Esxence 2026: Top Fragrance Trends
Published 12 June 2026
Returning for its 16th edition, art perfumery trade show Esxence took place in Milan (June 3-6), centred on the theme ‘Sensing the World’. Creativity and experimentation were at the heart of showcased fragrances, with scents drawing on heritage, memory and the meaning of life presented amongst bold fragrance compositions and a play-off between warm and cool accords.
Novel Scent Blends
Warm Vs Cold
Meaningful Storytelling
Wellness-Led Formulas
More brands are exploring unconventional scent combinations, centring on surprising contrasts for elevated sophistication, ambiguity and play. Complex layering continues to appear, with musk at the core of many intriguing compositions this year. Meanwhile, softness is celebrated, bringing new expressions to typically heavy and rich scents.
More brands are exploring unconventional scent combinations, centring on surprising contrasts for elevated sophistication, ambiguity and play. Complex layering continues to appear, with musk at the core of many intriguing compositions this year. Meanwhile, softness is celebrated, bringing new expressions to typically heavy and rich scents.
A playful olfactory contrast between warm and cold emerged throughout the show, with new launches speaking to the intense heat of the summer season and the crisp frost of winter air. Warming and comforting spices were also noteworthy, offset with cool metallic accords bringing fresh sensory excitement.
Escapism, cherished moments, ancient folklore and beloved landscapes are at the centre of fragrances acting as portals to the past. The meaning of life and reflections on death also present exciting new directions for fragrance experiences.
Beyond playful and artistic experimentation, fragrance brands are levelling up and ensuring their formulas have wellness-forward credentials. Mood-boosting claims and skin-first textures are bringing edge to perfumery.
Esxence 2026: Top Fragrance Trends
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Esxence 2026: Top Fragrance Trends
Returning for its 16th edition, art perfumery trade show Esxence took place in Milan (June 3-6), centred on the theme ‘Sensing the World’. Creativity and experimentation were at the heart of showcased fragrances, with scents...