NewBeauty Facebook Pinterest Instagram Youtube find a doctor Face Adult Acne Antioxidants Anti-Aging Celebrity Chronic Skin Conditions Eye Hydration Hyperpigmentation Makeup View All Eyebrows Eye Color Foundation Fragrance Lip Color Makeovers Male Skin Care Peels Pre-Event Prep Sensitive Skin Skin Care Skin Health Smile Sun Care Treatments Fillers Microneedling Post-Procedure Skin Care Neurotoxins Regenerative Aesthetics Skin Lifting Body Body Sculpting Breasts Butts Cellulite Hair Removal Hands + Nails Legs Pregnancy Find a Doctor Hair Bond Repair Celebrity Dry Hair Frizzy Hair Gray Hair Hair Color Hair Growth Hair Repair Scalp Health Styling + Tips Awards NB100 Awards 15th Annual Beauty Awards 2025 NewBeauty Readers’ Choice Awards Shopping Gift Guides Product Reviews NewBeauty Storefront Wellness Fitness GLP-1s Health Menopause About Us TESTTUBE Search for: Search HomeMakeupFragrance Why Oud Smells So Expensive—and the Best Perfumes That Prove It From its rare roots to modern formulations. By Linne Halpern and Jessica Fields Updated: Feb 4, 2026 We may earn commission from links on this page. Each product featured has been vetted and chosen by our editors. In This Article Featured ExpertsWhat Is Oud?Why Are Oud Perfumes Pricier Than Other Scents? What Is Synthetic Oud? What Does Oud Smell Like?Oud Perfumes to Try Spend enough time reading up on fragrance—or wandering a fragrance department—and you’re bound to hear the term “oud” tossed around. The word itself oozes seduction and mystique, but many people don’t actually know what it means. In fragrance, oud is one of nature’s rarest botanical ingredients—so scarce, in fact, that it’s rarely used in its pure form. Instead, expert perfumers recreate the essence of oud using a blend of high-quality oils that capture its signature woody warmth and sweetness. While many popular fragrance brands offer their own interpretations, not all oud perfumes are created equal. Ahead, everything you need to know about this…

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