Ingredient Guide
Also known as melissa or by the Japanese name kōsuihakka, lemon balm is characterized by a scent resembling mint together with a lemon-like aroma.
Interestingly, it attracts honeybees and is apparently sometimes used by beekeepers. This is because lemon balm contains chemicals similar to the pheromones a queen bee releases to make the hive feel safe and comfortable. Melissa, its botanical name, means honeybee in Greek.
What Does It Smell Like in Perfume?
In perfume, melissa, or lemon balm, is a fresh herbal citrus that layers bright lemon with hints of green leaves and rose. The natural essential oil distilled from Melissa officinalis reveals a facet reminiscent of fresh rose petals beneath its powerful lemon opening. Lemon balm reco is a blend of synthetic fragrance materials that recreates a scent suggestive of green notes, rose, citronella, and verbena. The natural oil brings botanical complexity, while the reconstruction contributes a clearly defined freshness, making a light connection with floral and herbal scents.
Choosing Lemon Balm Fragrances
If you want leafy greenness alongside a lemon-like scent, lemon balm can be a useful starting point. Juniper and cypress bring coniferous notes into the fragrance; musk or resins suit those who also enjoy a softer drydown.
Fragrances to Explore
El Dorado (Scout Dixon West)
Lemon balm is paired with juniper and cypress, leading into rosemary, vetiver, labdanum, cedar and other notes. Lemon balm surrounded by conifers and herbs.
Find Your Next Fragrance
To explore more fragrances through the notes you enjoy, open our Fragrance Finder. Choose “Favorite fragrances & notes”, then search under “Favorite notes”. Select from the suggestions shown and press “Next”. You can start with notes even if you do not have a favorite fragrance.
