Talking Scents: Relaxing Ingredients

Close your eyes and take a slow, deep breath.

The very act of mindful breathing works wonders for managing stress and calming our nerves, and adding soothing fragrances to the air we breathe takes relaxation to a whole new level.

So how exactly does a fragrance affect our mood? The part of your brain that processes scents also deals in emotions, so scent memory and emotional memory are intimately tied. We’ve all experienced this merging of the senses: maybe you catch a whiff of patchouli and you’re suddenly transported to a lazy summer day spent lounging on a sofa listening to records. Or the sweet scent of coconut takes your mind back to a peaceful tropical vacation spent sipping cocktails and basking in the sun.

Because scents are so closely tied to memory, a relaxing scent means something a little different to everyone. We’ve chosen a few of our favorite relaxing aromas, but it’s up to you to sniff out your favorites!

Florals: bouquets of relaxation

When we think about relaxing scents, gentle floral aromas like lavender, rose and chamomile often spring to mind—and with good reason! Research shows that smelling lavender oil promotes relaxation and helps us to fall into a deep sleep— lovely for those among us that need a little extra help unwinding after a busy day.

Our dreamy lavender-tonka Twilight Bath Bomb is perfect for those moments when you really need an escape from the stresses of the outside world. Follow it up with a our Sleepy Body Lotion before getting into bed for a soporific top-up! And whether you're at home or on the go, a spritz with our rose and lavender Eau Roma Water toner will do wonders to calm your mood.

Honey I Washed The Kids Soap.

Sweet and comforting

Imagine catching a whiff of a rich, sweet vanilla scent—maybe it’s a waffle cone filled with French vanilla ice cream or a freshly baked cupcake with sugary buttercream icing. These fragrances (although delicious) can also inspire feelings of comfort and relaxation, bringing to mind the warm and fuzzy feeling of being nurtured and cared for.

Some of our sweetest, most comforting inventions also happen to be our most popular ones! Our Honey I Washed The Kids Soap has a rich honey-caramel perfume that’s both soothing and softening for your skin, and relaxing for your mind; and our Butterball's delicate vanilla and tonka perfume is lovely for delivering a soothing wave of relaxation to your mind while keeping your skin feeling soft and smooth too.

Woodsy and earthy

There’s a certain sense of calm that can come from a peaceful walk through the woods. Earthy fragrances like sandalwood, frankincense and patchouli often evoke feelings of neutrality and calm, and help keep things grounded amidst the hectic chaos of our day-to-day lives.

When things get a little overwhelming, sinking into a tub full of earthy, meditative bubbles is the perfect remedy for overactive minds. Lie back in the tub with our Blue Skies And Fluffy White Clouds Bubble Bar and you’ll instantly feel the grounding powers of patchouli and frankincense releasing the stresses of the day and leaving you feeling mellow and serene.