7 of the best fragrance trends and scents to follow in 2026, according to professional perfumers

Gourmands are here to stay in 2026.

Gourmands have been having a moment these past few years, so it's no surprise that they'll continue dominating the fragrance world this year.

Expect to see lots more vanilla, caramel, and honey scents on perfume shelves. This year, though, gourmand scents will likely be a little more complex.

David Seth Moltz, perfumer and cofounder of D.S. & Durga, sees the trend expanding into a new territory that's less overly sweet and more savory or mature — for instance, a black-currant fragrance tempered with notes of jasmine rather than a blueberry-cupcake scent.

More specifically, sweet-potato scents could enter the zeitgeist.

Bryson Ammons, New York City-based perfumer and founder of The Alloy Studio, also expects to see an uptick of experimental scents that are both savory and sweet.

This year, Ammons thinks that perfumes inspired by decadent dishes like sweet-potato pie could take the fragrance world by storm.

One note he especially has his eye on is the Japanese sweet potato.

Clean, fresh scents are on the rise.

Alexis Grugeon, a Paris-based perfumer at Givaudan, predicts that clean, fresh scents — including bright citrus notes — will be everywhere in 2026.

Some perfumers initially expected this trend to peak during the COVID-19 pandemic, with consumers wanting to feel clean and grounded, said Grugeon.

However, its rise has been more gradual, with momentum building only recently. Now, she said, fragrances inspired by zingy citruses and fresh plants are gaining traction as consumers gravitate toward lighter, airier profiles.

Woodsy fragrances will continue to be everywhere, too.

When forecasting fragrance trends, perfumers often look around the world for cues — including the Middle East, where the fragrance market has been rapidly expanding, and richer, wood-forward scents have been incredibly popular, according to Grugeon.

Drawing on those influences, Grugeon predicts that woods like cedar, pine, and sandalwood will continue growing this year, especially expanding more prominently in the women's fragrance category.

Tropical fruits may have their moment.

Grugeon also predicts fruity fragrances will be popular in 2026.

Although strawberries and peaches are always cycling in and out of vogue, he predicts perfumers will increasingly look toward tropical fruits for inspiration.

Particularly, notes like banana and guava are gaining traction as customers become more adventurous, he told BI.

Florals will become lighter and less heady.

Floral fragrances aren't going anywhere, but they are evolving.

Rather than heady, overpowering bouquets, Grugeon sees a shift toward more transparent, easy-to-wear florals that feel lighter and more modern.

Specifically, he believes we'll see more gardenia and honeysuckle in 2026.

More people might start layering scents and choosing different perfumes for different moods.

As consumers become more well-versed in fragrance, layering scents could become even more popular, Moltz said.

For many consumers, mixing and matching fragrances can be an accessible, creative way to experiment with self-expression.

On a similar note, people might start creating and cycling through new combinations rather than sticking to a signature scent, Moltz added.