How To Pick A Cologne That'll Work Like An Aphrodisiac (2024)

How To Pick A Cologne That'll Work Better Than Any Aphrodisiac

Ahmed Zambarakji

March 27, 2017

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With additions by Cole Cooper.

Were you shortsighted enough to consider the ads featured on a lesser men’s resource, you’d be fooled into thinking that a pheromone spray could transform you from dud to stud with nothing more than a quick spritz. For those who have never come across the term before, pheromones are the chemicals that animals use to attract a partner whenever they need to mate. Animals don’t have to worry about personal grooming, first dates or awkward small talk; they just get a whiff of a mate’s pheromones and the deal is sealed.

We’ve seen pheromones used in the animal kingdom for a variety of reasons: They allow others to follow a food trail, they can mark territory, bond mother to child and even tell female insects where to lay their eggs. There are several different kinds of pheromones, but the ones we’re interested in (perhaps unsurprisingly) are the ones capable of triggering sexual arousal.

The evidence of pheromones in hom*o sapiens, however, is inconclusive. There are a couple of interesting studies out there that suggest we may very well operate similarly to animals. One study showed that a specific compound in the extract from a woman’s armpit causes other ladies’ menstrual cycles to fall into sync. Similarly, nursing infants are driven by scent molecules to turn to their mother’s breast, rather than just any boob.

These are all good indicators that pheromones may be at work, but scientists haven’t been able to identify the exact chemical barcode for a compound that will elicit sexual behavior quite the same way it does with animals.

We are hugely complex creatures who depend on a whole host of psychological and emotional factors to get our mojo up and running. There are visual clues, quirks, fetishes, scenarios, physical preferences and so on.

But no matter where you stand on the pheromone debate, one thing is guaranteed: As humans, we unconsciously respond to the way other people smell. Always.

Scent conjures emotional memories in a completely involuntary and automatic way. If you’ve ever caught a whiff of an ex-girlfriend’s perfume years after you broke up, you’ll know what I mean: You’re somehow transported to that exact moment in time.

The reason for this is that the olfactory system (which registers smell) is directly wired to the limbic system, the brain’s emotional memory bank, where all the happiness, sorrow, fear, pleasure and anger from our past is stored. Anatomically speaking, the olfactory and limbic systems are neighbors, so the slightest hint of a particular scent can elicit an automatic response in us with very little processing.

Compare this to our sense of touch. You feel something with your hand and the information has to go through a bazillion sensory neurons before the brain can register the message (“the stove is hot,” “the fabric is smooth”). Smell is instant and impactful and affects our behavior in ways we can’t always explain.

As we grow up, we collect information about scent and retain it all. Much like a hard drive, the human brain can store anywhere from 2,000 to 4,000 scent memories. And since our individual experiences of life are so varied, it follows that no one scent is going to work like an aphrodisiac on all women or on all men — another person’s response depends entirely on the emotional filter through which they “decode” a smell. Vanilla might conjure up sensual memories of warmth and safety in one person but remind the next of that time they fell into a diabetic shock.

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There are some notoriously desirable men’s colognes out there that are a surefire bet when it comes to wooing a potential mate. And, while they don’t contain pheromones, they do contain that crucial “animal” quality that’s capable of triggering our deepest, most primitive desires.

Best Selling Fragrances

Nautica Voyage

How To Pick A Cologne That'll Work Like An Aphrodisiac (1)
With a fresh, airy and masculine scent, it’s no wonder that the Nautica Voyage cologne is the number one bestseller on Amazon. This cologne has notes of green leaf, apple, drenched mimosa, cedarwood, water lotus and even more incredible ingredients. The mixture of light scents like water lotus combined with masculine notes like cedarwood will have you smelling like man who lives by the beach. Who doesn’t love that?
$19.29 at Amazon.com

Le Male By Jean Paul Gaultier

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Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier is manly and warm, and will make you smell luxurious even when you’re not feeling luxurious. The scent’s notes of refreshing lavender will bring a subtle and fresh earthy smell while the vanilla tones bring out that warmth, making you perfect for cuddling up next to. Be the man someone wants to cuddle with.
$71.00 at Nordstrom.com

Versace Pour Homme

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Versace Pour Homme by Versace is one of the best go-to colognes for any man. The stronger notes are from different citruses, mostly related to the orange. The citrus top notes make a sharper smell, standing out just enough to be noticed. The medium and base notes of geranium, sage, musk and amber bring this cologne full circle, giving a robust, masculine spin on a fruit-forward scent.
$43.53 at Amazon.com

Lacoste Eau de Lacoste

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Eau de Lacoste by Lacoste is the pure and elegant scent you need when going out for a night on the town, party or swanky event. Clean grapefruit contrasts with masculine suede while the pure tuberose ties them together in a manly mix of freshness. Sensual and refined, this cologne is a classic you should always have when you want to add an extra touch of elegance.
$59.00 at Amazon.com

Niche Fragrances

Hugh Parsons Kings Road

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Kings Road Eau de Parfum by Hugh Parsons is a royal spray for a royal man. With a mix of grapefruit, currant buds, bergamot, lavender and rosemary, this cologne is smooth and not overly spicy or aromatic. This long-lasting scent will make sure you smell like a king all day.
$69.90 at Amazon.com

Frederic Malle Cologne Indelebile

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Cologne Indelebile by Frederic Malle contains top notes of bergamot and lemon, making it a more distinctive citrus smell. The narcissus, orange blossom, neroli and musk notes give this cologne more depth so it isn’t overpowering. And guess what? This scent is unisex, so watch out! The women in your life might steal it. It smells that good.
$220.00 at Amazon.com

