Milk Fragrances Are the New Vanilla—Here’s Why

As a fragrance enthusiast through and through, I love a gourmand perfume as much as the next person. Under the wide umbrella of food-inspired scents, there’s a sweet spread of mouthwatering notes that give them their aromatic appeal. Chocolate! Vanilla! Caramel! Practically any ingredient that goes into a freshly baked dessert is up for grabs—but I never quite expected that we perfumeheads would be seeking out scents that smell like the warm glass of milk. And yet, here we are. Yep, the cozy, creamy kind that usually plays sidekick to your cookie is now the main event. And somehow, it totally works.

It’s no secret that fragrance holds the power to make us feel. The more we crave comfort in our daily lives, the more we reach for perfumes that evoke that feeling via scent. Although milk perfumes typically involve actual notes of creamy milk contrasted by musky, woody or floral accords, what Dedcool founder Carina Chaz believes we’re really looking for in a lactonic scent is something that wears like a warm, familiar hug.

“Milk, in the fragrance world, has this nostalgic, soothing quality that makes you feel grounded,” explains Chaz—who has launched several milk-scented spritzers through Dedcool. “Right now, there’s a real love for anything that feels familiar or edible but done in a way that is still elevated and wearable. ‘Milk’ means different things for different brands, but the throughline is always comfort.”

No spoiled dairy here, just feel-good, lactonic fragrances that anyone can wear anywhere. “There’s something so personal about a scent that melts into your skin. Milky fragrances do that—they’re soft, subtle, and blend beautifully with your body chemistry,” she says.

Curious about the milk perfume wave? Scroll on to shop the best bottles making dairy downright chic—from Dedcool’s latest launch to the viral spritzes redefining gourmand.

Dedcool Mochi Milk

Expanding upon Dedcool’s signature Milk fragrance family, the brand’s new Mochi Milk scent has officially hit Sephora Canada shelves. Sweetened with peach nectar and fluffly marshmallow notes, this dessert-inspired eau de parfum presents a fresh take on classic lactonic perfumes. “We focused more on subtle rice milk, soft vanilla, and a skin-like warmth that feels cozy without leaning too traditional or expected,” Chaz tells FASHION.

Giardini di Toscana Bianco Latte

Perfumetok‘s reigning milk fragrance? Hands down, Giardini di Toscana’s viral Bianco Latte Eau de Parfum. Translating to “white milk” in English, this niche gem of a scent is a yummy blend of caramel, honey, vanilla and white musk notes. Needless to say, it’s a total compliment magnet.

Phlur Heavy Cream

Blending the sugary aromas of vanilla mousse, salted caramel and whipped cream with the light freshness of citrus fruits, Phlur’s Heavy Cream Hair & Body Fragrance Mist is a gourmand perfume lover’s fantasy. Spritz it on from head to toe to leave a delicious trail of confectionery goodness everywhere you go.

Lush Super Milk

The saccharine smell of Lush’s viral Super Milk Conditioning Hair Primer went *so* viral, the brand has since launched a new glitter mist body spray of the same scent. An addictive swirl of candy-coconut, creamy vanilla, citrusy biscuits, and almond, it’s no wonder this famous fragrance demanded its own SKU. Everyone say, ‘thank you, Lush!'

Maison Margiela Replica Afternoon Delight

Decadent and milky, Maison Margiela Replica’s Afternoon Delight Eau de Toilette smells like the inside of a pastry-filled Parisian café on a busy Sunday morning. One spritz wraps you in comforting notes of whipped Madagascar vanilla, warm sandalwood, and a delicious madeleine accord.

Commodity Milk-

The lightest version of Commodity’s iconic Milk fragrance trio (there’s also Milk and Milk+), Milk- opens up with warm marshmallow and milk notes, followed by skin musk at its core, and amber in the dry down. If you’re looking to shop a softer milk perfume that leans more subtle than sweet, this may just be your new signature scent.

Ellis Brooklyn Vanilla Milk

Formulated to smell even better upon interacting with body heat, Ellis Brooklyn’s Vanilla Milk Eau de Parfum borrows from two types of vanilla extracts and a creamy milk accord to give it that comforting quality we look for in lactonic perfumes. Simultaneously, white floral and upcycled cocoa shell notes offer a sophisticated twist.