5 fragrances in the Second Skin Scents trends

The perfume industry goes hand in hand with fashion, and in the past decade, it has undergone curious changes following the fashion industry. Interest in the body has always been present in it, but in the era of diversity, body positivity, and gender diversity, the accents has shifted. Perfume etiquette and respect for personal space are gradually displacing loud sillage scents. In recent years, alongside the main enemies of sterile office spaces like Kirke and Baccarat Rouge 540, weightless fragrances that New York journalists dubbed the new softies, second skin or just skin scents have also become popular. The creators of these new fragrances are targeting a young audience - millennials and Gen Z, who, according to marketers, like to "smell like nothing." We've selected five fragrances that resemble magical invisible ink, complementing the natural scent of the skin rather than overpowering it.

Milky Musk 39, Parle Moi de Parfum

"A soft creamy musk and sandalwood settle on the skin and blend with it as one": this is how the brand Parle Moi de Parfum presents the Milky Musk 39 composition. It's the perfect "perfume blanket", which from the very first spray will remind you of Santal 33, Tam Dao, and Gypsy Water. The scent of cucumber brine and wet wood will turn into the steam from a rice cooker, a glass of soy milk, sandalwood, and a delicate skin-like musk in just half an hour. This is the kind of scent you want to wrap yourself in to escape the troubles of the outside world, like a fluffy white blanket.

You, Glossier

Perfume launches by fragrance brands rarely generate as much interest as in the case of Glossier, but the leading beauty brand of American millennials has turned even the light scent of clean skin into an event. Everything about it is remarkable: from the marketing to the packaging, and of course, the fragrance itself. No speculation on the familiar theme of sweet desserts, white flowers, sensuality and sexuality. Instead, there's a subtle and fresh scent of tanned skin after a shower, self-care, a touch of nostalgia and self-irony. The inspiration for brand founder Emily Weiss were the fragrances she used in high school and college (Clinique Happy, Gucci Rush, fragrances by Michael Kors and Stella McCartney), as well as Rose 31 and Gaiac 10 from Le Labo, and Accord Oud from Byredo.

“When I started working on this project, I was captivated by the idea of my own, personal skin scent,” Emily said. "Our entire team agreed that Glossier's first fragrance should have a close connection to this scent. To be something that would blend with the skin but not disappear. You know what the collar of your jumper smells like at the end of the day? Intimate, warm, sexy in its own way, yet comfortable. I wanted to find something similar in a bottle," Emily Weiss shared.

You by Glossier was created by perfumers Dora Baghriche-Arnaud and Frank Voelkl, who emphasized the cosmetic nuances in the musk accord. In short, "You" is one of the best skin scents, alongside other fragrances in our list.

Concrete, Comme des Garçons Parfums

In the brand's official release, this fragrance is presented as a concept embodying the texture of concrete interwoven into modern urban landscapes. The text spoke of both creation and destruction, and the evolution of perception within this endless cycle. Like other Comme des Garçons fragrances, the result is an avant-garde, contrasting scent, at the heart of which lies a voluminous accord of wet concrete soaked with raindrops, warm, creamy cedar and sandalwood. Due to the woody notes, a slight nuance comes out in the finish. Journalist Rachel Syme compares this sandalwood profile to a "deceptively expensive white T-shirt, tailored to fit and draping in all the right places". It's hard not to agree with her.

Latex, UER Mi

This fragrance could be classified as a hidden gem, a masterpiece not fully understood by the audience. It was well received by the media, but not quite understood by buyers. However, the brand hesitated for a long time to discontinue it and even considered releasing it as a limited edition in new packaging. Contrary to the name, which alludes to BDSM aesthetics, Latex doesn't have such notes. The UER Mi fragrance smells like a warm skin under a cosy blanket, tinged with frosty lilac, pierced by the winter wind of the Mediterranean Sea, and just a touch of a metallic undertone.

Dolce Riso, Cale Fragranze d’Autore

Calé Fragranze d’Autore is the brand of Silvio Levi, an Italian businessman who also owns the distribution company Clive Christian, Creed and Majda Bekkali. The fragrances in the collection are inspired by real or fictional stories that Silvio narrates to perfumers (including Mark Buxton and Maurizio Cerizza), who then translate them into the language of scents. The fragrance Dolce Riso is created based on an ancient Indian legend. God Shiva fell in love with the beauty Retna Dumilu. She promised to give her consent only if Shiva provided people with "good, hearty food that would be a source not only of nourishment but also of pleasure." Shiva couldn't come up with anything and didn't fulfil her request. Retna was so disappointed that she decided to drown herself in the Ganges river. Forty days later, a small white flower appeared from her grave. Dolce Riso is dedicated to the accord of rice, resting on a cashmeran-creamy cushion. Soothing and intelligent.