What Does Hinoki Smell Like? A Guide to the Woodsy Scent
What Does Hinoki Smell Like? Here's a Guide to the Sacred Japanese Wood Scent
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Hinoki is one of those scents that once you smell it, it's forever stuck in your brain — it's so subtle but strangely intoxicating. Also known as Japanese cypress, hinoki is a tree native to Japan and is often used to construct sacred buildings — think: shrines and temples — there. It's also naturally antibacterial and doesn't break down with humidity, meaning it's often the building blocks for Japanese bathhouses and onsen (hot spring baths) buildings — and when the steam hits the wood, it releases its signature earthy aroma.
The smell of hinoki is sort of otherworldly; it evokes a sense of deep calm, like when walking through a crisp fragrant forest. It's often associated with relaxation and meditation, and is rich, woodsy, and smooth without being overpowering. It's definitely a unisex fragrance — not too floral or citrusy, and not too spicy or musky. It skews a bit piney but is decidedly gender neutral.
While hinoki oil is most often found in bath salts and soaks, it also has some serious skin benefits. A 2015 study done on mice showed that hinoki oil could help alleviate atopic dermatitis, and like many other coniferous plants (pine, fir, and spruce trees), Japanese cypress oil has been found to help promote hair growth and improve scalp health because of its antifungal properties.
Plus, because hinoki is so highly prized both in Japan and around the world, the tree is actually considered a near threatened population, so when looking for products, you'll want to check for an indication that the hinoki was sustainably sourced. With that in mind, we rounded up some of our favourite Japanese- and American-made products containing hinoki.
Le Labo Hinoki Hair Mask
The hinoki products in the Le Labo body- and hair-care line were inspired by the Japanese Buddhist temples of Mount Koya, which are surrounded by a forest of hinoki trees. The Le Labo Hinoki Hair Mask ($40) is truly the most luxurious of their offerings and also contains spirulina extract and coconut oil for deep conditioning.
Hinoki Deitanseki Facial Cleansing Foam
The Hinoki Deitanseki Facial Cleansing Foam ($26.50) is a favourite in Japan, and blends hinoki oil with charcoal (another widely used beauty ingredient in Japan) to pick up dirt, oil, and makeup.
AMAYORI Hinoki Onsen Aromatic Body Wash
The AMAYORI Hinoki Onsen Aromatic Body Wash ($30) is meant to transport you to the bathhouses of Japan and help you soak in the relaxing ritual. Geranium, jasmine, red mandarin, and vetiver round out the luxurious scent.
Flamingo Estate Hinoki Hand Sanitizer
Since hand sanitizer isn't going anywhere anytime soon, you might as well have one that smells good while killing germs. The Flamingo Estate Hinoki Hand Sanitizer ($17) blends hinoki oil with other botanicals from their Los Angeles garden, like rosemary and eucalyptus — plus 70 percent alcohol.
Wonder Valley Hinoki Body Oil
If you want supersoft skin that smells incredible, turn to the Wonder Valley Hinoki Body Oil ($85). The luxurious oil uses the brand's signature EVOO as the base, with the addition of hinoki oil and Siberian fir oil.
Boy Smells Hinoki Fantôme Candle
Want your home to smell just as sumptuous as your hair and skin? Boy Smells Hinoki Fantôme Candle ($32) brings the vibe inside. It's extremely woodsy — cedarwood, hinoki, and fir balsam are the base notes — with hints of sweet jasmine and spicy cardamom. It's the ideal candle to light before meditating.
Comme Des Garçons x Monocle Scent One: Hinoki
For a true-to-life perfume, Comme Des Garçons x Monocle Scent One: Hinoki ($120) delivers. As the Monocle site says: "The inspiration for Hinoki comes from a perfectly still, slightly chilly spring morning spent soaking in an indoor/outdoor tub at the Tawaraya in Kyoto."
Limbic Beauty Hinoki Dehydrated Sea Minerals
Sprinkle the Limbic Beauty Hinoki Dehydrated Sea Minerals ($36) into your bath for the most relaxing soak you've ever experienced. Hinoki cypress grounds and centres, while bright yuzu citrus invigourates.
Le Labo Hinoki Body Cream
Another lovely pick from the Le Labo line, the Le Labo Hinoki Body Cream ($46) is just what your skin is dreaming of on chilly winter days. It's thick and buttery, leaving your skin feeling extra nourished — and it allows you to bring along the subtle hinoki scent wherever you go.
Nippon Kodo Kayuragi Japanese Cypress 40 Sticks w/ Incense Holder
Straight from Japan's largest incense manufacturer, the Nippon Kodo Kayuragi Japanese Cypress 40 Sticks ($11.50) bring the delicate scent into your home with fragrant smoke.
