Mood-Boosting Body Care: How 'Scent Layering' Can Totally Transform Your Shower Routine
Whether you're looking to kick up your confidence or find your zen, there's a scent combo here for you.
My morning and evening showers are the most important parts of my self care routine. For starters, they’re one of the few times I ever get to be totally alone with my thoughts. More than that, though, the multi-sensory experience that comes along with massaging my scalp, scrubbing my skin, and shaving my legs until I’m silky smooth allows me to connect with my body and practice some major self compassion.
The final step in the process is applying lotion, which is something I never did until fairly recently. I always hated the goopy feel of products that never seemed to sink into my skin, and found that while drugstore products worked more effectively than their luxury counterparts, they never seemed to smell nearly as good.
In the last few years, though, body care has gotten a better-smelling boost. These days, my favorite post-shower (and, TBH, in-shower) body products not only help to hydrate my skin, but they also play a central role in my mood-boosting functional fragrance routine.
"Functional fragrances" are scents that have mood-enhancing properties—think: a perfume you sniff to calm you down or to help wake you up in the morning. And while it's great to get those benefits on your initial inhale, it's even *better* if you can get them all day... which is where the body care piece of the puzzle comes in.
“You don’t need to rely on perfumes alone to build your scent collection,” says Funmi Monet, a perfumer who's lovingly known as "TikTok's favorite fragrance auntie" and owns 500+ perfumes of her own.
“Soaps, lotions, and body oils can be great scent carriers," she adds, which means they enhance their aroma and staying power.
In other words, not only can the process of applying a functionally-fragranced body care routine give you a mini-mental health moment at some point in your day (especially if double it as a little self massage), but the right products will keep you feeling your best for hours after the fact.
The beauty of mood-boosting body care
If you’ve read some of my previous posts, you already know that scent is the sense that’s most closely linked to emotion. This means that applying a nice-smelling product after you shower can greatly impact how you feel throughout the day and night.
“Fragrance can be such a powerful resource in channeling or manifesting energies in our day-to-day routines,” says Monet. “And having a scent wardrobe, so-to-speak, allows you to unlock that.”
This sentiment (and the fact that there are finally lotions on the market that I genuinely want to use) has totally transformed my personal body care routine. To awaken my brain in the morning, I typically layer on energizing, citrusy scents. When I'm stressed out, I reach for comforting scents that make me feel like I'm wrapped in a warm hug. And when I want to feel sexy, I've got an entire laundry list of sensuous body products in my wardrobe.
Not only do the moments I spend applying these products feel like much-needed self love, but smelling them on my skin throughout the day serves as a reminder to continue to be kind to myself.
Mastering the art of scent layering
The feel-good aspects aren’t the only reasons why it’s worth starting to think of your body care products as part of your personal scent profile. When you layer a lotion and an oil on top of a body wash, it enhances the scent absorption of all three products—which means they smell stronger and last longer on your skin.
Dry skin tends to absorb fragrances quickly and causes them to evaporate faster, and the hydration that comes from lotions and oils enhances absorption and helps scent molecules stay put. These products also create a thin barrier on the skin, which traps fragrances and prevents them from dissipating as quickly as they normally would.
Of course, a three (or more!) step fragrance routine requires quite a bit of perfume wizardry—and there are a few things Monet recommends keeping in mind when you’re trying to create your perfect combination.
“The first step is by having a fresh base, which starts in the shower. I recommend cleansing with a richly-scented bar soap or body wash, like this one from Caress, which provides a subtle fragrance that lingers on the skin for hours,” she says. “From there, you can start to get creative with a secondary layer of lotions or body oils, followed by perfumes and mists.”
When it comes to actual scents, your best bet is to look for products with complementary scent profiles. This means picking a category based on how you want to feel, and sticking with a few cohesive notes throughout your routine. Of course, you can always make things easier on yourself and use the same scent for every step (like Phlur’s Tangerine Boy collection, which includes a body wash, lotion, and spritz), but there’s something to be said about crafting a personalized signature scent cocktail.
For me, experimenting with scented body-care has become something I genuinely look forward to in my post-shower routine, and I hope you feel inspired to do the same. To get you started, here are some of my favorite fragrance combos to meet your every mood.
