Nothing says festive quite like a seasonal scent from Bath & Body Works. Whether it’s a candle that’s reminiscent of drinking eggnog by the fireplace or a moisturizing body cream to withstand outdoor winter activities, their entire holiday collection has so many amazing scents. I had the pleasure of checking out some of the latest—and most classic—items, and while it was tough to choose favorites, I was able to compile a list of the best-smelling holiday products from Bath & Body Works. Sorry scratch and sniff hasn’t been invented yet.
I Tested More Than $500 Worth of the Bath & Body Works Holiday Collection—Here Are My 12 Best-Smelling Picks
Including candles, body creams and more
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Published Dec 2, 2024
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Victoria Parrotta/Bath and Body Works
The Best-Smelling Bath & Body Works Holiday Products
1
Fresh Balsam Candle
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2
Vanilla Eggnog Candle
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3
Winter Candy Apple Candle
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4
Vanilla Bean Noel Candle
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5
Twisted Peppermint Body Cream
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Bath & Body Works
Bath & Body Works is no stranger to this scent, but adding a winter wonderland wrapping along the jar and a decorative lid is a great upgrade for the holidays. The three-wick candle offers a fresh fragrance with notes of woodland balsam, crisp eucalyptus, fir branches and cedarwood. It’ll definitely make you feel like you just booked a romantic winter getaway.
Fast Facts
- Notes: woodlam balsam, crisp eucalyptus, fir branches, cedarwood
- Burn time: 25 to 45 hours
Bath & Body Works
Eggnog is a staple holiday drink, and this candle does an amazing job getting the exact scent. I’ll admit I couldn’t stop myself from lighting this candle despite having zero decorations up yet. B&BW describes the smell as “a warm cup of cheer” and they are completely right. It has notes of creamy vanilla, cinnamon stick and a dash of nutmeg that smells good enough to eat. (But please, don’t. It’s 100 percent not edible.) The cute illustration of the drink cart and tree, along with a peppermint-like lid, make it a great gift, too.
Fast Facts
- Notes: creamy vanilla, cinnamon stick, nutmeg
- Burn time: 25 to 45 hours
Bath & Body Works
If you’re looking for a fruity fragrance, look no further than this candy apple candle. It has notes of red apples, crisp pears and candied orange, which will surely satisfy any sweet tooth (metaphorically, of course). I love the luxe wrapping that will be oh-so nice on my dinner table, and as one shopper shares, the scent is enough to bring you back to Christmas memories.
Fast Facts
- Notes: red apples, crisp pears, candied oranges
- Burn time: 25 to 45 hours
Bath & Body Works
It’s no secret that I love vanilla fragrances and this Vanilla Bean Noel candle is at the top of my list. This festive candle has notes of fresh vanilla bean, marshmallow fluff and vanilla cake. It’s meant to smell like “fresh-baked holiday treats” and B&BW gets it right once again. The rich aroma takes me back to whipping up those iconic Pillsbury cookies and watching Christmas movies until I got tired. Who am I kidding? I still do this.
Fast Facts
- Notes: fresh vanilla mean, marshmallow fluff, vanilla cake
- Burn time: 25 to 45 hours
5. Twisted Peppermint Body Cream
Bath & Body Works
Peppermint will always be a central part of the holidays and this hydrating body cream is just what you’ll need. With notes of peppermint, sugared snow, fresh balsam and vanilla buttercream, it has a distinct minty aroma that leaves a cooling effect on the skin. Scent aside, the formula includes shea butter, cocoa butter and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture for up to 24 hours, which is a must-have for the colder months ahead.
