Sweet, sweet sugar. What’s not to love? But we’re not talking about eating it—we’re talking about wearing it.

Most commercial fragrances are made with something called SD 40, which is made with ethanol that's typically fermented from corn. But Skylar scents are made using organic cane alcohol, which is derived from sugar cane. What’s the difference?

1. For one, cane alcohol is way more environmentally friendly than corn-based alcohols. An acre of sugar cane produces double the amount of alcohol than corn does, which means you don’t need as much land to produce the same quantities. It’s also energy efficient and cost effective. Win-win.

2. Organic sugar cane alcohol is even better. Since it’s distilled from cane sugar that was grown without any pesticides or fertilizers, there’s no fear of any of these chemicals ending up in, or on, your body. We can probably all agree that worry-free breathing is what we all deserve.

3. In order to be certified as organic, not only must the cane sugar itself be grown without chemicals, but the production methods used for distilling cane alcohol mustn’t result in pollutants that harm the environment. Conventional alcohol production can leave a trail of residues that infiltrate the soil, water, or air. You never have to worry about that with organic cane alcohol.

That’s why we’re so sweet on organic cane alcohol. It’s the perfect base for our luscious, natural, hypoallergenic scents, and the fact that it’s better for the earth is just icing on the cane. Curious about how Skylar? Try our scents today.

We get it. The hunt for your signature scent is personal, and once you find it, it's hard to let go. But while traditional perfumes smell good, they're far from being good for you. Here are 5 reasons to go clean.

1. Clean ingredients

We’re committed to using the highest-quality ingredients and work with sustainable farms all over the world to get the best crops.

We proudly blend botanical-based and lab-made ingredients to ensure our products are always safe and hypoallergenic. 

2. Fragrance allergies are nothing to sneeze at.

The side effects of fragrance allergies are no joke: headaches, sneezing, watery eyes, runny or stuffy nose, itchy red skin, the list goes on. The shocker? Almost all fragrances—synthetic AND natural—are allergenic. It is estimated that 15% of all people have some sort of an allergic reaction toward traditional fragrances.

Our philosophy is to use natural ingredients as much as possible, and if the natural ingredient causes allergies, we replace it with a hypoallergenic and safe lab-made ingredient. Combining natural ingredients with safe science, the end product is something that you can wear with peace of mind, and the people around you will thank you, too.

3. More parabens, more problems.

Let’s talk parabens. The widely used preservatives are in tons of personal care and cosmetic products as a means of preventing bacterial growth (plus they’re super cost effective), but scientific studies have pointed out a link between parabens and breast cancer. That’s a big problem.

Parabens are off limits here. Instead, Skylar perfumes contain a base of organic sugar cane alcohol, which is a natural antibacterial (and another reason to love sugar).

4. Phthalates. If you can’t pronounce it, it shouldn’t be on your skin.

Fact: phthalates are in most scented products because they serve as cheap solvents and make fragrances last longer. The bad news: they’ve also been known to be hormone disrupters for over 70 years, with many studies linking phthalates to breast cancer and negative impacts on children’s development and men’s health. Phthalates are easily spread through the air and breathed in, and they're sometimes hidden from ingredient labels.

That’s just not good enough. We think everyone deserves better than that. Skylar scents contain no phtalates and never will. We’re like a breath of fresh air, literally.

5. We’re feel-good and cruelty-free.

When you think of things that smell good, we’re going to guess beavers, deer, and guinea pigs don’t spring to mind. But some perfumeries still use by-products from these and other animals to formulate their proprietary scents. And most global beauty companies then test their perfumes on animals to pass import restrictions so they can distribute in certain countries. It’s dated, it’s cruel, and it’s unnecessary.

So while it means you’ll never see Skylar for sale in certain countries, you can rest assured that we never use animal by-products and we never test on animals (unless you count our staff and our friends, which is debatable). With a vast trove of plant-based ingredients to select from, we’re happy to keep delivering fresh, light, and delicious scents to your door. You can even sample all of our scents without ever leaving your home. 

Can’t get enough pumpkin spice everything? Us, too. It might be because the scent—familiar but complex, warm and cozy—reminds us a lot of our bestselling Skylar fragrance this season, Arrow.

