Fragrance

04-18-2024

Find Your Scent: What Does Eucalyptus Smell Like?

The smell of the eucalyptus can transport you to a place of relaxation and rejuvenation. 

Given that it’s arguably one of the most soothing scents, As you search for your signature scent, it’s important to know what eucalyptus smells like and where this captivating scent comes from. In this article, we’ll take a close look at what makes eucalyptus so popular, all the components of its incredible smell, and the best Snif scents to pair it with. 

What Makes Eucalyptus So Popular?

Before we dive into the smell of eucalyptus, let’s talk about what makes it so popular. Indigenous to southeastern Australia, we get eucalyptus oil, which has that distinctive smell we associate with the name, from eucalyptus leaves. To make the oil, eucalyptus leaves are dried, crushed, and distilled. 

There are over 600 varieties of eucalyptus trees, with the most common type of eucalyptus, now grown and harvested all over the world, being the Tasmanian blue gum tree. On really hot days, the eucalyptus oil trapped in the leaves of the blue gum tree is released and mixes with dust and water vapor to create a blue haze which is where it gets its name. 

Nowadays, you can find eucalyptus-scented items pretty much everywhere (from shower gels to home cleaners), but eucalyptus was originally used for its healing properties, not its smell. 

Some of the benefits of eucalyptus include its wound healing, decongestant, and pain relief capabilities. Eucalyptus can also act as an antiseptic, cough suppressant, inflammation reducer, and insect repellent. Given these characteristics, eucalyptus is often used to help ease colds, soothe respiratory issues, and clear sinuses. 

Along with its ability to help with some physical ailments, eucalyptus is also used in aromatherapy. The essential oil made from eucalyptus oil is thought to promote relaxation and clear the mind. Because of this, you’ll often smell eucalyptus in wellness centers, gyms, spas, and other places you might go to relieve stress and improve your well-being.

What Does Eucalyptus Smell Like?

Eucalyptus oil is almost entirely composed of eucalyptol, a terpene that, along with other terpenes like cineol, pinene, and limonene, gives eucalyptus its distinct aroma. 

As a woody but green fragrance, eucalyptus has a rich, complex smell that’s both distinct and irresistible. This section will break down the earthy scent of eucalyptus into its primary main descriptors: fresh, bright, and clean. 

Fresh

Eucalyptus smells like fresh air, as if you’re taking a deep breath in the middle of a cool, calm forest. Without being overwhelming, the smell of eucalyptus combines woody and resinous fragrances that instantly transport you to a lush hiking trail on a sunny day. Eucalyptus is also a slightly sharp fragrance, which sets it apart from other woody fragrances like sandalwood that have a creamier smell. 

Bright

Thanks to those terpenes we talked about earlier, eucalyptus also has a bright, minty smell. Although the scent of eucalyptus isn’t as strong as that of peppermint, it is cool and refreshing. It won’t make your nose tingle, but eucalyptus will definitely wake up your senses and give you the feeling of a full-body refresh. 

Clean

The crisp smell of eucalyptus is also often described as clean because it has some light citrus elements, too. Don’t get us wrong — you probably won’t smell eucalyptus and immediately think of your favorite citrus fruit, but if you let the smell linger, you might catch a subtle, sweet lemony twist. 

What Scents Pair Well With Eucalyptus?

Whether you want to incorporate eucalyptus into your signature scent for its invigorating properties or to get a little bit of mental clarity, it’s helpful to know what scents play well with eucalyptus essential oil. Below, we’re giving you with three fragrances that balance and blend well with the fresh scent of eucalyptus. 

Lavender

First on our list, we have lavender, bringing a floral fragrance to the woodsy vibe of eucalyptus. Lavender has a soft, herbal smell that comes from its signature purple buds. Unlike other floral scents, lavender is subtle and sweet with slight balsamic, smokey undertones that make it rich. 

Much like eucalyptus, lavender is also well-loved for its therapeutic properties. Lavender is known to be calming and anxiety-reducing. You’ll often find lavender in sleep aids and products to promote relaxation. 

To incorporate the irresistible smell of lavender into your fragrance collection, look no further than Ace Ace Baby. This fresh citrus fragrance combines lemonade accord, ginger, timur pepper, white freesia, green apple blossom, blonde woods, grass, and, of course, lavender. This fragrance is crisp and powdery and captures the essence of spring in a bottle. 

Rose

The smell of rose is one of the most classic scents there is, and it pairs exceptionally well with eucalyptus. Not many people know this, but the smell of roses actually varies significantly based on the type of rose. Although there’s a wide variety, the most common rose fragrance, and the one most people imagine when they hear the word, belongs to the Damask rose. 

The Damask rose smells flowery (no surprise there) and slightly sweet. You might also associate the smell of roses with clean laundry and makeup powder. The velvety smell of roses is addicting and one of the most memorable floral fragrances. 

Rose takes the stage in Burning Bridges, a smoky scent where rose pairs with vanilla, tobaccos, iris, spices, freesia, and oakmoss. This scent is toasty, sweet, and unexpectedly fresh. Burning Bridges is the perfect fragrance for you if you’re the kind of person who likes to make a statement and wear a bold, memorable scent. 

Lime

To give the bright, clean smell of eucalyptus a boost, you can pair it with lime. One of the juiciest citrus scents, the smell of lime is tart and delicious. Bold and fresh, the smell of lime is striking and often compliments more subtle fragrances like eucalyptus well. 

Citrus Circus features a delightful combination of citrus scents. With creamsicle, grapefruit, lime zest, sparkling water, neroli, violet, cedar, and white amber, this bright citrus fragrance balances woody scents with sweet citrus to make for a tangy, sparkling finish. 

Your New Scent Is Calling…

If you’re looking for a crisp, clean scent, look no further than eucalyptus. Known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, the Australian eucalyptus plant is now grown all over the world. People use eucalyptus oil for its antiseptic properties, medicinal properties, and uplifting scent. 

The aroma of eucalyptus is fresh, bright, and clean, making it ideal for those moments when you need a rejuvenating reset. Found in fragrances, scented candles, soaps, and more, eucalyptus is a popular choice for many and can become one of your new signature scents.

Sources:

Eucalyptus Information | Mount Sinai 

A systematic and comprehensive review on current understanding of the pharmacological actions, molecular mechanisms, and clinical implications of the genus Eucalyptus | ScienceDirect

Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Effects of Eucalyptus spp. Essential Oils: A Potential Valuable Use for an Industry Byproduct | NIH

(PDF) MEDICINAL USES OF LAVENDER OIL (LAVANDULA LATIFOLIA) AND ITS EFFECT ON HUMAN HEALTH | ResearchGate

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