It's not always easy to find the best perfume for teenagers, the reason being that most fragrances marketed for teens are overly saturated with tacky florals, fruity scents, or intense vanillas. Long story short: They’re usually way too strong for their own good. Couple that with a few too many spritzes and an already overpowering scent just gets that much worse.
With so many scent options out there, you'll want to narrow your selection down to fragrances that are age-appropriate, worth the money, smell great, and last a long time. To save you the trouble of doing so, we did the hard work for you. Whether you’re shopping with your teen or shopping for them, you'll want to keep reading.
Scroll to discover the best perfumes for teens.
Best Overall, Girls
Marc Jacobs Fragrances Daisy
![Marc Jacobs Daisy](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/Jw-t99MaM4-jiDHbZKLjXZutGuA=/fit-in/1500x675/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/daisy-2aa75047b01e4c37b1b1d0d1b5373202.png)
Courtesy of Sephora
Not overpowering
Sweet notes
Layers well
Expensive per ounce
What do buyers say? 85% of 5,300+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 5 stars.
Originally designed in 2007, this fragrance is one of the most well-known fragrances for how pure, subtle, and sweet it is. As an eau de toilette, the fragrance only has 4-8% of pure fragrance, making it lighter and less pungent than other perfumes on the market.
The fragrance opens up with a fresh scent of violet leaves and wild strawberries, but the heart of the scent is jasmine, gardenia, and grapefruit. The base is a subtle musk, vanilla, and sandalwood. Because of how light, citrusy, and fresh the scent is, it’s one of the most appropriate fragrances for a teenage girl.
Price at time of publish: $153
Type: Floral | Top Notes: Strawberry, violet leaves, jasmine | Free of: Parabens | Size: 1.7 / 3.4 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Overall, Boys
Ralph Lauren Polo Blue Eau De Toilette
![Ralph Lauren Polo Blue EDT](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/Iy7WOZBYkrLnUZ1NbdJDwquqQ3A=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/RalphLaurenPoloBlueEDT-dc58bd6464f044b2ab81aab2336bd13b.jpg)
Courtesy of Amazon
Fresh, clean scent
A little goes a long way
Light
Could be more long-lasting
A teenage boy should start off with something subtle, and this one is a great option. It not only is a classic, but it’s also light enough that it won’t overwhelm the senses of everyone around. Its main scent note is aquatic and ocean-like, mixed with notes like basil, sage, suede, moss, and musk. Ultimately, it's the perfect combo of fresh, mature, and inviting.
Price at time of publish: $72
Type: Earthy | Top Notes: Basil, clary sage, cucumber, patchouli | Free of: Parabens, BHT | Size: 0.3 / 2.5 / 4.2 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Budget
The Body Shop Mango Body Mist
![The Body Shop Mango Body Mist](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/7BMOTrzhEAyecwJ7q2JU94ATJcY=/fit-in/1500x1500/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TheBodyShopMangoBodyMist-a42d1f8ecad34e71865d4777f595c0b3.jpg)
Courtesy of Amazon
Reasonably priced
Made with real mango
Formula is eco-conscious
Could be stronger
The Body Shop is a definite classic for fragrance. Because they’re inexpensive and also ethically pure—all products are cruelty-free, fairly traded, and 100% vegetarian—it’s great for any teen who wants to smell great and feel good about their purchase as well. This body mist is one of The Body Shop's top rated products, and with the mango essence, it has a sweet, tropical scent to freshen up with.
You don’t have to spray it in strategic places either. It can be spritzed all over without being overwhelming. On top of the scent, the mist is made with community trade sugarcane from Brazil and community trade alcohol from Ecuador. It’s 100% vegan, and free of parabens, gluten, and silicone, so it’s safe for everyone to use. At such an affordable price, it's great starter scent for a teenager who wants a signature smell to call their own.
Price at time of publish: $14
Type: Fruity | Top Notes: Mango essence | Free of: Parabens, BHT, dyes | Size: 3.3 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Fruity
Ariana Grande Sweet Like Candy Eau De Parfum
![ariana grande sweet like candy eau de parfum](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/hCOz5CZ_TCpbwpDl91GaPn4DjgM=/fit-in/1500x800/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2306623-2c18caefbb1e4d71a55c74770d10c4bf.jpeg)
Courtesy of Ulta
Sweet but not sickening
Includes pompom
Youthful scent
Fades quickly
You don't have to be an Ariana Grande fan to appreciate this perfume that is equal parts playful and sweet. As its name suggests, the notes on this one are definitely sweet, but not overwhelmingly so. The base is a combo of crème de cassis, marshmallow, cashmere woods, and vanilla, the middle is jasmine sambac, frangipani, and dewy honeysuckle, and lastly, the top is a burst of sparkling blackberry, Italian bergamot, and pear. When blended all together, the result is truly divine. Oh, and the girly girls in your life will totally appreciate the Millenial pink packaging and furry pompom.
