Photo of Bon Parfumeur 803 perfume bottle tangled in transparent blue glass vines with salt crystals on them. Black background.Photo of Bon Parfumeur 803 perfume bottle tangled in transparent blue glass vines with salt crystals on them. Black background
New Arrival

Bon Parfumeur 803

Sea Spray. Ginger. Patchouli.
Sample Now
Black and white illustration of a handsome anthropomorphized tiger in a regal uniform.
a brand new beast

ZOOLOGIST TIGER

Slinks onto skin, with a snarl.
Sample Now
Five of the Versatile parfum extrait bottles on a cement wall in front of the sea.Two Versatile parfum extrait bottles and three boxes, in a whimsical stack. Pale pink background.
Exquisite Extraits

Versatile Paris

Unisex perfume oils for all occasions.
Learn More
Image of three M+ perfume bottles by Escentric Molecules, on a black background with colorful circular graphics.Image of three M+ perfume bottles by Escentric Molecules, on a black background with colorful circular graphics.
Escentric Molecules

New M+ Scents

Starring black tea, guaiac wood & ginger.
Learn More
Photo of BORNTOSTANDOUT Burnt Roses white perfume bottle in front of deep red burning incense sticks, on a black background.Photo of BORNTOSTANDOUT Dirty Rice white perfume bottle on deep red background.
new must-smell brand

BORNTOSTANDOUT®

Direct from Seoul, South Korea
Explore

FEATURED COLLECTIONS

Photo of Disco perfume bottle by Zernell Gillie, on a glass cylinder pedestal in front of disco mirror balls.
New & Noteworthy
Best Selling Fragrances
Best Sellers
Spring Scents
ALL BRANDS

Exquisite Extraits

Versatile Paris

Olfactory snapshots of Parisian life — from coffee and croissants for breakfast to a late night interlude — realized in perfectly conceived extrait de parfums. Nomadic, unisex, modern oils that roll on with ease. A brand new must-try collection.

Discovery Set

NEW & NOTEWORTHY

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Dirty Rice by BORNTOSTANDOUT 50ml Eau de Parfum in a matte porcelain-white bottle with BTSO and Dirty Rice in crimson red uppercase bold typeface. Bottle is flared rectangular shape, with a flared, faceted, flat top.
Dirty Rice by BORNTOSTANDOUT alongside signature BTSO Dirty Rice porcelain-white box
Dirty Rice
A perfect, long-wearing woody musk skin scent
BORNTOSTANDOUT
$ 5.00 - $ 185.00
Drunk Saffron by BORNTOSTANDOUT 50ml Eau de Parfum in a matte porcelain-white bottle with BORNTOSTANDOUT® in black and Drunk Saffron in crimson red uppercase bold typeface. Bottle is flared rectangular shape, with a flared, faceted, flat top.
Bottle of Drunk Saffron by BORNTOSTANDOUT alongside signature BTSO crimson red box
Drunk Saffron
Juicy plum floats in cognac, coffee and vanilla
Samples out of stock.
BORNTOSTANDOUT
$ 5.00 - $ 185.00
Indecent Cherry by BORNTOSTANDOUT 50ml Eau de Parfum in a matte porcelain-white bottle with BORNTOSTANDOUT® in black and Indecent Cherry in crimson red uppercase bold typeface. Bottle is flared rectangular shape, with a flared, faceted, flat top.
Bottle of Indecent Cherry by BORNTOSTANDOUT alongside signature BTSO porcelain-white box
Indecent Cherry
Sweet and sour cherries with silky musk and amber
Samples out of stock.
BORNTOSTANDOUT
$ 5.00 - $ 185.00
Sex & Cognac by BORNTOSTANDOUT 50ml Eau de Parfum in a matte porcelain-white bottle with BORNTOSTANDOUT® in black and Sex & Cognac in crimson red uppercase bold typeface. Bottle is flared rectangular shape, with a flared, faceted, flat top.
Bottle of Sex & Cognac by BORNTOSTANDOUT alongside signature BORNTOSTANDOUT® crimson-red box
Sex & Cognac
A boozy blend of cognac, leather and oud
BORNTOSTANDOUT
$ 5.00 - $ 185.00
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66 products

get it on skin

Our perfume sample program

We're on a mission to bring independent fragrances into your wardrobe — the wild, weird and wonderful. The best way to learn what you love is to try scents on skin. Here's how:

1. Order $5 samples from our site (shipping is just $5).

2. Redeem the price of samples & shipping when you purchase full bottles of the scents you tried.

3. Wear your new fragrances with abandon.

Shop all brands

Spring Scents

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Rose Struck Eau de Parfum by Liis | 50ml Eau de Parfum in a rectangular, clear glass bottle with a matte-white spherical, ball shaped cap. Liis Rose Struck Eau de Parfum is printed on bottle in white, serif type.
Image for Liis Rose Struck fragrance with frozen pink roses and ice
Rose Struck
Outstanding dewy rose with delicious tangy fruits
Liis
$ 5.00 - $ 165.00
802: Peony, Lotus & Bamboo
Dewy peony-rose immersed in aquatic lotus
Bon Parfumeur
$ 5.00 - $ 107.00
Image of Régime des Fleurs' Jade Vines 75ml bottle with clear cylindrical glass, white paper label in the shape of a heraldic shield, and green circular cap
Image of Régime des Fleurs' Jade Vines outer packaging, consisting of white paper box with black typography
Jade Vines
Cascades of green foliage and white flowers
Régime des Fleurs
$ 10.00 - $ 225.00
Sold Out
Image of 75ml Eau de Parfum
Image of 1.5ml Spray Sample
After My Own Heart
Silky lilac and heliotrope, softest white musk
Samples out of stock.
Ineke
$ 5.00 - $ 125.00
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27 products

It's a Hit!

