I Keep Hearing That I Smell Good—This Is the "Unattractive" Fragrance I Rely On During Summer

      As a beauty editor who frequently writes about fragrances, I consider myself fortunate to own a fairly extensive collection of perfumes. My personal favorites tend to be creamy vanilla scents and light, airy fragrances, but a quick look at my constantly expanding collection shows a variety of fragrance families, including crisp green options, watery aquatic scents, and even some more unconventional notes like sweet banana. Another unique note I have in my collection is citronella, a fragrant and slightly zesty grassy scent that is often paired with lemongrass, which is commonly found in top citrus perfumes as well as more niche fragrance blends. While both citronella and lemongrass are indeed pleasantly distinctive in scent, there's an additional reason I include them in my summer perfume lineup. Many fragrance experts believe that these notes help repel bugs and insects, so I often choose fragrances containing them on hot sunny days or when preparing my favorite vacation perfumes.

      Does Citronella Really Deter Insects?

      Having relied on citronella scents for their insect-repelling abilities for years, I thought it would be helpful to consult an expert to confirm their effectiveness in keeping bugs away. "Numerous essential oils are known to be effective at deterring insects during the summer months," explains Jo Kellett, aromatherapist expert at Tisserand Aromatherapy. "This is due to a chemical compound called citral, which most flying insects find unappealing. Essential oils rich in citral include lemongrass, may chang, lemon tea tree, and citronella." However, there are a few important points to consider. Though citronella perfumes may provide mild bug protection, they shouldn’t replace strong insect repellents. "It’s important to note that applying citronella essential oil directly to the skin is not advisable, as it may cause skin irritation,” says Jacob Grainger, perfumer and co-founder of Nosu. “[Also,] the commonly referred to 'citronella plant' (actually a type of scented geranium) has a similar scent but isn't particularly effective at repelling insects, although it's often grown in gardens for that purpose." Therefore, it's wise to closely examine the ingredients of your fragrance.

      The Best Citronella Perfumes

      If you thought citronella perfumes would lean towards the more practical side, think again. Surprisingly, when crafted well, citronella scents can be quite delightful. To illustrate this, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorites.

      Best overall citronella perfume: Diptyque Citronelle and Geranium Summer Body Spray (£50)

      Best long-lasting citronella perfume: Lush Love Perfume (£85)

      Best creamy citronella perfume: CRA-YON Continental Eau de Parfum (£75)

      Best travel-friendly citronella perfume: Commune Seymour Solid Perfume (£85)

      Best affordable citronella perfume: Neal's Yard Citronella Formula (£14)

      Diptyque Citronelle and Geranium Summer Body Spray

      Best overall citronella perfume

      Key notes: Lemongrass, lemon, eucalyptus, neroli, geranium

      As a luxurious option, I highly recommend Diptyque's summer body spray. Composed of a blend of lemongrass, lemon, and eucalyptus, all derived from essential oils, I find it to be a potent insect repellent that has a fragrance reminiscent of sweet dry grass and wildflowers on a sunny day.

      Lush Love Perfume

      Best long-lasting citronella perfume

      Key notes: Lemongrass, cinnamon, red apple, bergamot, rose, jasmine

      Bright, vibrant, and powerful, Lush's Love takes you on an aromatic journey. It starts with a sharp note of lemongrass (the oil, mind you) that is soon joined by softer floral notes from rose and jasmine. Eventually, it develops a subtly sweet quality, but don’t expect a sugary or gourmand scent; this is firmly a citrus fragrance. Think sherbet lemon instead of lemon meringue pie, and you'll start to get the picture.

      CRA-YON Continental Eau de Parfum

      Best creamy citronella perfume

      Key notes: Ylang-ylang, cypress, lemon, mint, lemongrass, leather, amber

      If you're looking for a lemongrass scent that doesn’t lean too heavily on citrus, CRA-YON's Continental is an ideal option. While it retains that herbal, slightly medicinal aroma from the lemongrass and mint, it feels much softer than the other fragrances in this selection due to the addition of smooth leather, musk, and amber notes. It’s sharp yet slightly smoky, with a comforting creaminess underlying everything.

      Commune Seymour Solid Perfume

      Best travel-friendly citronella perfume

      Key notes: Grapefruit, lemongrass, geranium, lavender, clary sage, cypress

      If you haven’t yet tried solid perfumes, now is the time to do so. They are easy to travel with, apply,