In the 1980s, pheromone perfumes became something of a phenomenon when scientists realized they could harness the natural chemicals our bodies produce to attract others.
Ever since, fragrance houses have been developing pheromone perfumes for men and women that can boost their sex appeal.
But before I tell you about my go-to pheromone scents, let’s recap what they actually are.
What is a pheromone perfume?
Pheromone perfumes are fragrances that contain synthetic versions of pheromones, which are believed to have a subconscious and attractive effect on the opposite sex. They are designed to have an aphrodisiac effect to trigger arousal and attraction.
They are often associated with romance-inducing smells, featuring sensual fruity, floral, sweet, gourmand, and ambery notes
Just how effective pheromone perfumes are is still a topic of debate, although I for one have definitely seen these scents work. Anytime my partner wears a pheromone perfume, they’re definitely more attractive to me.
Our Top Pheromone Cologne Picks For 2024
The best pheromone colognes we’ve come across include:
- Best overall: Escentric Molecules’ Molecule 01
- Best unisex option: Swiss Arabian’s Zahra
- Best for women: Marily Miglin’s Pheromone
- Best for men: Azzaro’s The Most Wanted
- Best budget: Pure Instinct’s Pheromone Cologne
- Best vanilla scent: Yves Saint Laurent’s Black Opium
- Best luxury: Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Aqua Universalis Forte
- Best on Amazon: Bravado Labs Premium Unisex Pheromone Cologne
Best Overall: Molecule 01 By Escentric Molecules
The go-to anti-fragrance cologne, Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 is designed to blend with your natural pheromones.
It only includes a singer ingredient, Iso E Super, a synthetic ingredient that adds a warmth to your fragrances.
What’s greatest about Molecule 01 is that it makes any fragrances you layer with it last longer and project further.
Usually, I get an extra couple of hours out of a fragrance when I use Iso E Super.
Best Unisex Option: Zahra By Swiss Arabian
While not explicitly marketed as a pheromone perfume, Zahra definitely has a seductive, attractive quality.
Opening with fruity greeness, before settling into warmer notes of sandalwood and vetiver, it’s an excellent unisex pheromone fragrance. Truth be told, it’s one of my favorite fragrances.
It’s also alcohol-free too, which is another big tick in my book
Zahra notes
- Top: Fruity notes, aldehydic notes
- Middle: Rose, jasmine, marigold, mimosa, saffron, berries
- Base: Dehn el Ood (agarwood), sandal, musk, vanilla
Best for Women: Pheromone by Marilyn Miglin
Pheromone by Marilyn Miglin is a classic and luxurious scent, blending spices, palm leaf, mint, lotus, and rosemary at the top, jasmine, ylang-ylang, rose, and iris in the middle, and woody notes of sandalwood and patchouli at the base.
It smells slightly differently on every wearer although still retaining the classy, floral edge, which is why I really think it’s the best pheromone perfume for women who want to attract a man.
Marilyn Miglin Pheromone notes
- Top: Spices, Palm Leaf, Mint, Lotus, Rosemary
- Middle: Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, Rose, Iris
- Base: Oakmoss, Woodsy Notes, Sandalwood, Vodka, Patchouli
Best for Men: Azzaro The Most Wanted
Azzaro The Most Wanted is a bold, modern pheromone perfume for men. It’s masculine, sweet, slightly boozy and lasts for over 6 hours with a really strong projection (a couple of sprays is plenty).
The Most Wanted is actually one of the first men’s pheromone colognes I ever bought, and I haven’t looked back since.
Lots of men also swear that this pheromone cologne attracts women if you’re after a seductive scent.
The Most Wanted Notes
- Top: Cardamom, Ginger
- Middle: Toffee, Woody Notes
- Base: Amberwood, Bourbon Vanilla
Best Budget: Pure Instinct Pheromone Roll-On
You don’t always have to break the bank to smell good.
Pure Instinct’s roll-on pheromone cologne retails at just $16.95 on Amazon. As to be expected, you will need to top up a few times a day as the fragrance only lasts around three or four hours.
It’s definitely worth it though. Pure Instance enhances the wearer’s natural pheromones with gourmand notes like mango, honey and cinnamon. The white musk base definitely gives it the depth to really work as a cheap pheromone fragrance.
If you’re on TikTok, you may already have come across Pure Instinct — their pheromone fragrances went viral after several influencers tried them.
Pure Instinct Pheromone Roll-On Notes
- Top: Australian mango, mandarin
- Middle: Honey, cinnamon
- Base: White musk
Best Vanilla Scent: Yves Saint Laurent’s Black Opium
Yves Saint Laurent’s Black Opium is one of the most popular perfumes at the minute, thanks to its contemporary, seductive blend of coffee and vanilla, complemented by sweet notes of jasmine and pink pepper.
If you love a rich, sweet vanilla fragrance, Black Opium ticks your boxes. It really combines well with your natural scent to create a really delectable aroma.
Black Opium Notes
- Top: Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom
- Middle: Jasmine, Coffee
- Base: Vanilla, Patchouli, Cedar
Best Luxury: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Forte
On the other hand, if you’re happy to spend a little more on a pheromone cologne, go for Aqua Universalis Forte from luxury perfume brand Maison Francis Kurkdjian.
It combines bright, floral, and musky notes for a scent that’s refreshing and sophisticated.
Because it’s such a classy scent, it’s really versatile. I’ve worn Aqua Universalis Forte to work events, parties and on hot summer days.
Aqua Universalis Notes
- Top: Amalfi Lemon, Bergamot
- Middle: White Flowers, Jasmine, Rose
- Base: Musk, Woodsy Notes
Best on Amazon: Bravado Labs Premium Unisex Pheromone Cologne
Hands down the best pheromone perfume on Amazon has to be Bravado Labs’ premium unisex scent. It’s great to layer on other fragrances as it’s a subtle scent designed to optimize your natural smell.
I bought it after reading quite a few 5* reviews like this one from Amazon reviewer Melissa Moore:
“This product is amazing!! Every time I wear it someone asks me what fragrance I have on because they love it so much. And the coolest thing is that it smells differently on everyone and it can be worn by women and men both.”
Why it’s so good will continue to be a mystery though because Bravado Labs don’t list what’s in the scent.
What do pheromones smell like?
Pheromones typically smell musky, sweaty or like worn clothes but in a pleasant way. They often include synthetic versions of axillary steroids like androstenol and androstenone that come from male sweat glands, as well as aliphatic acids. Meanwhile pheromone perfumes’ scents vary from light and fresh to floral and fruity.
What is the famous TikTok pheromone perfume?
The famous TikTok-viral pheromone perfume is the Pure Instinct Pheromone Perfume Oil. This product has gained popularity on TikTok, with users swearing that it made men and women more attracted to them. It creates a “one-of-a-kind scent” by blending with the wearer’s skin pH.
Do pheromones make you attracted to someone?
Yes, some studies suggest that exposure to certain pheromones may influence attractiveness ratings and sexual activity, but the evidence is not conclusive. Some aftershave wearers claim to have experienced positive effects from using pheromone perfumes, while others have not noticed any significant changes.