Scouted: Hinoki Scents Are the Olfactory Dupe of a Japanese Spa Treatment
Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission.
Maybe it’s all that time we’ve spent sweating it out from wood-planked infrared saunas—or at least fantasizing about it while watching yet another Architectural Digest celebrity house tour—but Japanese cypress, or hinoki, is sweeping the zeitgeist as of the most comforting scents as of late. Though hinoki has long been used in perfumery, the fragrance is having an aromatic moment in both the home and personal fragrance markets, with the citrus-tinged dry wood serving as the heart of luxe body oils, heady colognes, candles, body washes, lotions, and of course, eau de parfums, among other products.
What makes the scent feel so fresh? It offers a cleaner take on “woodsy” fragrance, swapping the dank thicket of pine that many Americans associate with the forest for a light, citrus-tinged dry wood that’s a dead ringer for spa incense. What’s more, experts say the fragrance joins a line of grounded—and trending—scents that appeal to our quest for inner ohm.
“[Part of] Hinoki’s appeal lies in its distinctive aromatic profile, blending woody and citrusy elements,” says Olivia Jezler, an olfactory designer and founder of Future of Smell, a scent consultancy for brands like Dior, Google, and Unilever. “Following trends like sandalwood, palo santo, and cypress, hinoki is rooted in its traditional use in Japanese bathhouses and is closely associated with calmness and well-being. This connection aligns seamlessly with today’s focus on wellness.” It doesn’t hurt that hinoki wood is thought to be sustainable and commonly sourced from responsibly managed forests in Japan.
Use hinoki to tame the excess sweetness from vanilla fragrances or as a way to forest bathe without getting dirty. This versatile scent offers endless olfactory experiences.
