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We all know that the key to having a good night’s sleep is clean bedding, the perfect room temperature and great air quality. However, did you know that you can fall asleep faster by spritzing some perfume before bedtime?
Research shows that perfume has the power to significantly affect your mood, reduce stress, and relax your muscles, which are all things you want before going to bed.
So, to help you fall asleep faster, MattressNextDay enlisted the expertise of Eudora Nwasike, a Certified Fragrance Specialist for EON Fragrances to uncover the best scents for falling asleep…
What are the six scents to help you fall asleep faster?
1. Neroli
Eudora explains that neroli is an “airy citrusy green with hints of honey and orange, and is well- known for easing stress, stabilising blood pressure, and alleviating sleeping problems.”
Neroli is also known for promoting a relaxed and slightly hypnotic feeling. It can be a helpful catalyst for lucid dreaming and sparking creativity.
Perfume recommendations: Tom Ford – Neroli Portofino Acqua (£100.00) or L’Occitane – Néroli & Orchidée (£60.00)
2. Lavender
Of all the sleeping scents, the calming powers of lavender are well-known for lulling people into a peaceful slumber. So much so that many people purchase pillow sprays in this scent. Eudora explains that “this is because it has sedative properties.”
Further studies have shown that lavender can improve sleep quality and lower anxiety as effectively as a low dose of the sedative, Lorazepam. Our article on the top natural sleep supplements for sleep can give you further information on how lavender helps you drift off at night.
Perfume recommendations: Jo Malone Amber & Lavender Cologne (£115.00) or Yves Saint Laurent Libre (£52.00)
3. Ylang-Ylang
This tropical tree is native to Asian countries and has similar benefits to lavender oil. So, if you're looking for a scent to help you sleep but don't like the smell of lavender, it makes the perfect alternative.
Another study found that ylang ylang reduced anxiety and boosted self-esteem when it was applied to the skin. This makes it perfect for those who are wanting a good night’s sleep. Or to feel more confident in the bed for other reasons...
Perfume recommendations: Chanel N°5 (£99.00) or DIOR J’adore (£116.45)
4. Rose
Research shows that the scent of roses is naturally relaxing, and potentially helpful for relieving your stress levels. However, most surprising of all – the rose scent is shown to help improve your learning while you’re sleeping. According to Amra Beganovich, a lifestyle blogger and the founder of the PR agency, Amra & Elma, rose is the perfect bedtime fragrance for those who are studying.
Perfume recommendations: DIOR Rose ‘N Roses (£90.95) or Marc Jacobs Daisy (£40.00)
5. Sandalwood
Eudora explains that “the soft, woodiness of sandalwood has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat mental and physical disorders which include anxiety, fatigue, high blood pressure, insomnia, and more”.
Psychology Today also states that sandalwood can have sedative effects, reduce wakefulness and increase amounts of non-REM sleep.
Perfume recommendations: BYREDO Blanche (£140.00) or LUSH dirty (£50.00).
6. Chamomile
This member of the daisy plant has the profound power to improve a person’s sleep quality and reduce anxiety, which explains why many people drink chamomile tea before their bedtime - check out our article on the best sleep-enhancing teas for more information.
However, Eudora explains that a perfumed version can still improve the quality of your sleep. “The warm herbaceous element with apple and sweet tobacco undertones means that it can be used as a fragrance. It can help to soothe your nervous system and prepare for bed.”
Perfume recommendations: GUCCI Mémoire (£114.00) or Calvin Klein Escape (£37.50)
How does wearing perfume help you fall asleep faster?
Eudora explains:
The Olfactory bulb, which is the front part of the brain which controls smell, sends information to the amygdala and hippocampus parts of your brain. These are the regions of the brain that are responsible for emotion and memory, so whenever we smell a scent for the first time or repeatedly, it stimulates the primitive parts of our memory.
The essential oil in perfumes soothes the mind, relaxes the body, and reduces stress levels. However, it is important to always use the same fragrance in your bedtime routine because this helps your brain, senses, and body to make a connection with the familiar scent.
Rebecca Lockwood, a Hypnosis and Positive Psychology Coach further explains this:
What you are doing is anchoring and training your brain to associate the smell with a certain feeling. You are installing this into your brain through your neural networks and your senses, so that the next time you come to smell that scent, it will trigger the feeling of calmness subconsciously.
For more tips on improving your sleep, check out our guide on how to reset your body clock in three nights or even the strangest TikTok hacks to falling asleep. Or you can get to grips with how to choose the right mattress for that all-important good night's rest.
