Woman holding a bottle of perfume, illustrating how to properly wear and apply fragrance

Pulse points are the areas of the body where blood vessels sit close to the skin’s surface, generating natural warmth that helps release fragrance gradually through the day.

The Main Pulse Points

  • Insides of the wrists
  • Base of the throat
  • Behind the ears
  • Insides of the elbows
  • Behind the knees
  • The inner ankle, for a subtle scent trail as you walk

A Practical Tip

You do not need to hit every point every time, two or three is usually plenty for a normal day. Applying to too many at once can lead to over-application, particularly with a concentrated oil or attar. Pulse points work because warmth encourages fragrance molecules to evaporate and rise gently off the skin throughout the day, carrying the scent with them rather than letting it sit inert on the surface. Some people also find that applying to the chest or upper back, where clothing brushes against skin, releases a pleasant, subtle trail as they move. Our guide to applying and wearing perfume covers this properly, and our complete guide to perfume has more on getting application right.