Numerous strategies exist to help individuals escape singlehood, from flirting in the right settings to using dating apps like Tinder. A recent trend focuses on pheromone-infused perfumes, which claim to enhance attraction through scent. Dermatologist Karan Lal explains that pheromones are non-verbal biological signals that can elicit responses among individuals. However, a Cosmopolitan editor, Beth Gillette, found that despite applying such a perfume daily, it did not improve her dating prospects, suggesting that confidence is ultimately more appealing.
To break free from being single, there are countless strategies to meet and maintain a connection with a soulmate. This can range from flirting in appropriate settings to utilizing dating apps. Hundreds of these platforms have emerged, from the classic (like Tinder) to the more unique, catering to specific types of people. Another option is to focus on one’s appearance, but not in the way most might initially think.
Our appearance isn’t just about trendy outfits and grooming. It also encompasses all of our senses, including smell. While many believe that simply smelling good is enough, certain fragrances carry particular meanings and can elicit different reactions. Professionals in scent have recognized this. Recently, perfumes infused with pheromones have been developed, claiming to draw men in like moths to a flame. But do they really work?
What Exactly Are Pheromones?
Pheromones are described as a form of biological, non-verbal communication, according to dermatologist Karan Lal, MD, from Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale. He explains, “These are scents emanating from bodily fluids such as sweat, urine, and breast milk from mothers, which are released from the body and involuntarily trigger certain responses in members of the same species.” In some animal species, pheromones can serve to repel predators, while in others (like humans), they can help attract a mate.
This is why everyone has a unique scent. “Many women find men more attractive after they’ve exercised, partly because of their sweat-induced body odor,” Dr. Lal notes. Typically, pheromone-infused perfumes are composed of essential oils designed to influence your natural scent chemistry, either mimicking or enhancing your body’s pheromones, potentially boosting your sexual appeal. One of the most popular on TikTok were the Pure Instinct Pheromone Perfumes, as highlighted by a user from Cosmopolitan.
Spoiler Alert: She’s Still Single
Beth Gillette, an editor at Cosmopolitan, decided to test this TikTok-famed product by applying it daily. She aimed to attract men at work, in restaurants, at the grocery store, during yoga classes, and even at work-related events. She applied it to her pulse points where fragrance is recommended to last longer (wrists, behind the ears, neck, and even the back of the knees).
Ultimately, after a month, she observed no significant changes. She noted that to smell the fragrance, one would have to be extremely close to her, an interaction that typically doesn’t occur with strangers. Thus, it may work better with those already in a relationship or those with whom one has close interactions, like in Latin dance classes. In her final assessment, she concluded that even with the pheromone perfumes, there wasn’t any notable effect. She advises that wearing a fragrance that makes you feel good is key, as self-confidence undeniably remains attractive.