The best body care scent combinations to boost every mood
Energized
Citrus: Uplifting and refreshing
By/Rosie Jane Wake the F*ck Up Body Wash, $28
This body wash does exactly what it promises: Wakes you the f*ck up. It pairs its citrus notes with eucalyptus and geranium to spice up and soften their effects so that you aren’t walking around smelling like a grapefruit.
Isle of Paradise Brilliantly Bright Body Polish Scrub, $28
Scrubbing your skin boosts circulation, which can be particularly helpful for waking up both your mind and body first thing in the morning. This brightening scrub contains vitamin C and niacinamide to really make your skin look radiant, and gets its invigorating scent from grapefruit, orange, and pineapple.
Josie Maran Sweet Citrus Whipped Argan Oil Firming Body Butter, $62
This body butter brings together two of the most brain-awakening citrus notes—grapefruit and lemon verbena—in an argan oil base that’s deeply hydrating. And, ICYWW, there’s no need to invest in the tub—I use the refill pouches on their own, and happen to find them really fun.
Ellis Brooklyn SUN Hair and Body Mist, $48
“Solar” scents, like this one, are meant to deliver the same energizing effects as the actual sun. In this case, the fragrance is made up of bright citrus and soft floral notes that stimulate your senses and boost your mood.
Awakened
Eucalyptus: Boosts mental clarity and reduces anxiety
Green tea: Enhances focus and alertness
Sage: Grounding, balancing, and energizing
Nécessaire The Body Wash Eucalyptus, $35
For those who prefer to steer clear of citrus scents (I get it!), herb-y aromas can also offer the same energizing benefits. This nourishing wash from Nécessaire heroes eucalyptus, which boosts mental clarity while also calming anxiety. It’s my go-to when I’m super stressed out and have a big day ahead, or when I’m running on minimal sleep.
Tatcha Forest Awakening Hinoki Body Scrub, $34
Tatcha’s Forest Awakening line was modeled after the Japanese practice of Shinrin- Yoku, or “forest bathing.” The idea is that spending time in nature has calming and restorative effects on the brain, and science says it’s legit. The scrub combines woody, earthy aromatherapy notes of hinoki, shiso leaf, cedarwood, and pine to trigger relaxation and enhance cognitive focus. Plus, it boosts circulation, which gets your body energized to start the day.
Youth to the People Superfood Hand and Body Lotion, $48
Sniffing green tea will give you *almost* the same boost as sipping it, and this lotion heroes the herbaceous note. Kale brings a slight green earthiness into the mix, which will help you feel grounded ahead of a long day.
Jo Malone Wild Sage & Sea Salt Cologne, $118
The sea salt top notes in this scent are meant to evoke the same energizing feeling you get from getting spritzed while standing by the ocean, and for that alone I am obsessed with it. Sage is famous for its ability to be both calming and energizing at the same time, and gives the perfume a nice herbaceous center that feels slightly masculine and kind of sexy. The amberette seed at the bottom adds a little bit of coziness—like I’m standing by that ocean in a pilly sweatshirt instead of a bikini—and a touch of citrus brings the same joy as the first sight of the sun peaking out from behind the clouds.
Bold + Sexy
Patchouli: Deep and seductive
Exotic florals: Mysterious and intriguing
Wood: Strong and sensual
Spice: Warm and intense
Caress Black Orchid and Patchouli Oil Body Wash, $17
This body wash has the type of scent depth you don’t typically find in a drugstore product. It combines earthy, floral, and exotic notes for a profile that’s bold and sexy. Better yet? It’s got an oil to foam format that offers major hydration to leave skin silky-smooth for date night
Narciso Rodriguez for Her Body Lotion, $45
The black orchid in this lotion highlights the black orchid in the body wash, but brings it to an even sexier level with its smooth, powdery finish. If I’m being honest, this step is all about the scent—Narciso for Her isn’t going to deliver much on the skin-softness front. My recommendation is to start with something powerful and unscented (you can’t go wrong with Cerave Moisturizing Cream) and then layer this on top.
