9 best clean perfumes that feel modern, minimalist and quietly luxurious

A guide to clean and aldehydic perfumes

As mentioned, aldehydes are an essential ingredient in many iconic clean scents. If you consider yourself a fan of the fragrance family, you may have noticed them listed among the notes in your favourite perfumes. “Aldehydes are synthetic molecules that add a sparkling, clean, and sometimes slightly metallic quality to fragrances,” explains Moeglin. “Perfumes built around aldehydes often feel effervescent, elegant, and diffusive, famously showcased in classics like Chanel No. 5. Interestingly, aldehydes can also be found naturally in raw materials such as flowers, spices, and citrus fruits.”

She adds that, depending on their structure, aldehydes can bring different qualities to a scent: crisp and sparkling, like champagne bubbles or citrus zest; soapy and clean, evoking fresh linen or just-showered skin; or waxy and creamy, reminiscent of warm candlelight on skin.”They create a sense of space and brightness around a fragrance, making it feel polished and luminous,” she says.

Ahead, we’ve outlined the very best clean perfumes to spritz in 2025, including some modern and classic scents to add to your autumn rotation.

9 of the best clean perfumes to try for autumn 2025

” data-next-head/>