Best Smelling Essential Oils for the Body

Whether you’re just getting into aromatherapy or are a seasoned veteran, one thing that takes time is discovering your favorite essential oils. We each have our own personal preferences when it comes to scent, which is largely rooted in our individual biological makeup and memories. Our sense of smell is directly linked to the emotional center of the brain. So a scent that some may find soothing or brings them back to a positive memory, could be off-putting to others. The best way to find out which essential oils work best for you is to experiment testing out different varieties and blends until you find what speaks to you. In other words, follow your nose. Below are some of the essential oils we think smell divine.

Essential Oils That Smell Great

Lavender

Derived from the flowers of the lavender plant, lavender essential oil is one of the most popular essential oils, and for good reason. It has a wonderful floral aroma and is known for its ability to calm the mind and body. 

Aroma: Floral, herbaceous, fresh

Properties: Calming, comforting, grounding

You may also like: Geranium, jasmine

Orange

Citrus essential oils always tend to be crowd-pleasers, and orange is one of them. Extracted from orange peels, orange essential oil has a sweet, uplifting scent that can give you that extra pick-me-up you need in the morning or during afternoon lulls.

Aroma: Sweet, tangy

Properties: Invigorating, mood-boosting, promotes focus

You may also like: Grapefruit, lemon

Cedarwood

If you’re drawn to woodsy or musky scents, then cedarwood essential oil could be a great choice. Known for its ability to soothe a worried mind and also promote concentration, cedarwood essential oil comes from the bark of the cedar tree and has a deep woodsy scent that is reminiscent of a forest after a rainstorm.

Aroma: Woodsy

Properties: Grounding, tranquil, soothing

You may also like: Sandalwood, fir, patchouli

Ylang Ylang

Lover of all things floral? Give ylang ylang essential oil a try! Derived from ylang ylang flowers it has a deep floral scent that is slightly sweet. Plus, it can be used in a variety of applications from skin care to perfume.

Aroma: Floral, sweet

Properties: Calming, balancing

You may also like: Rose, lavender

Cinnamon

Most people love cinnamon essential oil because it reminds them of crisp fall weather, holiday traditions, and fresh baked goods — all things that usually make us feel warm and fuzzy inside. The spicy-sweet scent is not only good for conjuring up past memories, it can also be very energizing and grounding for the mind and body. However, be careful not to use too much, as it can be irritating in large quantities. 

Aroma: Spicy, sweet

Properties: Energizing, promotes concentration

You may also like: Clove, black pepper

Eucalyptus

Derived from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree, eucalyptus essential oi has a fresh, camphorous scent you’ve likely smelled before in a steam room or at a spa. It’s also great at revitalizing the senses when you’re feeling tired or overwhelmed.

Aroma: Camphorous, fresh, clean

Properties: Revitalizing, energizing

You may also like: Peppermint

Rose

It’s hard to deny the scent of fresh roses. Deeply floral, yet delicate, rose essential oil encapsulates the beauty of a bouquet in a bottle so you can enjoy it year-round. And the benefits don’t just stop there, it’s also wonderful for the skin and mind.

Aroma: Rich, floral

Properties: Peaceful, loving, calming

You may also like: Geranium, ylang ylang, palmarosa

Lemon

Similar to orange essential oil, many gravitate to lemon essential oil for its fresh, citrusy scent, maybe it’s because it reminds them of a bright summer day or a clean house. It’s also known for its ability to awaken the senses.

Aroma: Citrusy, fresh, clean

Properties: Energizing, revitalizing

You may also like: Orange, lime, grapefruit

Now that you know of some of the best-smelling essential oils for the body (in our personal opinion), you can narrow down your search and begin testing them out and making your own blends. One of the quickest ways to find out whether or not you like an essential oil is by simply giving it a whiff right out of the bottle or by adding a drop or two to your essential oil diffuser. Just be sure if you are using a diffuser that you are in a well-ventilated room and don’t keep it on for long periods of time. After you have found your favorite scents you can begin incorporating them into other aspects of your daily life, such as your beauty or skincare routine, and even in your home through DIY cleaning products or candles. To learn more about how you can do this, take a look at this article: How to Use Essential Oils.