Tom Ford Black Orchid Body Spray, $65
For one last hit of orchid, spritz on Tom Ford’s Black Orchid Body Oil Spray. The oil will lock the scent into your skin and enhance its power and longevity, while also adding just a hint of wood and spice to your final sexy smell.
Feminine + Sexy
Vanilla: Soft and comforting, evokes confidence and femininity
Sweet almonds: Delicate and nourishing
Salted caramel and sugar: Sweet and indulgent
L’Occitane Cleansing & Softening Almond Shower Oil, $45
For me, sometimes feeling sexy isn’t about being drenched in bold florals—it’s about smelling ultra-feminine. In these moments, I start my routine with this shower oil, which smells just slightly of sweet almond and leaves skin insanely soft.
Ouai Scalp and Body Scrub, $40
This is one of my desert island beauty products because it knocks it out of the park in terms experience and effectiveness (plus, it’s one of the few scrubs that doesn’t clog my drain). The sugar crystals feel incredible on the skin (and leave it soooooo soft), and the elevated fruit-floral scent is truly an all-time favorite.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, $48
Sure, Brazillian Bum Bum Cream promises to leave skin brighter and tighter, but I mostly love it for its scent. It’s got notes of pistachio, vanilla, and salted caramel, which somehow come together in an elevated way—it doesn’t leave you smelling like dessert, but it *does* give off a “good enough to eat” effect.
Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil, $40
I'm a big believer that slathering your skin in any slightly-shimmery body oil is enough to make you feel sexy, but this Tom Ford option takes it one step further to make you smell sexy too.
Calm
Vetiver: Grounding and stress reducing
Woods: Evokes feelings of being outdoors to promote mental clarity and calmness
Frankincense: Known for meditative and grounding properties that reduce stress and anxiety
Calendula: Soothes the senses
Bathing Culture Cathedral Mind and Body Wash, $36
This is a great body wash to use when you want to feel more grounded. Earthy, slightly spicy scents—like vetiver, pine, balsam, and frankincense—are paired with calming ylang ylang to deliver stress-relieving properties. Inhaling the forest-y aroma feels like you’re taking a big breath of fresh air in the best possible way.
Herbivore Botanicals Amethyst Exfoliating Body Polish, $46
The itty-bitty crystals in this body polish are gritty and gentle at the same time, and for me, the feeling of massaging the scrub into my skin is stress-relieving enough all on its own. From a scent standpoint, though, it contains lavender and sandalwood—two of the most zen-inducing notes money can buy.
Weleda Skin Food Body Butter, $17
This ultra-thick body butter is a fan-favorite for its hydrating abilities, but don’t let those outshine its calming effects. It’s got calendula, ylang ylang, and a slight hint of rosemary for a scent that’s equal parts grounding and uplifting.
Sleepy
Lavender: Calming and sleep-inducing
Ylang Ylang: Calms the mind and promotes relaxation
Chamomile: Reduces stress and tension
Musk: Relaxes the body and mind
Aveeno Stress Relief Body Wash, $10
This affordable body wash addresses stress on two fronts. It targets stressed skin with oat flour, and calms mental stress with notes of lavender, ylang ylang, and chamomile. Plus, it offers a super gentle lathering experience that’s really sensorially pleasing after a long day.
Neom Magnesium Body Butter, $38
It’s great to use a body butter overnight, because these types of products create a solid barrier that prevents moisture from evaporating from your skin while you sleep. This one contains magnesium, which *may* have a sleep-inducing effect when applied topically (though, the jury’s still out on whether that’s legit). It’s scented with a blend of 14 aromatherapy oils designed to promote sleep, and a whole lot of skin-nourishing oils that simply feel amazing.
J.R. Watkins Sleep Body Oil Mist, $15
There’s a lot to love about this sleep-inducing oil. The lavender scent isn’t overpowering (I’m honestly not the biggest fan of the note to begin with), and pairs beautifully with lighter florals like monoi, rose, and lily of the valley. It’s all grounded in a base of coconut milk and musk, and sinks into the skin in a way that feels natural and not overly fragranced. A little bit goes a long way here, and the spray-on format means you’ll never have to get in bed feeling overly slick and greasy.
