As anyone who’s ever been fooled into buying a useless “miracle” supplement knows, most all alternative health claims must be taken with not only a grain, but several pounds, of skepticism salt. This could not be more true of something like “aromatherapy” — quite literally, the idea that certain smells have health benefits — which sounds like witchcraft, if not downright hooey. However, we might soon be putting our olfactory skepticism aside: More and more research suggests that plant-based scents may have real, quantifiable mental health benefits, particularly regarding our moods. For example, in a study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences in 2021, “the inhalation of lavender and chamomile was found to decrease levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in older adults.” In another, out of the University of Miami School of Medicine, students who sniffed rosemary essential oil before a math test were found to have “increased alertness.” They also reported feeling more relaxed, less anxious and were faster at completing complex math problems.
The therapeutic use of aromatic plants — particularly essential oils extracted from leaves, barks and flowers — can actually be traced back to prehistoric times. In the 1920s, French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefossé coined the word aromatherapie after decades of research into how certain scents may affect our health. Gattefossé published 20 books on the topic and founded the French Society of Aromatic Products, a branch of which still exists today.
Since then, scientists have identified 40 common essential oils and published more than 17,000 studies in scientific journals on their therapeutic effects. The near-universal conclusion? That the human brain reacts at least mildly to what we smell and that intense scents, like those below, can impact our moods for the better. It’s important to note that most aromatherapy research is based on the use of undiluted, pure essential oils (like peppermint, lavender, orange, sandalwood, rosemary and eucalyptus), which can, in real life, be dropped into diffusers throughout your home (I like this one, which is affordable, effective and completely cute too).
5 mood-boosting scents to add to your morning shower
Peppermint
It’s not just for candy canes anymore! A 2019 study out of Northumbria University found that exposure to the aroma of peppermint enhanced both cognition and mood in healthy adults. Specifically, researchers discovered “small to medium positive effects of peppermint aroma on aspects of memory and attention and feelings of subjective alertness.”
This makes sense (scents?): Peppermint is zippy and invigorating. That it can enhance attention and increase energy levels and alertness makes it the ideal smell for your morning shower, especially if you’re feeling sluggish or have one of those “big” days ahead.
Aura Cacia
Aurora Cacia is a premier player in the aromatherapy game and these pure/all-natural shower tablets are the real, invigorating deal. Toss one onto the shower floor and let the olfactory magic happen as each aromatic nugget dissolves.
Pro tip: They’re also easy to bring on work trips to use in your hotel bathroom when you need some morning pep on the go.
Dr. Bronner’s
I’ve never met a ’70s food co-op card carrying hippie who didn’t have a version of this highly versatile Dr Bronner’s soap on their childhood shower shelf. The intense, castile-oil-based cleanser is made entirely of pure and fair trade ingredients with zero preservatives, and while the concentrate may be a bit too much for the most sensitive skin, it’s just as effective — and the scent remains as potent — when the formula is diluted down.
Citrus (lemon, orange or grapefruit)
Though many of us cut out the Tang decades ago, science says starting your day with some kind of citrus remains a smart idea. A Japanese study from 2014 found that smelling citrus (specifically, in this instance, yuzu, a Japanese fruit that’s like a cross between a tangerine and grapefruit) for up to 10 minutes can help boost your mood in the morning — or anytime. “Inhalation of the aromatic yuzu oil significantly decreased tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, anger-hostility and confusion,” researchers explained.
Amazon
This bright, invigorating all-natural scrub is made from some of the most skin-nourishing ingredients around, including sweet orange oil, dead sea salt, organic aloe vera juice and coconut oil. The scent is more tart that candy sweet and it’s amazingly effective for sloughing off dead skin cells.
The product (seriously, one of my current faves!) is so popular on Amazon, it’s currently racked up 30,000 5-star reviews, like this one: “Leaves my skin feeling rejuvenated!”
Bliss
I’ve been a huge fan of this classic Bliss body wash for nearly two decades and here’s why: It’s gentle, cruelty-free and extremely moisturizing. It lathers well but also rinses off easily while leaving my skin soft. But what I like best? The lemon sage smells like an expensive Italian spa.
Rosemary
Not only is adding the smell of rosemary to your morning shower a good strategy for waking up your brain, but bringing the herb into your workspace may aid in keeping you alert and more mentally productive throughout the day.
The Bubble Factory
These luxurious-feeling rosemary and mint soaps (which come in a pack of three) are handmade with both skin-hydrating shea butter and potent essential oils. They suds up nicely and leave behind a super-silky finish.
“Excellent lather and soft feeling on the skin,” raves one of nearly a thousand 5-star reviewers. “I love the way each soap smells and it makes plenty of lather. You will be cleansed with a lovely scent.”
Mielle Organics
For anyone with thin, fine or thinning hair this strengthening shampoo is a double win: Not only can the scent stimulate your brain, but topically applied rosemary oil has been clinically proven to initiate new hair growth and help prevent further loss. In fact, a 2015 study suggests that rosemary essential oil is as effective as minoxidil at growing new hair in mice.
This is an excellent rosemary product should you want to try it out: Mielle Organics’ formula contains follicle-stimulating biotin, and it’s color-safe. It’s also paraben-free, highly concentrated — and an Amazon best seller with more than 16,000 five-star reviews.
Sandalwood
For all my man folk out there (and any other human who loves a more masculine scent), the earthy, woodsy aroma of sandalwood has been proven to elevate mental clarity and may even ease stress. A 2006 study in the German medical journal Planta Medica revealed that sandalwood essential oil helped relieve participants’ stress and depression, while also improving attentiveness.
Body Prescriptions
It’s been a long time since I laughed this hard over a product name but — outside being truly hilarious — this “man scrub” delivers serious exfoliating power, sloughing on dead skin and leaving behind a smooth, healthier, all-over-invigorating finish. I love it especially for when my body feels dry and my skin feels tight in winter. The packaging is slick and the sandalwood scent is musky, but not overpowering. For any body-product-curious gents in your life, this would make an excellent gift.
Method
Every time I look at this “Method Man” bodywash I want to use a deep, masculine voice and say “I’m just a man doing man stuff but I also like to smell nice and be clean!”
Again, a perfect gift for the masculine folks in your life, or — if they like to smell woodsy and also have soft, moisturized skin — the ladies too.
Eucalyptus
Body Restore
These potent shower steamers are somewhat famous on Amazon, where they’ve currently garnered nearly 15,000 5-star reviews.
“Love!” wrote one enthusiastic fan. “I’m obsessed with these. The price is great. They actually last a whole shower. I just put them where the water will touch them but not under the direct stream. They smell amazing and saved my life during a head cold. On hard days I throw them in and they turn my shower into a self-care relaxation moment. Safe to say, I will always have these on hand.”
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The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
