A fragrance, or stage of its wear, that is mainly perceptible close to the skin.
Not to be confused with: Projection
When reporting a skin scent, specify whether it was close from the beginning or became close later. A perfume that ends quietly may still have had a noticeable opening. “Skin scent” is an informal description, not a recognised concentration category.
You cannot smell the fragrance at arm’s length, but can still pick it up by bringing your wrist near your nose.
“After lunch it becomes a skin scent, with a soft woody trace.”
A skin scent is not necessarily a perfume that smells like bare skin. It can be floral, sweet, woody or anything else.
Use to explain close-wearing descriptions without treating quietness as a quality fault.
No external sources attached yet. This entry is based on accepted community usage and editorial review.
Reviewed October 9, 2026 by the Noteboxd editorial team.