In addition to our perfume, if you’re looking for more ways to add a little spice to your beauty routine and make your senses tingle, try our favorite all-natural DIYs featuring pumpkin to make your skin look as delicious as it smells. The virtues of this seasonal squash go far beyond its tastiness—it’s chock full of vitamins and antioxidants that’ll do your body good inside and out.

Pumpkin Face Mask
Adapted from Beautylish 
Benefit: exfoliate with pumpkin enzyme

2 tbsp canned pumpkin puree
1/2 tsp honey
1/2 tsp milk
1/8 tsp cinnamon (optional, but we like it for its acne-fighting properties)

Directions:
1. Start with a makeup-free, freshly washed face.
2. Combine all ingredients.
3. Use your fingers to apply the mask, avoiding the eye area. Let set for 20 minutes.
4. Gently rinse and follow with your moisturizer of choice.

Pumpkin Spice Lip Balm
Adapted from DIY Natural
Benefit: nourish with vitamins and antioxidants  

1 ounce pumpkin seed oil
1 ounce coconut oil
0.7 ounces beeswax
1/2 - 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (adjust to taste)
lip balm tins

1. Mix all ingredients in a glass vessel.
2. Heat on a double boiler until beeswax is melted.
3. Remove from heat and let cool slightly, stirring occasionally. The lip balm will harden as it begins to cool.
4. Pour into lip balm tins as mixture starts to thicken.
5. Cool fully before placing lids on tins. Store in a cool, dry place.

Yay! You’ve found our clean, hypoallergenic and cruelty-free fragrance line (say that 10 times fast!). You'll never find phthalates or parabens anywhere near a Skylar product—ever. What does that mean for you? Peace of mind to go along with our clean scents.

Because of our light and clean formula, Skylar may wear a little differently from mainstream fragrances you’re used to, so say goodbye to being overpowered by intense (not to mention chemical-wrought and allergy-causing) perfume. Want to know our secrets to long-lasting scents? Follow these tips from our in-house fragrance experts. You can thank us later.

1. If You Build It...

Our fresh and light formula means you wear the scent (and not the other way around). It also means it’s buildable. Spray one on in the morning before you start your day, layer in a spritz of another before dinner, and you’ve got yourself a customized signature scent that mingles perfectly with your body’s natural chemistry.

2. Hair to Stay

Spray a little Skylar on your fingers, then run your hands through your hair. Hair is a great scent carrier since it doesn’t produce body heat, which is what burns fragrance off the skin. Avoid spraying perfume directly in the hair as that can be drying; put a dab on the fingers to allow some of the alcohol to burn off first, and then your hair will hold the scent.

3. Spritz Your ‘Fit

Clothes hold scent well, too. Skylar scents are clear in color and free of artificial dyes, so they will not stain your clothes. We recommend spritzing a little in the air and walking through the mist. You’ll be kissed with fragrance, not overwhelmed by it. And don't worry, the scent comes right out in the wash.

Want to find out which Skylar natural fragrance suits you best? Take our quiz and try our Sample Palette.

Have you wondered why the smell of homemade banana bread transports you back to your grandmother’s kitchen circa 1996? Or why the smell of coconut suntan lotion makes you instantly smile because your back on the beach during spring break with your best girlfriends?

As scent connoisseurs, the team at Skylar has been curious about the undeniable connection between scents and the emotions and memories they seem to conjure from thin air.

Is there a proven association between the two that would rationalize what we’ve all experienced at some point in our lives?

As it turns out, there absolutely is.

THE OLFACTORY SYSTEM, AKA THE “EMOTIONAL BRAIN”

On a very basic level, it works something like this: 

Scent has been proven to be more directly linked to memory than any of our other senses. It makes sense, then, that it has the capacity to forge strong bonds and intimate associations, both positive and otherwise. This tendency is found in even our most primitive ancestors and is associated with an ancient part of our biology related to survival instincts about what to eat, where to go, and who to trust. 

Your "emotional brain," or limbic system, is a harbor for all kinds of sensory information that it uses to influence your mood, memory, behavior, and emotions. When you smell anything, it makes a B-line for this "processing center," which sorts its relationship to existing associations with feelings and thoughts.

Functionally, that means that each time you smell a new scent, your mind subconsciously links that scent to a certain event, person, or circumstance. Every time you smell that scent afterward, your mind is hardwired to bring you back to that place, person, or experience.

HOW SCENT COMPELS US

So smell is, by nature, highly associative. That’s a big part of why we all prefer different scents for reasons that are unique and not easily defined.

