The sauna is a space for stripping down. Here, the decor doesn't speak, but the warmth does. There are no windows to look out of, but there is a space for looking within. The body becomes present, thoughts slow. And in the midst of it all – the scent. Not as decoration, but as something physical, embodied.
At Remoair, we see the sauna as one of the most sensitive rooms there is. A room where scent takes on a different body, a different rhythm. It is carried by steam, by wood, by still breaths. It is not background – it is pulse.
The historical role of scent in sauna culture
Sauna scent is not a modern invention. It has always existed – as smoke from birch whisks, as ether from pine needles, as resin in the corner of a wood-fired wall. In the Finnish tradition, the sauna has been a sacred place, where people washed, healed, were born, died. The scent of wood, soot, sweat and forest was not just an environment – it was part of the room itself.
In Japan, scent has been central to bathing rituals for centuries. Cedar, yuzu, incense. A way to cleanse both body and energy.
In Sweden, the sauna has often smelled of birch whisks, tar, perhaps eucalyptus oil dripped into the scoop of water. The scent never became a means of perfume – it became a way to enhance the warmth, and to set a direction for the moment.
We are inspired by all of this. But we interpret it through our aesthetic.
What we mean by sauna scent at Remoair
For us, sauna scent is not a tool – it is an extension of breathing. It should feel natural, organic, embedded in the structure of the wood and the stillness of the body. The scent should not hit you – it should move with you.
Therefore, our sauna scent is always:
- Water-based – so it works in heat and on wood
- Free from alcohol and synthetic propellants
- Based on plant-based essential oils – whose notes are enhanced in warm, humid air
The scent should preferably come slowly, in layers. It should whisper, not shout.
How sauna scent affects the mind and body
The effect of scent is enhanced by heat. Research shows that essential oils such as lavender, eucalyptus and lemongrass have calming, cleansing and energising effects – especially in combination with the sauna's own effects: reduced stress levels, improved circulation, increased mental presence.
In the sauna, the senses are not switched on – they are exposed. And scent becomes a tool for movement. A way into the body, but also out of the head.
We believe that sauna scent acts as an inner window. It airs something, but only if you let it.
From birch whisks to spray – how we use scent in the sauna today
Our fragrance spray works for most things as they are based on gentle fragrance oils and deionised water. They are designed to fit into a ritual, not disturb it. When taking a sauna, we use it in three ways for maximum scent diffusion:
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Before the sauna – we spray a bench cover or towel to set the tone.
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During the sauna – we add the spray to the scoop of water to be poured over the stones. The scent is carried by the steam. You can also spray the stones before starting the sauna. Alternatively, you can spray the wooden panel.
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After the sauna – the scent left on textiles creates a soft continuation. If you want continued scent, it is perfect to freshen up your bath towel and bathrobe.
For us, sauna scent is not something you "add". It is something you awaken.
Which scents are suitable for the sauna?
When we scent rooms or places, there is a common philosophy behind our work. We always first think "what feeling do we want to evoke here". For most people, sauna bathing is associated with relaxation, spa, and peace in stillness. Therefore, our favourites when it comes to choosing scents have these very characteristics.
Soothing Spa never fails. The scent of lavender can make anyone completely relaxed, both in body and mind. Our version of lavender scent is well-balanced and goes more hand in hand with the genuine scent of the plant than perfumed products that can irritate.
Sandalwood & Pink Peppercorn is another scent we believe has calming properties. It is soft and round with smooth woody notes. It enhances the natural feeling of wood in the sauna. Sandalwood has been used for thousands of years for its properties when it comes to scent and what it does for the mind. It is perhaps best known as incense, but let us make it a new favourite for sauna bathers.
If you are looking for a scent with smoky notes, Bursera is the one to use. The scent carries floral notes of magnolia, but only in the top notes. The heart of the scent is filled with golden notes of Palo Santo, which is associated with rituals all over the world, not least during relaxation and meditation.
