There’s nothing quite like the freshness of a citrus cologne on a hot day. That magical blend of sweetness, tartness, and airiness makes these scents perfect for summertime daily wear. Below are a few of our favorite citrus fragrances, and they range from playful and invigorating to tranquil and calming.
This post may have affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission on purchases through the links (at no extra cost to you). This does not change our opinion but does help support the site. Thank you!
While many citrus-based fragrances are unisex, there are also some deeply masculine scents that have a citrus edge. Many citrus scents are particularly well-suited to young men who will enjoy the sweetness and like the lightness of the fragrance.
There’s also the question of whether you can wear citrus colognes in the colder months. On one side are guys who point out that they work in climate-controlled offices where the temperature change doesn’t really affect them and happily wear citrus fragrances year-round.
I see their point though I personally prefer to change my scent my the seasons and find many citrus fragrances so light I can barely maintain their longevity in the summer. It’s really a personal decision.
ORANGE LOVERS
Hermes Concentre D’orange Verte EDT
The smooth citrus and soft green notes in Concentre D’Orange Verte will make you feel like you’re in a tranquil garden lined with citrus trees on a warm summer day. Notes of orange (which is more tart than sweet), basil, and patchouli give the fragrance its citrusy, green blend, while cedar and amber contribute to its warmth and calming qualities. Plus, it delivers decent sillage and better longevity than most Hermes fragrances.
Christian Dior Eau Sauvage Eau De Toilette Spray for Men
Introduced in 1966, Eau Sauvage remains one of the most recognizable citrus scents in the world today. Sample this fragrance and you’ll find an iconic blend of citrus, spiciness, and woodiness. It opens with notes of lemon, bergamot, basil, which gives way to a spicy floral heart of rose, jasmine, and coriander, and finishes with a base of amber, oakmoss, vetiver, and musk. Even though this fragrance is bursting with different notes, its ability to maintain a subtle, clean scent makes it a true classic.
LEMON LOVERS
Monsieur Balmain EDT by Balmain
This one is for lemon lovers. Monsieur Balmain delivers one of the most wearable citrus lemon scents out there. And it’s got good longevity, too. Unlike other lemon fragrances, which burst at the beginning only to quickly burn out, Monsieur Balmain remains clean, fresh, and lemony all the way through.
PURE ELEGANCE
Acqua Di Parma Colonia EDC
Acqua di Parma is a collaboration between two parfumiers: the over-the-top Bertrand Duchaufour and the minimalist Jean-Claude Ellena. Their disparate styles coexist in this beautiful bottle, which is simultaneously innovatively complex and classically fresh. Notes include bitter orange, bergamot, ylang-ylang, and lemon verbena. Depending on how this one sits on your skin, longevity can be lacking.
MOST VERSATILE
Creed Neroli Sauvage EDP
Creed’s Neroli Sauvage is an incredible fragrance that will serve you well if you can get it to last on your skin. Notes of bergamot, grapefruit, neroli, verbena, and ambergris blend to create a zesty, beautiful scent. But, if you’re like most people, you’ll be lucky if it’s still on your skin after 2 hours so be prepared to reapply.
BEST NICHE FRAGRANCE
Eau D’ Hadrien By Annick Goutal
Eau D’Hadrien opens with a burst of well-blended citrus and a dash of cypress. Notes include cypress, lemon, Sicilian lemon, citron, mandarin orange, aldehydes, and ylang-ylang. Like many of our citrus favorites, this bottle is versatile enough for wear by both men and women. The longevity tends to be fairly weak, but the citrus magnificence makes it worth a try.
BEST CITRUS COLOGNE FOR A NIGHT OUT
CK One EDT by Calvin Klein
CK One is a legendary unisex fragrance and the essence of freshness. Fair warning: it will have you feeling major 90’s nostalgia. It opens with notes of green, pineapple, and citrus, and eventually dries down to a powdery, citrusy, ambery scent.
Still undecided? Choosing a new fragrance can be difficult — the good thing with citrus colognes is they’re usually light enough that they’re easy crowd-pleasers. It’s rare that I encounter a citrus perfume that people have strong opinions about.
Pin On Pinterest
Born and raised in Austin, David is a dedicated writer and avid fragrance lover. When he's not trying out perfumes, he enjoys traveling and exploring new restaurants.
