We may earn commission from links on this page. Each product featured has been vetted and chosen by our editors.
Our favorite scents for summertime also help support the planet with sustainable missions in both their ingredients and packaging. Scroll through for our virtual mood board of fragrances that evoke everything we love about summer, from tropical vacations to sun-soaked citrus.
Ellis Brooklyn Miami Nectar
Escape to South Florida with this bright, citrus-floral perfume, which has an EcoScent Compass AAA rating [more on this below]. Key notes are pink pineapple, coconut water, palm leaves, plumeria, salted woods and vanilla. “I love that it smells so fun and hedonistic, but it’s also very intelligently composed. It’s both brains and bombshell,” says founder and CEO Bee Shapiro. “We utilize seven upcycled ingredients in this scent. Upcycled ingredients are those that would have otherwise been waste. One is an ambery-cedarwood note called anthamber. It’s extracted from the paper industry, where softwoods are used to manufacture cardboard. It gives the fragrance a grounding base note.”
But what is the aforementioned EcoScent Compass AAA rating? “EcoScent Compass was created by dsm-firmenich in 2018 as a first-in-the-industry, innovative eco-fragrance design tool that allows perfumers to integrate circular, sustainable, socially responsible ingredients into the creation of new fragrances,” says Michal Benmayor, head of perfumery innovation and sustainability at dsm-firmenich. “The rating system ranks each step of the process on a scale of A to E, with A representing the lowest sustainable impact. When a final fragrance formulation receives an AAA rating, that means it has been created using the most sustainable and socially responsible standards possible given current, available data.”
By/Rosie Jane Missy
The brand calls this citrus-floral scent “happiness in a bottle,” inspired by “best friends, uncomplicated things and the feeling of pure joy.” Key notes include green mandarin, coconut, pineapple and frangipani. “By/Rosie Jane takes pride in using ingredients that are responsibly sourced. We select them based on quality and sustainability,” says founder Rosie Jane Johnston. “For this fragrance, we used certified organic ingredients when possible, including organic sugarcane alcohol and organic fractionated coconut oil. It was handmixed in LA using essential oils, absolutes, nature identicals and fragrance oils.”
Elysian Island Muse
When a tropical vacation just isn’t in the cards, spray this fragrance, close your eyes and you’ll be transported to one. Key notes include bay water, citrus, coconut, lime, mandarin, hibiscus, vanilla musk and wood. Also, it’s an extrait de parfum, which offers a longer lasting and more intense scent compared to traditional eau de parfums. “In the production of the fragrances, specifically in the bottling process, the utensil to fill bottles is called a pipette. These are typically made of plastic and thrown away after one use,” says founder Jessi Park. “We use pipettes that can be sanitized and reused. We are conscientious of using single-use plastics. Additionally, our ingredients are vegan and come from sustainably sourced crops and extracted oils.”
L’OBJET Kérylos
An ultra-luxe ode to the Mediterranean and its rich history and culture, this citrusy-aromatic fragrance bottles the natural beauty of the coastline. Key notes include yuzu, grapefruit, galbanum, santal and white musk. “Our packaging is 95-percent recyclable, using a glass bottle, a wood cap and a paper box,” says Elad Yifrach, founder and creative director of L’OBJET. “The paper we use in our packaging is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This is an organization that certifies that a paper is made of responsibly sourced wood fiber.”
Molton Brown Sunlit Clementine & Vetiver
Inspired by “the natural joy that clementines evoke,” this is a zesty, feel-good, citrus-woody eau de parfum. Key notes are clementine, mandarin, iris absolute and bourbon vetiver, and both men and women will love it. “Bourbon vetiver is from Madagascar and has a uniquely smokier scent compared to the more widely used Haitian variant,” says Julie Massé, senior perfumer at MANE. “Our fragrance house MANE collaborated with farmers to grow the organic vetiver sustainably. They are also working on a project to convert waste from the vetiver distillation process into compost or fuel for powering the distillery.” The bottle is made of 50-percent recycled plastic, too.
Leland Francis Pomelo Sensual
If you like citrus-floral scents, but want one that’s a little more earthy and grounded, this is the eau de parfum to try. Imagine laying in a citrus grove and having the breeze send whiffs of flowers from a nearby garden your way. Key notes are grapefruit, bergamot, rose, geranium, sandalwood, vetiver and frankincense. “We prioritize the harmony of pure and conscious ingredients, including organic sugarcane alcohol,” says founder Dillon Peña. “Pomelo Sensual is a testament to our commitment to ethical luxury, nurturing your senses while respecting the planet. Our dedication extends to our packaging, with each box made from recycled paper and free of lamination.”
