Why Perfumes Smell Different on Everyone

Jan 27, 2025

You might have noticed that a particular perfume, enchanting on one person, takes on an entirely different character when worn by another. Or you may have had the experience when you loved the smell of a perfume in store, and then it seems different at home when you use it.

 

This fascinating phenomenon is not a mere quirk of fate but a complex interplay of factors, some scientific and others deeply personal. In this blog we’ll cover about Why Perfumes Smell Different on Everyone?

 

There’s not a lot of scientific research to explain why exactly the same scent can smell so differently on different people. But there are a few credible explanations on which there’s a pretty good consensus. "Body chemistry" tends to be the go-to explanation you'll hear most, but that's pretty vague and could mean any number of things, like how much you sweat, or whether you're wearing other topical products that could be altering the effect of a fragrance.

 

Skin type.

If your skin is dry, it will absorb fragrance differently than well-moisturized skin. Since many of us apply perfume after showering, when skin is stripped of natural oils, it’s important to moisturize first. Avoid products that dry out the skin, like harsh cleansers and scrubs. Dry skin absorbs fragrance, so it’s better to have the scent sit on your skin. Use gentle cleansers and quality moisturizers, then apply fragrance. The oily skin would go well with scent marked vanilla, while light citruses work well. Balanced skin will hence keep the true smell of your perfume.

 

Skin pH.

pH varies between people. Here is where oft-referenced body chemistry does indeed come into a play a little bit. For many of us, the surface of our skin is a small bit on the side of being acidic in terms of pH, but easily thrown off kilter if you have conditions that affect your skin's pH levels, like eczema, kidney disease, or diabetes. Some lotions and soaps (for example, traditional favorites like Ivory and Zest, which are very alkaline) will similarly alter your skin's pH when topically applied, causing your skin's surface to run more alkaline. Your skin's pH can also be temporarily upset just because it is exposed to pollution from the air, antibacterial products, hard water. essentially anything that comes into contact with your skin and thus disrupts your normal pH range.

 

Diet.

While most foods and drinks don't significantly affect how our skin smells, there are some exceptions. Overindulging in alcohol or garlic can leave a noticeable impact. When the body struggles to metabolize these, they’re released through sweat. Garlic’s enzymes, for example, end up in the bloodstream and then in sweat, while alcohol also exits the body through sweat after the liver works overtime. Avoid these foods before applying perfume to avoid a garlicky or alcoholic undertone to your fragrance.

 

Environment

 

The environment plays a significant role in how perfumes evolve.

 

Hot Weather: the warmth of your body amplifies the scent, revealing lighter, fresher notes, which is why citrus or aquatic-toned perfumes are excellent for summer use.

 

Cold Weather: the effect is the opposite. Fragrances take longer to unfold, thus allowing deeper and richer notes, such as amber, oud, and vanilla, to stand out when it's colder.

 

Therefore, if your perfume smells different during the day versus at night, or between winter and summer, it's natural.

 

Fahaliya’s Got You Covered.

 

If you’re tired of trial and error, try exploring Fahaliya’s range of perfumes. We’ve curated scents that cater to different skin types, weather conditions, and occasions.

 

Stop worrying about why a perfume smells different on you. At Fahaliya’s, you’ll find something that works perfectly with your chemistry. Give it a try, and you’ll be glad you did!