Best Bath & Body Works
Bath & Body Works is known for tons of fragrances. And when we say tons, we actually mean more than 100 fragrances—plus, there are new ones launching all the time, thanks to an ever-expanding selection of seasonal options. And while yes, you may associate Bath & Body Works scents with your middle school days (please tell us we weren’t the only ones dousing ourselves in Cucumber Melon body mist after gym class), today’s fragrance portfolio is not only extensive but also much more sophisticated than you may initially think. The best part? Not only is there a scent to fit every preference, but most of them come in a variety of formats, from three-wick candles to body wash, lotion, and hand sanitizer—all included in our roundup ahead.
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Our best overall Bath & Body Works scent pick is Butterfly Fine Fragrance Mist, which adds floral and fruity notes to a vanilla base for a profile that’s sweet, but not cloying. This scent is also available as body care and as a candle. We also love the White Tea & Sage Foaming Hand Wash, which features a herbaceous blend of clean woodsy botanicals balanced out with a dash of citrus. This scent also comes as a room spray and candle.
The sheer number of Bath & Body Works scent options can be truly dizzying, so we did the hard work to sniff out the top picks. We also include tips on how to choose the best scent for you—and what exactly makes the brand so special.
Ahead, find the best Bath & Body Work scents, from the most popular of all time, to underrated cult favorites.
Bath & Body Works
What We Like
Notes of raspberry nectar, iris petals, and vanilla make for a sweet scent that’s light and not overwhelming.
Scent has long-lasting staying power.
It comes in candles, fine fragrance mists, and body care products.
What We Don't Like
The raspberry and vanilla notes are faint compared to the main floral scent.
This bestselling classic is everything we love about the brand. It’s sweet, but not too sweet or cloying, and lightweight enough to layer, but still has longevity. This scent is featured in the fine fragrance mist, body care products, and candles, so you have tons of options if you stan it as much as we do. Its profile combines notes of raspberry nectar, iris, and vanilla, to smell like sweet candy in the best way possible.
Key Notes: Raspberry nectar, iris petals, and airy vanilla | Size: 8 fl oz.
Bath & Body Works
What We Like
Fresh herbal scent that isn’t too sweet.
Comes in a candle, hand soap, hand sanitizer, room fragrance, and hand cream.
Strong scent that isn’t overwhelming.
What We Don't Like
It can be too subtle for someone looking for a scent to immediately fill up the room.
This scent pairs herbaceous sage with notes of clean white tea for a fresh and invigorating profile that’s also grounding. The woodsy duo is balanced out by a touch of citrus bergamot that adds just the right amount of sweetness. We love it as a foaming hand soap, but it’s also great as a home scent—it comes in a candle and room fragrance. The hand sanitizer and hand cream options are also nice because the profile is not overpowering or saccharine.
Key Notes: Sparkling bergamot, white tea, and fresh sage | Size: 8.5 oz.
Bath & Body Works
What We Like
Fresh and cozy scent.
The candle lasts for hours.
What We Don't Like
Only comes in a candle and home fragrance.
Some reviewers find the candle too strong.
If you’ve ever wished that you could bottle up the scent of fresh laundry, this scented candle and home fragrance is for you. Its profile blends notes of cool linen, crisp tart apple, and soft musk evoking the scent of freshly laundered sheets. It immediately fills up a room whether you light up the candle or spritz the home fragrance and will linger for hours on end.
Key Notes: Cool linen, crisp tart apple, and soft musk | Size: 3-wick; 14.5 oz.
Bath & Body Works
What We Like
Warm scent mixes woodsy and spice.
Comes in a candle, home fragrance, and skin care.
Strong scent that lasts.
What We Don't Like
Reviewers note the candle and spray have different profiles.
One of the brand’s bestsellers, this scent is so popular that it often sells out. Its warm, woodsy, and spicy profile is especially suited for cooler weather and serves Autumn vibes. You can find it in a mix of home fragrance formats; there’s also a teakwood scent available in the men’s product line, which is very similar.
Key Notes: Rich mahogany, dark oak, and frosted lavender | Size: 1.5 oz.
Bath & Body Works
What We Like
Warm spicy scent sweetened with notes of coffee.
Comes in candles, colognes, fine fragrance mists, and body care products.
What We Don't Like
It’s pricier than other scents.
Don’t let the name of this one fool you—the woodsy, musk, and amber notes are balanced by an aroma of coffee, which will make your mouth water. We love wearing this cologne on evenings when the temperature dips to conjure a sensual mood that has bite, without being overly sweet.
Key Notes: Coffee and Irish whiskey | Size: 3.4 fl oz.
Bath & Body Works
What We Like
Eucalyptus and spearmint oil is calming.
Comes in many body care products as well as candles and home fragrances.
Strong but not overwhelming scent.
What We Don't Like
It’s been relaunched recently and reviewers note it doesn’t smell as good as the original.
When a full-on spa day isn’t in the cards, one whiff of any of the eucalyptus spearmint products is the next best thing. This bestseller is part of the brand’s aromatherapy line and is gives a clean, verdant, and oh-so-fresh aroma. We love that this also comes in everything from home fragrances to body products to shampoo and conditioner.
Key Notes: Eucalyptus oil and spearmint oil | Size: 6.5 oz.
Bath & Body Works
What We Like
Sweet, fruity scent is light and crisp.
It comes in fragrance mists and body care products.
Gingham packaging is adorable.
What We Don't Like
Reviewers note that the scent doesn’t last as long as they would like.