Price at time of publish: $65
Type: Fruity | Top Notes: Sparkling blackberry, Italian bergamot, pear | Free of: Parabens, BHT, dyes | Size: 1.7 / 3.4 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Trendy
Glossier You
![Glossier You](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/ZzmX8ZToo-0DGZzW1-ty0TaanQA=/fit-in/1500x853/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GlossierYou-3d7a633055e34e779fcfdaeabc3d42db.jpg)
Glossier
Minimal, unisex scent
Difficult to overdo
Smells different on everyone
Iris note can be unappealing to some
Any internet-savvy teen knows Glossier for their adorable, on-trend beauty products and dewy, flawless aesthetic. Enter their trademark fragrance, Glossier You, which features hints of iris root, pink peppercorn, musk, and ambrette, which blend together to create an inviting, yet understated scent. The perfume blends with each person's scent differently and leaves off a scent that is unique to you. Perfect for any trendsetting teen, this perfume comes in an adorable glossy pink bottle with a red top, for a perfume that is both intoxicating and aesthetically pleasing.
Price at time of publish: $110
Type: Woodsy | Top Notes: Pink pepper | Free of: Parabens, BHT, dyes | Size: 1.7 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Floral
Victoria's Secret Bombshell Seduction Eau de Parfum
![victoria secret bombshell seduction](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/oo3RmJLBhAP1TH5fkR2R3XO1RtU=/fit-in/1500x640/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/S18_BTY_416_e6639847-96dc3c7955144228a46943473a5a6249.jpg)
Courtesy of Victoria's Secret
A bit more grown-up than Bombshell
Attractive packaging
Light scent
Not very long-lasting
Victoria’s Secret positioned this perfume to be the sister to their best-seller Bombshell. Both are girly and fun, but this one is less fruity and more mature. As a floral oriental scent, this one exudes notes of sage, velvet musk, and tuberose, making it a bit sassier, but still sweet and age-appropriate.
Price at time of publish: $55
Type: Floral/musk | Top Notes: White peony, sage, velvet musk | Size: 1.7 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Runner-Up, Best Floral
Kate Spade Walk On Air
![kate spade walk on air](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/i0azh38oZ46_UDoIty1TKqCl_zg=/fit-in/1500x5092/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/fdb5d30d-7268-42d4-9209-15e5e5ae038b-b163ab8d12f0473ba1202d982cfc2b65.jpeg)
Courtesy of Nordstrom
Chic packaging
Sophisticated scent
Good value
Heavy on florals
For the girl who’s sophisticated, a Kate Spade fragrance could be a nice addition to her beauty routine or a nice surprise gift. The bottle is decorated with an adorable bow and charming, almost Tiffany-esque blue that we love.
Because it is an eau de parfum, there’s a higher concentration of pure fragrance (about 8 to 15%), making it stronger than most other perfumes. It’s meant to exude the grace and confidence of the wearer with layers of magnolia, lily of the valley, jasmine, and crinum lily. Even though this is a more sophisticated fragrance, it still has a youthful, fresh flare great for teens.
Price at time of publish: $38
Type: Floral | Top Notes: Linden blossom, maiden's hair fern, solomon's seal, calabrese bergamot, tunisian neroli | Size: 1.7 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No
What to Look For in Perfumes for Teens
Method of Application
Perfumes can be gently poured or spritzed onto your skin or sprayed across your entire body. Ultimately, a perfume’s method of application is a matter of your personal preference. If you find perfume equipped with nozzles to be the best fit for you, be sure to check the bottle before purchasing so you can apply it as you’d like.
Scent Longevity
Depending on potency, perfume scents will last for different periods of time. If you prefer a lighter scent or aren’t concerned with the scent fading, this isn’t a factor to heavily consider. But if you want a long-lasting fragrance, be sure you opt for a perfume that’s noted to be stronger.
Eau de Parfum vs. Eau de Toilette
Eau de parfum and eau de toilette differ by the concentration of oil blended with alcohol. Eau de parfum is more concentrated than eau de toilette, and a higher concentration of oils translates to a longer-lasting fragrance.