Can You Sleep With Cologne On? (Yes, Here’s Why)

People have been using scents for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians used oiled-based salves for health and to better connect to their gods, whereas an Italian invented cologne in the early 18th century as an alternative to stronger scents of the century. While cologne is great for going out and about, can you sleep with cologne on?

The short answer is that yes, you can sleep with cologne on. According to Real Simple, sleeping with scents, especially your favorite smells, can be beneficial for overall well-being.

Learn about the benefits of sleeping with cologne on, if there are any cons, and some of the best ways to introduce cologne into the bedroom.

What Is Cologne?

Cologne, otherwise known more formally as eau de cologne, is a blend of perfume oils in alcohol and water. The fragrances are usually two percent to four percent of the total mixture.

It was named after the German city of the same name by an Italian perfumer, Giovanni Maria Farina. It was used to scent the skin and was a sign of wealth, as only royalty and nobility could obtain the ability to smell pleasant.

Is There A Difference Between Cologne And Perfume?

The word perfume is a general term and comes from the Latin term per fumum which means “through smoke.” Perfumes were originally used to scent the air in an area but later became known as a product that gave the body a nice smell.

To sum up, cologne is a type of perfume. It has a lower amount of essential oils and usually leans more towards fresh and citrusy scents. Many market cologne as an item for men but in recent years, it has become something that any gender identity can use.

Can Cologne Be Harmful?

Generally, cologne is not harmful. There are a couple of things to keep in mind before buying cologne though.

Cologne Is Not For Consumption

Any kind of cologne is not meant for consumption. A lot of them contain ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, which are toxic to humans and animals if ingested. Ethanol and isopropyl alcohol are both used as a way to preserve the cologne’s scent but if a human or a pet drinks it, the cologne can cause high temperature, dizziness, and nausea or vomiting.

Sensitivity To Ingredients

Some people are sensitive to certain ingredients or products and cologne can trigger this. It will depend on the specific brand of cologne but if a person notices redness or itching, this likely means that an allergic reaction is happening.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) estimated that only 34 percent of cologne ingredients have been tested for toxicity. Despite this, cologne is quite safe to use. Some names to watch out for that may cause harm:

Phthalates
Styrene
Galaxolide ketone or other musk ketones
Ethylene glycol
Acetaldehyde
Oxybenzone

If you are worried about the ingredients in cologne, opt to buy from companies that use only natural ingredients.

What Happens If You Breath In Too Much Cologne?

As mentioned in the previous sections, cologne is safe for many people but some may find they are sensitive to the scent. This is especially true if you have asthma or are prone to migraines. Cologne can be too strong and trigger coughing and wheezing in people with asthma. Those that get migraines sometimes find that smells can set off head pain.

In addition, some colognes can contain ingredients that are not great for breathing in. Since there are a few that may contain ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, there is a risk of side effects from breathing those fumes in. This can include headaches, dizziness, and respiratory problems.

Can I Spray Cologne On My Pillow?

While there can be harmful side effects to cologne, it is considered safe for the general population, which means it’s fine to spray cologne on your pillow.

Reasons To Spray Cologne On The Pillow

Maybe you think it’s weird to spray cologne on a pillow or perhaps you already do it. Either way, spraying cologne on your pillow is done for numerous reasons.

Helps You Fall Asleep

Depending on the ingredients in your cologne, spraying your pillow can be an easy way to help you fall asleep. Scents like lavender, chamomile, jasmine, and bergamot are known to make drifting off easier. If you have any of these in your cologne or perfume, it relaxes you and makes falling asleep easier.

Reminds You Of Your Loved One

If your loved one or significant other has a specific scent from using a certain cologne, it’s comforting to be able to smell it on your pillow. This is especially true if you are traveling or aren’t near them.

Makes The Bed More Welcoming

Many hotels will spray their pillows with perfume or cologne to make the room and bed more welcoming. They can use the scents that help you fall asleep, but they can also use scents that are calming (rosemary or vanilla) or can help with jetlag and nausea (peppermint).

What Happens If We Apply Perfume At Night?

Applying perfume or cologne at night is a great way to make sure that the scent sticks to you and lingers. Odor molecules dissipate into the air much more quickly in warmer temperatures, whereas in colder temperatures, they tend to linger.

The body cools down at night, which means that scents that are on your pillow and in your sheets will likely stick around longer.

Other Cologne Tips To Keep In Mind

Now that you know all about sleeping in cologne, here are a few other tips to keep in mind when using cologne.

Moisturize Before Applying Cologne

Skincare experts think that scents last longer on moisturized skin, so be sure to use a moisturizer before applying cologne. You can also apply petroleum jelly to your pulse points (wrist, knees, neck), before spraying cologne.

Add Cologne To Your Lotion

Speaking of moisturizers, when you are running low on cologne, pour the last of it into your bottle of lotion. This not only keeps the cologne from being wasted but also makes it easy to moisturize and apply cologne at the same time. A note: only apply cologne to unscented lotion. Adding it to other scents might result in a scent that isn’t so nice.

Spray Cologne On Your Hair Brush

Your hair should smell nice so spraying a few spritzes on your hairbrush is the perfect way to add scent. Do not spray cologne directly on your hair as this can dry it out.