Made of red berries and rose meringue, this scent is sweet enough so that you get that fruity base without feeling overwhelmed by the sweetness. It also has notes of freesia to lighten up the strong sweet smell.
Key Notes: Sugared red berries, blushing freesia, and rose meringue | Size: 8 fl oz.
Bath & Body Works
What We Like
Aroma of champagne, citrus, and fruit is sweet without being overpowering.
It comes in candles, fragrances, hand sanitizers, and body care products.
What We Don't Like
Reviewers note new packaging isn’t as aesthetically pleasing as the older versions.
A true fan favorite, this is bubbly, sweet (though never cloying), and effervescent. Indeed, it's just like a glass of champagne. Whether you use it as a fine fragrance mist, body wash, hand cream, or hand sanitizer, it’s sure to be equally enjoyable.
Key Notes: Bubbly Champagne, sparkling berries, and juicy tangerine | Size: 8 fl oz.
Bath & Body Works
What We Like
Warm and sweet vanilla notes balance out the strong woodsy pine scent.
It has a strong and long-lasting staying power.
The artwork on the candle makes for cute home decor.
What We Don't Like
It only comes in a candle.
Yes, the balsam and evergreen combo of this candle is amazing for the holiday season, but it’s so good that you’ll want to burn it all winter long. The woodsy-ness of the pine, plus the sweetness of the vanilla is unique, but still familiar and cozy in the best way possible.
Key Notes: Fresh white pine and warm vanilla musk | Size: 7 oz.
Bath & Body Works
What We Like
Tropical white coconut mixed with saltwater and wood for a sweet scent that’s grounded.
Body care products are made with nourishing skin care ingredients such as vitamin E and aloe.
Scent is long-lasting.
What We Don't Like
It only comes in fine fragrance mists and body care products.
Tap into beachy summer vibes all year round with this favorite pick. It has notes of coconut, saltwater, and wood for a warm, fresh aroma reminiscent of a calming sea breeze.
Key Notes: Tropical white coconut, saltwater, and wood | Size: 10 fl oz.
Bath & Body Works
What We Like
Wild blooms bring a nice sweet floral twist to the warm velvet moss and plum notes.
Strong scent fills the room.
It comes in candles, body care products, and fine fragrance mists.
What We Don't Like
Reviews note this scent doesn’t last as long as others.
Aptly named, this scent is a fresh warm floral that smells exactly like a bouquet of flowers that you’d get from a farmer’s market. It’s balanced out with plum and velvet moss to give it that cozy feeling, perfect for fall.
Key Notes: Juicy plum, wild blooms, and velvet moss | Size: 14.5 fl oz.
Bath & Body Works
What We Like
Crisp citrus is lightened up by the water lily notes for a crisp and fresh smell.
Long lasting scent.
The lotion is packed with nourishing skin care ingredients such as vitamin E, shea butter, and aloe.
What We Don't Like
It only comes in body care products.
Crisp citrus is striking on its own as a fragrance note, but this is paired nicely with water lily to add some lightness and freshness. It only comes in body care products, which is fine because this is a scent you’ll want on your body all day long.
Key Notes: Crisp citrus and water lily | Size: 10 fl oz.
Final Verdict
Bath & Body Works offers a veritable cornucopia of different scents. Finding your favorite is obviously a matter of personal preference, but we’re partial to the White Tea & Sage Foaming Hand Wash, which features a herbaceous and fresh profile option. For something sweet, we love the Butterfly Fine Fragrance Mist, which is a floral and fruity take on vanilla.
What to Look for in a Bath & Body Works Scent
Longevity
How long a product lasts depends on what product you’re looking at. But if you want to prolong the scent on your body, we recommend layering by using the same scent in the cleanser, moisturizer, and mist.
The Format
The brand is well-known for offering its scents in both the home fragrance and personal fragrance space but not each scent comes in every type of product. So if you find a scent you love, just bear in mind that it may not come in both a candle and a body wash, necessarily (though many do).
Scent
If you’re able to, try out a scent before you purchase. You can also ask for mini-sized products that she says serve as great trial runs. Also, the smell of a certain fragrance might smell differently on you than it does in a candle (or even someone else). Even if you don’t like a fragrance on your skin, you still might love it in a candle. Part of the fun of the brand is to fgiure out which fragrances you prefer to wear and which you prefer to fill your home.
FAQ
What are the most popular fragrances at Bath & Body Works?
While you can’t really go wrong with any Bath & Body Work fragrances, there are a few that consumers keep coming back to. Champagne Toast, Eucalyptus Mint, Mahogany Teakwood, Japanese Cherry Blossom, and A Thousand Wishes are some of the most popular scents that are universally beloved. Our best overall pick, Butterfly, is also a fan-favorite.
Do Bath & Body Works scents last?
It depends on what type of scent you’re looking at. Candles can burn for approximately 25 to 45 hours (though she says you should never burn a candle longer than four hours at a time). Room sprays can fill a room with scent for up to two hours and their Wallflowers fragrances can last up to 30 days. When it comes to body care, the brand’s eau de parfum will last longer than a fine fragrance mist (you’ll find a higher concentration of fragrance oil than the mists).
Why Trust Byrdie?
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. A long-time Bath & Body Works fan, she always has a stash of the brand's candles at the ready.
Audrey Noble has over eight years of experience in the beauty industry, previously holding editorial positions at Vanity Fair, Allure, Byrdie, and Refinery29. Her work can be seen in Vogue, Harper’s BAZAAR, InStyle, WWD, Bustle, POPSUGAR, and more. A long-time Bath & Body Works enthusiast, she has the brand’s candles and home sprays within arm’s reach all over her apartment.