Melissa
Citrus

Melissa

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Note Profile

Botanical 15 perfumes

About

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) - a gentle, citrusy, herbal note with lemony-minty sweetness. Distinct from lemon verbena.

Scent Profile

Melissa, or lemon balm, presents a gentle, citrusy aroma with soft lemon and mint facets, accompanied by a subtle green-herbal undertone. Its scent is less sharp than pure citrus, offering a sweet, airy freshness that can evoke both lemon zest and delicate mint leaves. The note evolves to reveal a mild, slightly honeyed warmth as it dries down.

ScentWheel

Breadthfocused
EnvelopeTop · ~1h lasting
Family Fresh & Citrus, Green & Aromatic

Read off the wheel, not a label applied to the note.

What this is made of

Melissa names no single substance

A natural extract

Lemon balm. True melissa oil is real but extremely rare and we do not hold it; most 'melissa' in perfumery is a reconstruction over lemony materials. The material that would realise this note is Melissa oil; we do not hold it, so this edge names the gap rather than asserting a reconstruction.

How the layers join

Origin

Melissa officinalis is a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean region. The essential oil is typically obtained through steam distillation of the fresh or partially dried leaves and flowering tops.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers use melissa primarily as a top note to impart a natural, uplifting citrus-herbal brightness. It blends well with other citrus, green, and floral notes, and can soften sharper citruses or add freshness to aromatic and fougère compositions.

Similar Notes

Aperol Aperol 2 Tansy Tansy 2 Apple Mint Apple Mint Mojito Mojito 4 Hyssop Hyssop 14 Absinth Absinth 75 Mint Mint 1410 Aqua Leaf Aqua Leaf 1

Perfumes featuring Melissa

A selection of reviewed perfumes where Melissa appears prominently.

Browse all 15 perfumes featuring Melissa