Water-Based Perfumes Are the Perfect Summer Scent: 7 Airy Options That Won’t Overpower

White florals are made infinitely fresher, dewier, and more luminous than the likes of tuberose or gardenia in Dior J’adore’s Chinese magnolia and jasmine blend. Each spritz opens with a lively introduction of neroli, before settling warmly into a dreamy, timeless scent which lingers in your wake, even hours after application.

UNI’s aptly named offering may feel predictably water-based, but notes of rain and pollen are comparatively unconventional. When elevated with graceful, comforting peony and lilac, then grounded in an earthy, botanical oakmoss and vetiver base, Rain feels both atmospheric and reminiscent of a late summer shower.

Though almond milk and vanilla certainly add a gourmand touch to this body mist, it appears more “creamy floral” than dessert-like on clean skin. With the help of honeyed orange blossom, soft musk, and cashmere-like woods, this Positano Vanilla is destined for those seeking a radiant scent that is easily refreshed throughout the day.

From Parisian fragrance house Officine Universelle Buly, this luxury apothecary-inspired fragrance is well worth the investment if your tastes lean toward crisp, modern green scents. While a cooling cucumber and sweet mint pairing deliver a clean, minimalistic effect, the addition of musk feels serene and weightless, even in the peak of summer.

Radiant holiday fragrances rarely feel more sophisticated than NUXE’s golden Sun Delicious Fragrant Water. Composed with 91 percent natural ingredients alongside juicy orange, velvety coconut, and sensual musk, this escapist scent evokes tropical beach days and feels like sunshine, bottled.