Odori Eau De Toilette

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Smell just like Florence, Italy with Odori by Spigo. Inspired by Florence, this cologne combines rich notes of cedar, lemon, lavender, bergamot, amber, vanilla and sage. The zest of citrus, the warmth of vanilla and the earthiness of lavender and sage produce an incredible smelling co*cktail you wouldn’t expect. For a surprise scent that delights any palette, choose this cologne.
$92.08 at Amazon.com

Par 4 By Detaille For Men

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Whether you love to golf or not, Par 4 by Detaille is a cologne worth buying. Unique notes come out of this cologne like labdanum resin and saffron. It’s aromatic and woody with other notes like thyme, t-tree and clary sage. Par 4 is a vibrant, sensual and masculine fragrance. Get this if you’re looking for quality.
$75.00 at Amazon.com

Subtle Fragrances

St James Of London Cedarwood

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Love the smell of the outdoors? Then you’ll go crazy over this St James of London Cedarwood and Clary Sage cologne. This fragrance has notes of spicy pepper, sweet bay rose, fresh geranium and Atlas Cedar, enhancing the earthy tones. What’s even better? This cologne is 100% natural, alcohol-free, paraben-free and sulfate-free. Let St James of London give you an incredible, understated smell that’ll last all day.
$40.00 at Amazon.com

Drifter Men's Solid Cologne

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Colognes don’t always have to be in liquid form. The Drifter solid cologne by Ulio&Jack might have you never spraying on cologne again. This dry mixture is made with jojoba oil, shea butter, beeswax and and phthalate-free fragrance oil. The scent comes off with notes of cardamom and mandarin on top of more subtle sandalwood, clove and leather. A seriously great-smelling competitor to the liquid cologne world.
$24.00 at Amazon.com

L'Occitane Lavender Eau de Cologne

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The L’Occitane Lavender Eau de Cologne is the perfect subtle cologne you’ve been looking for. The lavender combines with citrus for a light, breezy scent. Underlying those is a woody, musky base that captures the smell of summer sunshine of of Haute-Provence, France. Don’t be overpowering. Stick with something that everyone will love when they lean in close.
$58.00 at Amazon.com

Montblanc Legend Eau de Toilette

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To be a legend, you need to smell like a legend. And how do you do that? Well, with Legend by Montblanc, of course. With lavendar and pineapple extract, it’s fresh and aromatic. The apple, rose and geranium notes bring those aromas a crisper smell. And last but not least, sandalwood, tonka, and evernyl add a masculine, outdoor touch. This fragrance stands up to its name. Smell powerful and confident. Be powerful and confident.
$88.00 at Amazon.com

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How To Pick A Cologne That'll Work Like An Aphrodisiac (2024)

FAQs

What is the most powerful aphrodisiac perfume? ›

SANDALWOOD - Woody, warm, and creamy, this scent has been used in perfumery for centuries. With its reputation as a potent aphrodisiac, it is believed to foster both intimacy and relaxation. Sandalwood's olfactory notes are often described as sensual and comforting, creating an inviting atmosphere for seduction.

What smell is sexally seductive? ›

Vanilla, jasmine, ginger, patchouli, sandalwood… all these are known to have great powers of attraction and provoke aphrodisiac reactions,” describes Ricci.

Is there an aphrodisiac cologne? ›

Often found in both men's and women's fragrances, sandalwood's ambery aroma has proven aphrodisiac qualities . Invest in a sandalwood fragrance for you and your partner, and watch sparks fly.

What scent arouses a man? ›

Jasmine:

Its rich, sweet smell has been used for centuries to improve libido and promote intimacy, which makes it one of the more well-known aphrodisiac scents for men and women alike. Explore the Best Jasmine Perfumes guide for arousing jasmine scents.

Which perfume can seduce a woman? ›

Vanilla and amber scents, spicy shades or balsamic notes are all ingredients that invite seduction. Chypre perfumes intrigue as much as they fascinate with their almost erotic freshness. Bewitching white flowers such as tuberose or ylang-ylang embody the femme fatale, while gourmand notes make you salivate.

What is the best perfume to turn a man on? ›

If you're serious about seducing a guy with your scent, couple up with vanilla and musk perfumes. Mancera Roses Vanille, Dossier Floral Marshmallow, and Mugler Alien Goddess are rich in creamy, sweet vanilla. Meanwhile, heady musk is a prominent feature of Versace Crystal Noir and Moschino Toy 2.

What cologne has pheromones? ›

Moodeaux Worthy IntenScenual Eau De Parfum

Worthy is, technically, also a pheromone perfume actually, as its filled with notes that are meant to mimic your skin's natural scent.

Is there a scent that turns a woman on? ›

Jasmine scented fragrance is a must-have for anyone's scent collection. Jasmine is one of the oldest notes in perfumery and has a long history of being a sought-after aphrodisiac. And aside from its sensual attractions, it's also a major part of most floral colognes in addition to being a great team player in scent.

Do pheromone colognes actually work? ›

Does pheromone perfume actually work? There is no specific scientific data supporting the theory that pheromone perfumes attract sexual attention all on their own. In fact, the very existence of pheromones in humans “remains uncertain,” according to the National Library of Medicine.

Do aphrodisiac perfumes work? ›

As many scientific studies pointed out, aphrodisiacs (in form of food and perfumes) have no effect on our sexual libido and, even if there is any effect, it can only be attributed to placebo. And any over-the-counter medication that claims to be an aphrodisiac cannot be considered safe and effective.

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