In the ever-evolving world of fragrance, 2025 has become the year of breaking boundaries—and that includes gender. While florals once whispered femininity and woods shouted masculinity, the new wave of scents dissolves those lines entirely. Today’s most coveted perfumes are genderless, skin-centric, and all about evoking an aura rather than reinforcing a role.
There’s a certain understated luxury in wearing a scent that doesn’t scream for attention but instead lingers like a perfectly tailored blazer—structured, refined, and effortlessly expensive. These fragrances aren’t made to overpower a room; they’re designed to draw people in.
Here are five of the most sought-after gender-neutral fragrances this year—real, rave-reviewed, and impossible not to notice. They don’t just smell good; they smell expensive, and more importantly, they work beautifully on everyone.
1. Le Labo – Another 13
Key Notes: Ambroxan, Jasmine, Moss, Iso E Super
There’s something almost surreal about Another 13. Created in collaboration with AnOther magazine back in the day (no longer a niche secret), this scent has evolved into a cult staple in the world of genderless perfumes.
The backbone is Ambroxan, a synthetic ambergris molecule that mimics skin—only better. It’s musky, slightly animalic, and undeniably addictive. Paired with soft floral hints of jasmine and a mossy undercurrent, it becomes a chameleon. On one person, it leans crisp and clean; on another, it turns sultry and shadowy.
Why it smells rich: It’s subtle, skin-like, and so minimal that it feels exclusive. It’s not trying hard—and that’s the point.
2. Byredo – Super Cedar
Key Notes: Virginian Cedarwood, Rose, Silk Musk, Haitian Vetiver
If a Scandinavian design studio could be bottled, it would smell like Super Cedar. Sleek, linear, and androgynous in the best way, this fragrance strips wood down to its purest, most elegant form. There’s a whisper of rose—never sweet, always fresh—that softens the sharpness of the cedar without ever tipping into traditionally feminine territory.
Super Cedar wears close to the skin, which makes it feel deeply personal. The vetiver base adds a subtle smokiness that lingers, like the memory of an art gallery visit or a walk through a minimalist concept store.
Why it smells rich: It’s the olfactory equivalent of a monochrome cashmere outfit. Quiet luxury at its finest.
3. Maison Francis Kurkdjian – Gentle Fluidity Silver
Key Notes: Juniper Berry, Nutmeg, Amber Woods, Musks
From a house synonymous with modern elegance, Gentle Fluidity Silver is a masterclass in aromatic duality. Unlike traditional fragrances, it wasn’t made with gender in mind. Instead, its creator designed two versions—Silver and Gold—with the same notes, just arranged differently. The result? Silver is cool, sharp, and invigorating.
You’ll notice an icy clarity from juniper berry and a powder-dry kick of nutmeg, followed by a clean woody base that feels like stainless steel in scent form. It’s modern, polished, and supremely confident.
Why it smells rich: Its structure is intelligent and refined, like architectural brilliance distilled into a bottle.
4. Escentric Molecules – Molecule 01 + Iris
Key Notes: Iso E Super, Iris
The Molecule 01 series has long had a reputation for being the “you but better” fragrance. Molecule 01 + Iris takes that concept to another level. Iso E Super gives off a velvety, almost phantom-like aura that you might not smell on yourself but others definitely will. Then comes the iris—earthy, powdery, and unexpectedly sensual.
There’s a clinical precision to the way this scent develops, yet the effect is emotional. It’s soft-focus luxury—a blur of clean sheets, well-lit studios, and vintage leather notebooks.
Why it smells rich: It’s intimate and elusive, like knowing a secret no one else does.
5. Diptyque – Tam Dao Eau de Parfum
Key Notes: Sandalwood, Cypress, Cedar, Spices
Tam Dao is the fragrance equivalent of a vintage travel journal—rooted in memory, yet timeless in its appeal. Built around creamy Mysore sandalwood, this scent is warm, woody, and comforting, yet never cloying. The inclusion of cypress and spices gives it a gentle aromatic lift that balances its milky base.
The Eau de Parfum version is richer and deeper than the EDT, clinging to clothing and skin like incense in a silk scarf. It’s spiritual without being overly meditative, luxurious without being loud.
Why it smells rich: Sandalwood of this quality always whispers heritage and sophistication.
Why Gender-Neutral Scents Are Dominating
The shift toward gender-neutral fragrance isn’t just a trend—it’s a reflection of how we want to feel rather than how we want to perform. This year’s most coveted perfumes aren’t about pink bottles or “for him” marketing. Instead, they celebrate the skin, chemistry, and atmosphere.
Here’s why they’re having such a moment:
Versatility: A good neutral scent layers beautifully with other perfumes, fits every season, and adapts to your skin.
Modernity: They represent a new way of living—less binary, more fluid.
Timeless elegance: These aren’t novelty scents. They’re designed to last—in both memory and culture.
How to Choose the Right One for You
When exploring the world of unisex luxury fragrances, here are a few tips to make the experience worth every spritz:
1. Try Before You Buy
Scents evolve with your skin’s chemistry. What smells sharp in the bottle might turn creamy on your wrist. Always test on your skin and wear for a full day if possible.
2. Consider Your Aura, Not Just the Notes
Rather than focusing solely on scent descriptions, think about how you want to be perceived. Clean? Mysterious? Grounded? Choose accordingly.
3. One Scent, Many Lives
Don’t underestimate the power of layering. Pair Another 13 with a touch of rose oil. Mix Molecule 01 + Iris with a vanilla base. A truly luxe scent is often a composition of your own.
In a world where image often comes before substance, gender-neutral fragrances offer a rare sense of quiet power. These five perfumes don’t conform. They don’t shout. They simply exist—sophisticated, self-assured, and stunning on anyone lucky enough to wear them.
If you’re looking to elevate your signature scent this year, go for one that transcends categories. Because truly elegant fragrance doesn’t ask for permission—it simply becomes you.
