Milk perfumes are in for 2026, here are our best 9 picks

A collage featuring some of the milk-like perfumes included in this round-up, including Molton Brown's Milk Musk, Commodity's Milk, Issey Miyake's A Drop D'issey and Maison Margiela's Coffee Break perfumes, on a white and grey marbled template with a milk spill and marshmallow stock images, to demonstrate their fragrance notes.

(Image credit: Molton Brown/ Commodity/ Issey Miyake and Maison Margiela)

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What are milk perfumes
When to wear them

Combining cool, airy softness with sweet hints of almond and velvety cream, milk perfumes are truly food for the senses - and they're proving even more popular than classic vanilla scents this year.

While the classic olfactory families will always claim spots among the best long-lasting perfumes, from floral fragrances to smoky ouds, several modern updates are becoming increasingly popular. And with the 2026 fragrance trends predicting rises in whisper-soft skin-scents and 'grown up' gourmands, there's one genre, in particular, that is poised to be in very high demand, as it blends elements of both into one, deliciously creamy aroma. But rather than relying upon musky and vanilla hints to give them that signature appeal, these perfumes draw on a different and potentially polarising note: milk.

Now, of course, we're not asking you to retire your best perfumes for women in favour of dousing yourself in the semi-skinned milk you've got kicking about in the fridge. Nor do these scents boast any similarities to that sour smell that emanates from the bottle, post-expiry. Instead, they combine rich and delicate lactonic accords to capture everything, from the smooth nuttiness of an almond milk latte to the sweetness of whipped cream - and these are our nine favourites.

The 9 best milk perfumes to make your mouth water

Whether you're looking for a sweet, coconutty fragrance for summer or a comforting, everyday skin scent, these cool and creamy milk perfume picks are surprisingly versatile and smell good enough to eat (but please don't)...

Soft, sweet & creamy

1. COMMODITY Milk Expressive EDP

RRP: £140 for 100ml | Notes: cold milk accord, skin musk, marshmallow, roasted sesame, mahogany wood and tonka bean

Available in three intensities, this scent is everything you want a milk perfume to be. It opens with fresh and creamy hints of milk, which then give way to muskier, woody notes that wrap you up in warmth. It's reminiscent of a skin scent but with a velvety sweetness. It evolves throughout the day, flitting between milky to smoky and back again.

Who should buy it: those who are looking for the perfume equivalent of warm, freshly washed sheets.

fresh & chic

2. Zadig & Voltaire This is Her! EDP

RRP: £53 for 100ml | Notes: jasmine sambac, chestnut, pink berry and vanilla

Fresh, clean and seriously chic, Zadig & Voltaire This is Her is a true signature. When this perfume first hits your skin, you get those subtle citrus hints before they then melt into something softer and altogether milkier. Its woody base notes linger, with a sweet edge that is just so elegant. It's definitely what I would consider a skin scent. It's also up there with the best long-lasting perfumes.

Who should buy it: those who want a soft, everyday scent that is distinctive but not easy to pin down.

Hints of coffee

3. Maison Margiela REPLICA Coffee Break EDT

RRP: £58 for 30ml | Notes: milk mousse accord, coffee, red apple, lavender and spearmint Essence, orange flower and sandalwood

One of the latest additions to the Maison Margiela lineup, Coffee Break is designed to capture the ambience of a cosy cafe, with hints of coffee, creamy milk mousse and warm lavender and sandalwood essence.

Who should wear it: those who love French coffee presses, foam milk hearts and crisp autumnal mornings...

Mature & nutty

4. Serge Lutens Dent de Lait

RRP: £191 for 100ml | Notes: almond milk, coconut and cashmeran

For a more mature option, this perfume is creamy but rich, with a minimalist blend of milky notes and warm cashmeran. There's a nuttiness to it that lingers on the skin, and while it's not as soft as other scents on this list, it's definitely distinctive. I'd recommend it for spring and summer.

Who should buy it: those who are looking for a sophisticated and mature scent that still fulfils that milky assignment.

Musky

5. Molton Brown Milk Musk EDP

RRP: £120 for 100ml | Notes: milk, musk, animated elemi and benzoin

This perfume is the perfect blend of calming and chic, its musky hints of benzoin create that skin-scent appeal whilst its creamy milk notes soften it, for a cosy and warming embrace.

Who should buy it: For those who steer clear of obvious, overpowering scents and instead, want something gentle and intimate.

Creamy floral

6. Issey Miyake A Drop D'issey EDP

RRP: £80 for 50ml | Notes: Damask rose, lilac, orange blossom, almond milk accord, musk and cedarwood

For floral perfume lovers, this scent blends signature rose and orange blossom with nutty almond milk accord and warm woody hints. It's touted as being hypnotic and potent, ideal for those looking to make a statement.