Fast Facts
- Notes: cool peppermint, sugared snow, fresh balsam, vanilla butter cream
- Ingredients: shea butter, cocoa butter, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
6. Snowflakes & Cashmere Body Cream
Chelsea Candelario
I describe this fragrance as warm and cozy, which matches the ‘Snowflakes & Cashmere’ name. Bath & Body Works wants this one to smell like “snuggling in the softest blanket on a bright winter morning,” and that’s all I want to do after taking a whiff of this body cream. It has notes of vanilla cashmere cream, caramel woods and frosted clementine. I highly recommend applying this right after showering, putting on the silkiest pajamas and wrapping yourself in your warmest blanket. And like many of their body creams, it’s very moisturizing and the fragrance is not at all overpowering.
Fast Facts
- Notes: vanilla cashmere cream, caramel woods, frosted clementine
- Ingredients: shea butter, cocoa butter, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
Chelsea Candelario
This body cream is moisturizing *and* smells wonderful. It has a blend of fruity and floral notes like vibrant cherries, pink camellia and whipped almond crème. Add some moisturizing ingredients—like shea butter and cocoa butter—and you have yourself a mixture great for strolling through your local holiday markets.
Fast Facts
- Notes: vibrant cherries, pink camellia, whipped almond crème
- Ingredients: shea butter, cocoa butter, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
8. Magic In The Air Body Cream
Bath & Body Works
Oh, this body cream is magical indeed. Out of every item on the list, this one has the most fragrance notes, which makes for a nice surprise as the scent settles throughout the day. Its key notes include almond flower, sparkling persimmon, white iris, whipped vanilla bourbon and sandalwood. Many shoppers have raved about stocking up on a few—and I don’t blame them. Luckily for us, the scent also comes in a hand sanitizer form, so I always have it on the go.
Fast Facts
- Notes: almond flower, sparkling persimmon, white iris, whipped vanilla bourbon, sandalwood
- Ingredients: shea butter, cocoa butter, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
9. Strawberry Snowflakes Hand Soap
Bath & Body Works
Bath & Body Works had three words to describe this hand soap: fluffy, fruity and flurry. The foaming soap is one hundred percent fruity—thanks to its top note being juicy strawberries. And let’s not forget the whipped cream and iced bergamot that drives this sweet scent home. But don’t let the fragrance fool you, the hand soap aims to wash away any germs while maintaining moisture with key ingredients like shea extract and aloe.
Fast Facts
- Notes: juicy strawberry, whipped cream, iced bergamot
- Ingredients: vitamin E, shea extract, aloe
Chelsea Candelario
I might sound like a broken record, but this hand soap is the embodiment of the holidays. Every time I wash my hands, I’m thrust into the jolly season of decorating the tree, wrapping gifts and sipping on some hot cider. It’s largely due to the mix of fruity (red apple), woodsy (ground cinnamon) and spiced (clove) notes. Also, the packaging features an adorable illustration of Santa and red coating.
Fast Facts
- Notes: red apple, ground cinnamon, clove
- Ingredients: vitamin E, shea extract, aloe
11. Winter Citrus Wreath Hand Soap
Bath & Body Works
Whether you have a real or artificial tree, we can all agree that the distinct pine scent is so December. This hand soap is meant to smell like a “woodsy garland” and it continuously transports me into NYC during the holidays. It uses notes of balsam wreath, fresh citrus and forest breeze to give off winter. Similar to all of B&BW’s hand soaps, it leaves your skin clean and hydrated.
Fast Facts
- Notes: balsam wreath, fresh citrus, forest breeze
- Ingredients: vitamin E, shea extract, aloe
12. Frosted Coconut Snowball Fragrance Mist
Bath & Body Works
I would spray all of the scents on this list all over myself, but I love this frosted coconut fragrance for layering with my go-to perfumes. It has a blend of sweet and woodsy notes such as frosted coconut, North Pole vanilla, winter freesia, spun sugar and snow-kissed woods. All you need is one spritz on your pressure points (i.e., neck, wrists, behind the knees) and you’ll smell absolutely amazing.
Fast Facts
- Notes: frosted coconut, North Pole vanilla, winter freesia, spun sugar and snow-kissed woods
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