This wellbeing brand has just launched a functional fragrance that says it has testers falling asleep 74% faster. Our beauty editor tried it to see if it could improve her broken sleep…
Sleep is a big deal. Its importance in overall health and wellbeing is being recognised more than ever, sleep issues are being discussed openly, and there are now plenty of products on the market that say they help to improve your quality – and quantity – of zzzs. Including something unique that has just launched: a luxury evening eau de parfum that claims to give you a better night’s rest.
Wellbeing beauty brand This Works – whose bestselling pillow mist is a cult classic for a reason, and something that’s never not on my bedside table – has just launched its own eau de parfum, called Own Time, a smart science-first formula designed to not only smell great but also have a relaxing effect on the nervous system, aiding sleep.
Currently seven months pregnant, my sleep has been hugely disrupted over the last couple of months as I struggle to be comfortable, so I felt like I’m a good candidate to see if this perfume really works. Here’s what I found when I tried it…
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Firstly – and importantly when buying an £80 perfume – it smells really good. The fragrance notes are pink peppercorn, rose and lemon myrtle to start, a heart of cardamom, olibanum and cyclamen, and finishing with base notes of sandalwood, musk and incense. The result is a woody, ambery, slightly spicy blend that smells really luxe and elegant. There’s also something undeniably glamorous about spritzing on perfume before bed, à la Marilyn Monroe.
There’s clever scent technology at its heart too, created with leading neuroscientists. This Works has selected essential oils that contain terpenes, elements that interact with the brain and directly impact the autonomic nervous system, helping it to relax and destress.
And so did I notice any difference in my sleep? I honestly think that I did. I’m still waking up tossing and turning in the early hours, but it’s nearer to 5am when I use this perfume rather than 2am, and my sleep during the first half of the night feels deeper. There may be a slight element of placebo effect coming into play, but I do notice an improvement in my sleep when I spritz this on compared to when I don’t, and it has become part of my bedtime wind-down routine alongside spritzing my pillow with a sleep spray.
And I’m not the only one. In This Works’ own tests, 71% of people felt their sleep quality improved over a 28-day period, while 74% said they fell asleep faster.
If you’re keen to try the effects for yourself but don’t want to splash out on a full-size 80ml bottle, or want something more suitable for travel, This Works also sells Own Time in a set of two little 10ml bottles, currently reduced from £50 to £40.
Other than the This Works ones, other popular pillow mists that may help to relax your mind before bed include NEOM Perfect Night’s Sleep Mist, £25, and, for a cheaper option, The Body Shop Sleep Calming Pillow Mist, which is currently half price at £10.
