Fall Scents: What They Are and Why We Love Them

Written By: Andrea Zetino & Perfumer Expert Alina Gilwinska

In the article we cover …

• What are the best autumn scents?
• The science behind why we love autumn scents?
• How can I create a cozy autumn ritual at home?
• The importance of creating cozy rituals

Read Time: 5 Minutes

Ever wonder why you crave pumpkin spice in the fall and not in the summer? Why when leaves start to change colors you suddenly feel this urge to cancel plans and wrap yourself up in all things cozy?

Grab your fave seasonal drink and join us as we explain the science behind the scents we love (and why we love them) and get tips and tricks on how to stay cozy this season.

Plus, hear from Lush perfumer — the superstar behind some of this season’s scrumptious scents — Alina Gilwinska.

What are the best fall scents?

Pumpkin, vanilla and caramel all come to mind when we think of comfy fall fragrances; evoking images of pumpkin harvests, seasonal drinks, freshly baked goods and gorgeous fall foliage. It’s no wonder why we’ve made this trio the foundational notes of this year’s fall collection.

As Lush perfumer, Alina explains, “these notes represent more than just aroma — they embody ritual, warmth and emotional retreat.” 

Caramel

Rich and decadent, this gourmand scent is often associated with autumn, luxury, and feel-good vibes. Sweet and buttery, caramel adds a warm sumptuousness to your bath, shower or skincare routines. Explore caramel-scented products to sweet up your fall. 

Vanilla

The classic scent of vanilla is comforting, familiar, calming and often associated with nostalgia and a sense of emotional security. It’s versatile and can be both the star scent or just a subtle note layered with more robust fragrances. Check out our vanilla collection to find the perfect addition to your cozy fall routine.

Pumpkin

We know fall is all about pumpkin spice and everything nice, that’s why we’ve launched a new limited-edition pumpkin spice collection packed with all the seasonal notes you look forward to. Warm cloves, aromatic cinnamon, skin-softening pumpkin and spicy pepper warm your body, mind and soul and keep you comforted all season long. 

Maple

Earthy, grounding and sweet, maple is not only fabulous for your skin but can also transport you to a cozy cabin surrounded by maple trees and the warmth of a fireplace. Find maple products that speak to you here and add a bit of autumnal bliss. 

These iconic fall scents can also include gourmand fragrances of all kinds — scents that smell almost edible and frankly delicious — think chocolate cake, fresh herbs, honey, etc. 

If you want to learn more about gourmand scents, check out our article “The Secret to Smelling Edible”.

Why do we love fall scents?

Smelling (olfaction) is your nose taking in and interpreting airborne chemicals. Every time you breathe in, smells travel up your nasal cavity to your olfactory epithelium (the place responsible for your sense of smell). There, tiny nerve cells grab on to specific odors. Fun fact, humans have around 400 receptors while a small mouse can have almost 1200. 

These receptors can detect thousands of smells through mixing and matching the way you would a color wheel — the true number of smells a human being can perceive is still unknown. Once it’s been detected by the receptors in your olfactory, the smell is recognized and processed in your olfactory cortex to identify and interpret. 

Now if your sense of smell ended here then every scent you ever smelled would evoke no feelings or memories at all. Essentially turning your favorite aromas into flat sensory experiences. 

Luckily this isn't the case, from the cortex the smell travels to the amygdala (a part of your brain that plays a crucial role in processing emotions) and the hippocampus (the part that helps form new memories) linking everything in your limbic system.

All together, these bits and bobs are the reason we have emotional responses to smells.

Now that we know how scents are connected to memories and emotions, why do things like caramel inherently feel “fall” to us — what’s that about?

Over time we’ve learned to associate certain smells with seasons through habit and exposure. We create memories and subsequently emotional responses to certain stimuli. It’s why when pumpkin spice season arrives we get giddy with excitement because (not only does it smell amazing) it also represents a new chapter and season in our lives and prompts us to slow down from all the fun and excitement of summer. 

Weather also plays a big part in our need to sit back, relax and create cozy fall rituals. It encourages us to take a moment to reflect and wrap ourselves up in warm and grounding fragrances.

How can I create a cozy fall ritual at home?

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to create a cozy nook of lasting comforts:

Step 1:

Find a comfy spot. That could be your bed (we love a duvet session), your bathroom (our fave, of course) or your entire house. 

Step 2:

Think of the mood you want to create. Do you want your space to inspire you? Bring forth nostalgia? Calm and soothe or relax to revitalize?

Step 3:

Once your intentions are set, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and think about the fresh fragrances that would encourage your desired mindset.  

Step 4:

Find your ultimate fall fragrances! 

If you’re looking for some seasonal bliss to calm and comfort, we highly recommend the new Pumpkin Spice Scented Candle made with sweet and spicy notes and the golden warmth of carob resin — perfect for crisp fall days. This limited-edition candle leaves you feeling relaxed and at ease so please remember to never leave it unattended. 

Sticky Dates Aroma And Bath Melt will melt your heart and fill your space (or bath water) with creamy vanilla absolute and warm and woody sandalwood leaving an aroma of butterscotch bliss.

Step 5:

Layer your scents for a lasting ambiance. Every scent you add or take away will create a brand new experience to ultimately transport you to your happy place — it’s both a destination and a journey. 

Here’s a quick example of how to layer your routine:

For showers, start with a shower gel (preferably one with spicy notes) like Pumpkin Spice Latte Shower Gel or Lord Of Misrule Shower Gel and lead with its visceral notes. They’ll gently linger on your skin and fragrance the air after you're done. 

For a bath, try spicing things up with Pumpkin Spice And Everything Nice bubbles.

Next, add a bit of gourmand goodness to soften your scent profile. Spritz on Sticky Dates Body Spray’s sweet caramel notes or try Chelsea Morning Perfume for a butterscotch-scented delight. 

Lastly, seal it all with a vegan candle made with ethically sourced essential oils and a natural wax base. Crème Brûlée Candle offers dreamy notes of vanilla and sweet tonka.

If these recommendations aren’t calling your name, no worries! Explore the full collection to find the right balance for you. 

Learn more about scent layering here. 

The importance of cozy rituals

Cozy routines are deeply personal experiences that can help you nourish not only your skin but your soul as well. Whether they’re big or small, we all need (and deserve) quality self-care moments to help reconnect with ourselves and slow down life’s fast pace. 

Mix and match to your heart's desire to create yours and discover scents worth staying in for. 

Shop the cozy season collection here.

Get gourmand goodies here.

Find fragrances for your home here. 

Explore the new Halloween collection here.