry Rose launched a strawberry and peach EDP that could rival a Bonne Maman flavor. Also, expect lots of fig, and even an appearance from pomegranate this autumn. Both are subtle ways to approach fruity scents this fall; fig if you’re searching for something more earthy and pomegranate for a tarty sweetness. The latter is better to be worn as we inch closer to winter.

Smelling like yourself has never been more en vogue, and content creator Paul Fino has also noticed this uptick cocooning fragrances. “I’m seeing white musk, sandalwood, cashmere and amber continue to grow as skin-like scents become more popular,” he says. But despite the simplicity of them, not all skin scents are created equal. I, myself, have tried many skin-like scents this year, and they each add something different to my fragrance wardrobe. Nette’s recent collaboration with Morgan Riddle has a crisp and musky freshness leaning more floral, with notes of freesia, cut grass and skin musks. It feels like shrugging on a clean white T-shirt that was left to hang dry. Lore’s constantly sold-out Lil’ Softie has notes of cereal milk, bergamot and ambroxan (a synthetic ambergris note commonly found in skin scents). It's meant to give the vibes of those cold Sunday mornings from your childhood spent wrapped in a kitten-soft blanket as you watch cartoons. There’s a hint of sweetness from the cereal milk; as if you spilled your breakfast. But ultimately, it dries down to a lingering fluffy finish that you’ll never get tired of smelling. The key to wearing skin scents is finding the one that feels the most like you.

Your favorite coffee shop order is getting the fragrance treatment. Coffee and tea scents are both trending for fall, offering two different perspectives on the drink-inspired perfume spectrum. “Coffee adds a rich, indulgent feel to gourmands with a more premium feel, while tea brings soft, calming notes that connect to consumers' interest in wellness and self-care. Together, they create a cozy, comforting, and familiar scent experience that feels especially relevant for fall,” Nolasco explains. Tea scents feel spa-like, and are perfect if you’re looking for something soothing. But if you’re in the mood to be bold, coffee scents offer a warm oomph particularly suited for fall. If you’re not sure where to start, DedCool's Mocha Magic is like a freshly-made tiramisu, bottled, that’s surprisingly not overwhelming olfactory wise. As for tea scents, you can’t go wrong with Oakcha’s Lavender Stem—a relaxing blend that’ll have you dreaming of your next massage.

Woody fragrances for fall? Yes, and this year, they’re actually groundbreaking. Spicy. Aromatic. Distinct. “Woods are evolving beyond traditional profiles into richer, more complex compositions, infused with spicy warmth, luxurious oud, and textured leather nuances for a deeper, more sophisticated scent experience,” reports Nolasco. Candelario’s trend analysis also forecasted an ode to ouds, but woods like cedarwood and mahogany are also making themselves known this fall. You’ll notice these rich potions are usually incredibly long-lasting while toting accompanying notes of spices like spicy cinnamon and cardamom, or heady boozes, like rum. You may even see velvety leather notes popping up, offering a rare tactile experience to a fragrance; like breaking in a brand-new leather jacket.