Because smell is highly emotional, wearing certain scents can evoke a specific emotion in the people around you. Of course, what emotion it inspires is highly subjective.

It’s no wonder fragrance is such a subtle yet potent part of style. Much like the difference between wearing grey or bright red, or your hair in beachy waves versus a ballerina bun, each scent is creating connections and informing the perception of who you are and what you communicate to the people around you.

FIND WHAT SPEAKS TO YOU

The scents that speak to us feel almost instinctive — an amalgam of our unique biology and experiences. So while it’s tempting to spring for a world-famous fragrance, or the trendy one that's a supposedly an undeniable aphrodisiac, you’re probably better off listening to your heart (and nose) on this one.

After all, your scent is something others subliminally associate with you, so it should feel authentic. Just like any other part of your life, it should reflect you in a true sense. 

Plus, it’s kind of fun to know that whoever you attract is almost undoubtedly attracted to that part of you. They have an association, or some deep biological urge, that draws them to you. At least you know that the two of you have that in common!

We’ll leave you this parting thought: Selecting a scent new to the market almost guarantees that you’re breathing some fresh life into your routine. Not to mention, there’s zero chance your mate already associates that fragrance with a past life. Better yet, consider wearing it on a bucket list vacation, so you'll never forget the time you enjoyed together. We’d be lying if we said that wasn’t worth something. ;)

We’ve all been there. You get a little too stressed for a little too long, only to find that copious amounts of coffee or a night with Netflix isn’t enough to balance the scales. Behind the scenes is a clear signal: Your inner voice is letting you know that it’s time to slow down, take note, and unplug. This is especially true for those of us who spend much of our time nurturing (children, co-workers, even a passion-fueled job). When we feel ourselves needing a big change, sometimes what we need more than anything is actually a little space and self-care.

But let’s be honest — we all understand this on a theoretical level, while we’re not the best at practicing it. Carving out time for ourselves can be a hard thing to do in our crazy busy lives. Especially if you have little ones counting on you on a daily basis. According to Lorna Bernstein, Founder and CEO of online wellness network Grokker, self-care is not only important, but essential.

We promise, sneaking an extra fifteen minutes of that podcast or scheduling weekly Skypes with your friends, isn’t slacking (nor is it an indulgent luxury). It’s a must-do that everyone deserves. With that in mind, we compiled a few of our fave Skylar ways to give the gift of me-time to your gal pals and, of course, yourself:

Nothing says “I love you” like brunch. If there’s a woman in this world who doesn’t fall head over heels for a good brunch, we want to meet her. Stopping by early on a Sunday morning with a bag of groceries and an “I’ve got this” look on your face is definitely at the top of our list of gifting moments we’re grateful for. Check out these fresh recipes for some culinary inspo.

Get more out of life by “going in.” Meditation may once have been reserved for Zen artists and Himalayan yogis, but those days are over. Whether your loved one has a dedicated practice or struggles to sit still for more than a few minutes, there are simple, useful ways (did we mention, free?) to get started. In fact, there’s an app for that. You can start them off with a 10-day free trial at Headspace or they can enjoy the free guided courses on Simple Habit.

Release some tension. Giving a massage, whether yourself or by buying a gift card, is almost always a welcome gift. It’s also perfect because it’s one of those things that many of us don’t think to do for ourselves.

Take the kids off their hands. For busy parents, of course. It’s honestly amazing how a couple hour break helps us show up in a bigger way when we are with the people we love. Give an open invitation for a date do whatever the littles need or want in that moment — even if it’s just a peaceful walk or solo movie. Bonus: Hanging out with children and living at their pace can definitely make you feel like a kiddo again, which has its restorative benefits too!

A really good, inspiring book. A little perspective can go a long way, especially when it’s peppered over the course of many cozy evenings. A good book to curl up with for each night before bed helps us escape, gain perspective, and rest. Not to mention, it’s a proven fact that reading fiction is actually good for you.

A free pass on household chores for the week. There’s something in particular about gifts of service, probably because time is often the most precious thing any of us have. If you’ve ever ready Gary Chapman’s Five Love Languages, you know that for many of us, gifts of service are also seen as one of the top ways to express love.

As for which one is the right way to go, that’s something you’ll have to intuit for yourself. Chances are, you already know. You might just have to do a little “listening in” yourself.

Happy replenishing!