Who should buy it: those who love their scent to be the centre of attention.

Soft & intimate

7. Ex Nihilo Santal Calling EDP

RRP: £180 for 50ml | Notes: milky accord, iris, rose, cashmeran, sandalwood, vanilla and musk

While this scent is definitely on the premium side, this perfume is truly rich. With milky facets that blend with soft florals and woody notes of sandalwood. It's stylish and described as being both gentle and mesmerising.

Who should buy it: someone who loves woody, floral perfumes but wants something a tad milkier and more intimate to add to their collection.

Coconut milk

Maison Louis Marie

8. Maison Louis Marie No.13 Nouvelle Vague Eau De Parfum 50ml

RRP: £92 for 50ml | Notes: coconut, Tuscan fig, agave, tonka and golden wood

If you're on the hunt for a soft, airy perfume, No.13 Nouvelle Vague is a lovely option with its breezy blend of coconut, creamy Tuscan fig and warm, golden woods. It boasts a very dewy, sheer quality, which I credit to the opening notes of coconut. It's sweet and silky, but there's also this beautiful solar-like warmth to it.

Who should buy it: those seeking a lightweight, summery take on a milky fragrance and fans of coconut scents.

soft & skin-like

DedCool

9. DedCool Xtra Milk Eau De Parfum

RRP: £71 for 50ml | Notes: Bergamot, white musk and amber

For our skin-scent fans out there, DedCool Xtra Milk is often cited alongside that of Glossier You and Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 for its sheer, 'your smell but better' sort of effect. It's musky and soft, ideal for layering, while its base of amber adds cosy warmth.

Who should buy it: those who prefer sheer, musky fragrances that they can wear every day, no matter the season or occasion.

What are milk perfumes?

Standout perfume notes: milk accords, latte accords, marshmallow, condensed milk and ice cream

Now that we've perused the most popular creamy scents on the market, let's now address the elephant in the room - what are milk perfumes, exactly?

"More commonly referred to as 'lactonics,' milk perfumes have notes or accords that evoke a glass of fresh milk, milky beverages or creamy desserts," says Vicken Arslanian, founder of Commodity (a modern perfumery renowned for their hero Milk scent). "They fall under the gourmand category, which are fragrances with food-inspired notes."

As for what notes constitute a "milk" perfume: "A variety of notes can be used to create a milk-like aroma. To name a few: milk accords, latte accords, marshmallow, condensed milk and dessert notes like rice pudding, ice cream and more."

Certain musk, cashmeran and wood notes can also afford a perfume that signature, milky softness.

Vicken Arslanian

Vicken Arslanian is the founder of Commodity, a modern perfumery that champions simplicity as the new luxury. The brand is renowned for its chic and contemporary fragrances (which are all available in three different intensities), particularly their very own "Milk" scent. So naturally, we've quizzed Arslanian on what defines a milk perfume and why they're so popular right now...

Why are milk perfumes popular?

"Milk-like scents are becoming more and more popular because they bring a sense of cosiness and comfort to a fragrance," explains Arslanian, adding, "They call forth a fond childhood memory of eating milk and cookies or indulging in a favourite dessert."

They're also the perfect choice for those who steer clear of very heavy and powerful scents, like oud perfumes or very feminine floral aromas. Milk perfumes are sweet but also often layered with woody and musky notes to create a warm and subtle fragrance.

Are milk perfumes like skin-scents?

Yes and no, "Milky perfumes can be skin scents, but the two are not mutually inclusive," says Arslanian. You can find some creamy perfumes that are just that - and don't feature the tell-tale notes of a skin scent (like that of musk), though still offer a similar soft and comforting smell.

What seasons are milk perfumes best for?

"Milk perfumes can really be worn year-round," says Arslanian but "traditionally, fragrance wearers gravitate toward lighter scents in the warmer seasons and heavier scents as the weather cools. Someone newer to fragrance may want to follow this trend to start and try a milky skin scent in the summer or a heavier version in the winter.

"For those familiar with fragrance and already know what they like, we encourage wearing a milky fragrance whenever you want. There are no rules."

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Naomi is a Digital Beauty Writer at woman&home, where she covers everything from makeup to skincare but specialises, particularly, in fragrance and nail trends. Through her work, Naomi shares her trend expertise and personal product recommendations. She is also a judge for woman&home's annual hair, skincare and beauty awards.

Previously, she worked as a Lifestyle News Writer for My Imperfect Life magazine, where she used her savvy for TikTok to bring readers the latest beauty buzzwords, fashion movements and must-have products.

Before that, Naomi split her time between both GoodTo and My Imperfect Life, whilst training for her Gold Standard diploma in Journalism with the NCTJ.