Fun
Bright florals: Playful, airy, and joy-inducing
Fruits and tropical notes: Youthful, refreshing, and exciting
Citrus: Energizes and evokes happiness
Pink pepper: Vibrant and lively
Philosophy Amazing Grace Hydrating Bath & Shower Gel, $34
Call me cliché, but to this day I still use Philosophy’s Amazing Grace when I want to feel my most fun and flirty (probably because it’s what I used in college, when my nana introduced me to my first bottle via a QVC shipment). I love the playful combination of rose, lychee, and peony, which is fruity and floral in a way that still feels grown up.
First Aid Beauty - KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub, $38
I never ever would have thought I’d be recommending a strawberry-scented body product, but hear me out on this one. The First Aid KP Scrub smells like the berry in a way that feels fresh-from-the-farmstand, not synthetic, and frankly it’s intoxicating. I also love how effective it is at getting bumps off of my skin (read: pimples and acne scarring off my tush), which helps boost my confidence before a big night out.
Sol de Janeiro Visibly Brightening and Smoothing Bom Dia AHA Body Cream, $45
What can I say? Sol de Ja Neiro makes good scents. This one is fruity and bright in a way that—once again—doesn’t make me feel like a tween, but does boost my mood. Applying this to my skin while blasting Ke$ha (I’m stuck in 2010 in more ways than one) is my all-time favorite way to get ready to go out.
An oldie but a goodie, my dedication to Glossier You is almost a decade strong. I love the light fruity-floral top notes, and that the musky base leaves my skin smelling like itself but totally enhanced. Spritzing myself with this scent will always mentally transport me to my early 20s in New York.
Confident
Sandalwood: Empowering
Vetiver: Grounding and stabalizing
Amber: Promotes strength and confidence
Citrus: Enhances alertness, keeps you feeling "fresh"
Spice: Has a bold, assertive effect on a fragrance to make you feel more in control
Le Labo Santal 33 Perfuming Shower Gel, $65
Snagging a Le Labo Body wash is by far the most affordable way to work the brand’s power scent—iconic Santal 33—into your routine (belive it or not, $63 is less than half the price of the actual perfume). Its woody, spicy notes give an air of power and authority that make you feel totally grounded and in control. And—for me at least—lathering up the luxe scent makes me feel #rich (even when my bank account begs to differ).
Augustinus Bader The Body Cream, $190
Sticking with the theme of “rich lady power scents,” the Augustinus Bader Body Cream is pure quiet luxury (case in point: Victoria Beckham is an ambassador for the brand). It works wonders on dry skin and signs of aging, and has a whole bunch of science to back up its truly transformative abilities. It has a light herbal scent that pairs well with other, stronger confidence-boosting notes, and will have you stepping into your day with your best skin forward.
Empowering vetiver and amber get an even bigger confidence boost from middle notes of citrus and spice, which awaken the senses and will make you feel ready to tackle anything.
Happy
While certain notes, like jasmine and bergamot, can have an uplifting effect, there's no one-size-fits-all for happiness-inducing fragrance. The scents that will best boost your mood are the ones that evoke happy memories, but here are a my personal (beach-vacation-inspired) favorites to give you some ideas.
Saltair Golden Hour Infused Body Wash, $18
You already know my feelings about body glitter, so it’s no wonder my favorite happiness-inducing wash comes with a subtle shimmer. Its scent was inspired by a sunny day at the beach (which, FWIW, is my personal happy place), and notes of pineapple, coconut and sunflower mentally transport me to a vacation destination without making me smell like a pina colada.
By/Rosie Jane Missy Everyday Body Milk, $28
Another beach-inspired scent, this lotion also delivers tropical vibes with notes of green mandarin, coconut, pineapple, and frangipani. It’s happiness in a bottle, and any time I wear it I can’t stop sniffing my skin.
Phlur Ameline Fine Fragrance, $119
To counteract the admittedly sweet scents in the rest of this routine, I like to finish things off walking through a cloud of Phlur’s Ameline. It opens with bright, citrusy notes of bergamot and pink pepper that deliver a burst of happiness, and the rose and sandalwood give things a grounded, slightly feminine finish. Together, the three products bring you a perfect balance of freshness and warmth that’s sure to induce joy for you and anyone else who smells you.