As it turns out, matcha isn’t just reserved for a daily caffeine fix—the best matcha perfumes are trending too. In recent years, the broader matcha craze has swept much of the Western world—despite the powdered tea being a cornerstone of Japanese culture for centuries—with demand climbing so high that shortages and rising prices have followed. For those who may need a quick refresh (or have perhaps been living under a rock), matcha is powdered green tea leaves, an ancient process that yields a tea with higher caffeine, amino acids, and antioxidant content.
“Matcha tea became the drink of choice for the self-care moment versus the jittery caffeinated boost of coffee,” Linda Levy tells Vogue. “So matcha fragrance is a natural extension of the lifestyle trend into wellness and beauty.” The earthy green tea note has quietly been gaining traction on the scent front, with a wave of new launches suggesting interest will not be dying down anytime soon.
Vogue’s Favorite Matcha Perfumes
Le Labo introduced its now–best-selling Thé Matcha 26 in 2021, followed by Maison Margiela’s cult-favorite Matcha Meditation, which has since been (sadly!) discontinued. With the former sitting at a prestige price point and the latter no longer on shelves, many fragrance fans have been left searching for new ways to get their fix of the calming, slightly creamy green tea note.
Five years later, the landscape looks quite different. With perfume trends increasingly centered around layering and personalization, matcha is popping up in new formats and price points. Recent releases include Phlur’s Matcha Milk Body Mist, which debuted just last month, and Kayali’s Freedom Matcha Musk 45, released this past autumn—both offering fresh matcha-infused interpretations.
For your consideration, an edit of the best matcha perfumes to know, ranging from zen and woodsy to sweet gourmands.
Best Skin Scent: Le Labo Thé Matcha 26 Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: Since launching five years ago, Le Labo’s Thé Matcha 26 remains a bestseller for the brand—and a favorite scent of Vogue editors. Inspired by Japanese forests, Le Labo takes a more introspective approach, blending citrus, fig, and cedarwood. The result has nothing to do with a matcha latte, and instead reads as a breath of fresh air deep in the forest. This is a scent that doesn’t announce your presence upon entry, but instead hugs you intimately, close to the skin.
- Key Notes: Fig notes, bergamot, bitter orange, sesame notes, cedarwood, vetiver and matcha tea accord
- This Smells Like: A woodsy, creamy skin scent.