Now that we’re at the tail end of April, I can really feel the autumn temperatures starting to kick in. It’s been a pretty warm season here in Perth — up until last week, I was still living in my t-shirts and shorts! But over the weekend, I finally found myself reaching for my oversized sweaters and brewing endless cups of hot tea.
With the change in weather, I’ve noticed my scent preferences have shifted too. Lately, I’ve been craving warm, homely, woody blends over the fresh and zesty ones I loved in summer. So, I thought I’d share the five autumn essential oils that have been on rotation in my diffuser lately — each one bringing a little touch of cosiness into my everyday space.
1. Catherine Oil Burner Blend By Aesop
As the weather gets colder, I admit that my brain gets lazier. Sometimes all I want to do is avoid work, grab a blanket and bask in the autumn sun. Thankfully, Aesop’s Catherine Oil Burner Blend is the perfect refreshing pick-me-up during those days. I keep my diffuser on my work desk and whenever this scent fills the air, I find myself motivated to do creative tasks, especially on those dreary overcast autumn days. Note: Although it’s technically for oil burners, I’ve found it works fine in my diffuser.
Ingredients: Orange Rind, Cedarwood Atlas and Clove Bud.
2. Autumn by Karma Living
After a string of warm, woody scents, sometimes I just crave something a little lighter to clear my head. That’s where Autumn by Karma Living comes in. The zesty notes of lemongrass and lemon myrtle instantly lift my mood and remind me of those soothing honey and lemon cough drops from childhood. I love diffusing this one when I need to shake off the afternoon slump and really focus—it’s the perfect refreshing reset for study or work sessions.
Ingredients: May Chang, Patchouli, Lemon Myrtle, Lemongrass, Lime Cold Pressed, Rose Geranium and Cinnamon Leaf
3. Sweet Italian Orange and Lavender by Olio Bello
I discovered Sweet Italian Orange and Lavender by Olio Bello during a weekend getaway to Margaret River. After a long and delicious lunch under the autumn sun, I wandered into their little shop—and the scent that greeted me was love at first sniff. This fresh, citrusy blend is my go-to for those crisp and cool sunny days when everything feels a bit lighter. It always takes me back to that relaxed feeling of being on a slow, countryside road trip.
Ingredients: Lavender, Roman Chamomile and Sweet Italian Orange.
4. Forest Bathing by Perfect Potion
Ahh, this gorgeous scent takes me back to my stay at Kinnotake Tonosawa in Hakone, Japan! Normally, I’m not a big fan of very woody or earthy fragrances but Forest Bathing by Perfect Potion is an exception. As a matter of fact, I find the scent of hinoki wood in the blend to be really something special. It gives me a sense of sacredness and spirituality, making me feel like I’m literally forest bathing. Additionally, the blend creates a feeling of being grounded and connected to earth. This is perfect for those cool autumn days where you just want a serene escape from the chaos of everyday life.
Ingredients: Lemon, Black Spruce, Siberian fir, Pine, Blue Mallee Eucalyptus, Hinoki Wood, Virginian Cedarwood, Sage, Rosemary, Geranium and Vetiver Root.
5. Frankincense by eco. modern essentials
As the days get shorter and the evenings turn colder, I find myself reaching for my bottle of Frankincense from ECO. Modern Essentials. It’s especially good to have diffusing whilst practicing yoga on an autumn evening. Its warm, grounding scent fills the room with a calm stillness that feels just right. Some evenings, it’s all I need to practice a bit of mindfulness.
Ingredients: Boswellia serrata (Frankincense)
Final thoughts
I find it fascinating how our scent preferences shift with the seasons—it’s definitely something I want to explore more. For instance, during summer, I steer clear of woody or musky scents—I find them way too suffocating in the Perth heat! So, what are your thoughts and preferences on autumn essential oils? Got a favourite blend to add to the list? I’m always on the lookout for new scents to try!