Sonic Flower

Room 1015's Sonic Flower is soaring to the top, and it's no surprise. This dazzling iris-meets-flowers-meets-musk beauty is from the same collaborators who concocted the undeniable 2022 top seller, Cherry Punk. Musician and brand founder Michael Partouche and perfumer-on-fire Jerome Epinette bring us an olfactory ode to rock-n-roll's iconic frontwomen — played out in a burst of pink pepper over a hypnotic composition of dirty-clean orris, silky jasmine, skin musks and warm cashmere woods.  

SAMPLE NOW

PERFUMER & FOUNDER INTERVIEWS

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Jun Lim of BORNTOSTANDOUT®
Jun Lim brings us BORNTOSTANDOUT®, direct from Seoul, South Korea.
Douglas Little of Heretic Parfum
Douglas Little of Heretic Parfum on his latest fragrance, Dirty Patchouli.
Perfumer Yann Vasnier
Perfumer Yann Vasnier on the creation of Mortel Noir for Trudon.
Photo depicting a range of materials: citrus, flowers, leaves, herbs, woods, cupcakes and spices
BROWSE BY STYLE OR BRAND
FIND YOUR FAVORITES
Florals, spicy, woods and more — so many scent styles to explore.
STYLES BRANDS

Summer Greens

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II (Deux)
Green leaves, bitter orange, pine and incense
Trudon
$ 5.00 - $ 240.00
Image of 100ml Eau de Parfum
Image of 1.5ml Spray Sample
Derby
Green galbanum with subtle florals and warm woods
Milano Fragranze
$ 5.00 - $ 140.00
Image of 75 ml Eau de Parfum
Image of 1.5ml Spray Sample
Idyllwild
Fresh and aromatic, an evergreen walk in the woods
Samples out of stock.
Ineke
$ 5.00 - $ 125.00
Image of Régime des Fleurs' Jade Vines 75ml bottle with clear cylindrical glass, white paper label in the shape of a heraldic shield, and green circular cap
Image of Régime des Fleurs' Jade Vines outer packaging, consisting of white paper box with black typography
Jade Vines
Cascades of green foliage and white flowers
Régime des Fleurs
$ 10.00 - $ 225.00
View all
66 products

VISIT OUR STORE

973 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

(between 20th & 21st Streets)

Mon: 11 – 6 pm 
Tue:   11 - 6 pm
Wed: 11 – 6 pm
Thu:   11 – 6 pm
Fri:     11 – 7 pm
Sat:    11 – 8 pm 
Sun:   11 – 6 pm

info@ministryofscent.com

415.896.4665

Get directions

Hear from our vibrant community

★★★★★

The online store and service is superb... Shipping was amazingly fast and the perfumes came nicely protected, but also beautifully presented.... I'm incredibly satisfied with my experience, I'll be doing my perfume shopping here.

Michael B.
★★★★★

Ministry of Scent has so many great fragrances, including ones that can be hard to find in the US. Their staff is also really thoughtful and helpful! I definitely recommend checking them out (whether at the store or on the website).

Wes W.
Google Review
★★★★★

I can think of no better place to purchase and try niche perfumes in all of San Francisco. Make that anywhere for that matter... Exemplary in all areas. From keen pricing, extensive catalog and above all excellent customer service and attentiveness...

Jerry K.
★★★★★

The best. Knowledgeable, friendly staff. Authentic... Best fragrance shopping experience of my life. Will definitely keep returning. Opposite of everything fake, pretentious, snooty, and off-putting about department store fragrance departments, while maintaining elite products and database of knowledge and suggestions and wise network of sellers.

Julie A.
★★★★★

Indulgent enclave, encompassing a unique cornucopia of personally selected fragrances, captivatingly helpful staff and a wonderful community spirit. Always worth a drop by.

Jenny C.
★★★★★

They have an array of diverse niche perfumes you won’t be able to find anywhere else. This place was great, because you can sample some niche fragrances you won’t be able to find anywhere else. 10/10 recommend.

Jordan M.
★★★★★

If you are into niche fragrances and perfumes, this store is a must when visiting San Francisco. Their product line is from all over the world and you’ll find brands not available anywhere else. I highly recommend this store. This store is very unisex as well so go as a couple or go alone. I promise you will purchase multiple bottles, you won’t be able to decide which is your favorite.

Ron Foxworthy
Google Review
★★★★★

Ministry of Scent is truly fantastic, and a wonderful introduction into the world of independent, niche perfumes.... I personally am not a niche/indie fragrance neophyte (though by no means an expert), and I observed the same amount of care, attention, and interest in working with me as I did with other customers who were just starting their "fragrance journeys".  I highly, highly recommend stopping by and investing some actual time into learning about what's out there, and what works for you.

Samantha W.
Yelp Review
★★★★★

My friends and I stumbled upon this gem... We came in with nothing in mind, and had minimal knowledge about scents and what we enjoyed. We all purchased samples of scents that we truly enjoyed and will be testing them out. We'll definitely be back to purchase a full sized perfume soon! Great service all around and we truly enjoyed this experience.

Chloe C.
Yelp Review