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Tested by our male & female editors
◆ Methodology · Updated May 2026

How we test,
in four steps.

Every score on Phero comes from a repeatable process. Here is exactly how we evaluate pheromone fragrances — from purchase to publication.

01

We buy every bottle ourselves.

No samples. No gifted product. No "collab" arrangements. Every bottle on Phero was purchased at full retail price with our editorial budget. This is the only way to guarantee that our scores reflect what an ordinary buyer experiences — including the wait, the packaging condition, the customer service, and the actual retail price.

02

Worn across every relevant context.

Each product is worn for a minimum of six weeks — across workplace settings, evenings out, gym sessions, and social occasions. The score isn't based on one good night or one bad morning. It's based on consistent observation across all of them. Notes are taken daily in weeks one through three, then weekly thereafter.

03

We score on nine weighted criteria.

Scent experience (if scented) · Longevity (wear time) · Sillage (projection at 1 metre) · Perceived social effect · Skin tolerance (no irritation) · Ingredient transparency · Value for money · Packaging quality · Retail availability. Each criterion is weighted. The Phero Score is a 10-point weighted average. Full scoring rubric is published in our methodology appendix.

04

We re-test every recommendation every six months.

Formulations change. Suppliers change. Prices change. A product that earned a 9.2 in November might not deserve it in May. Every product that holds a recommendation on Phero is re-purchased and re-evaluated twice a year. Scores are updated and the last-tested date is displayed on every page. If a product drops below our threshold, we remove the recommendation — and say why.

The numbers

The Phero Score, explained.

Our 10-point score is a weighted average across nine criteria. A 7.0 means it works but has notable drawbacks. An 8.5 means we'd recommend it. A 9.0+ means it's genuinely exceptional and among the best we've tested.

We do not give 10s. No product is perfect, and perfect scores erode the credibility of everything below them.

CRITERION WEIGHT
Scent experience (scented products) 20%
Longevity (wear time) 15%
Sillage (projection at 1m) 15%
Perceived social effect 20%
Skin tolerance 10%
Ingredient transparency 8%
Value for money 7%
Packaging quality 3%
Retail availability 2%
Affiliate disclosure

How we make money.

Some links on Phero are affiliate links. If you click through and buy, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. This is how independent review sites stay funded without charging readers or accepting advertiser influence over editorial.

Our scores and recommendations are never influenced by affiliate arrangements. We link to the retailer with the best verified price — not the retailer with the highest commission rate. If the best price is on a site with no affiliate programme, we still link to it.

Phero has never accepted money to feature a product, inflate a score, or write a positive review. We never will. If that policy ever changes, we will disclose it prominently at the top of every affected page.

The reviewers

Two editors. Every bottle.

The Phero Editor, lead reviewer for men's fragrances

The Phero Editor

Founder · Men's fragrances

Founder of Phero and lead reviewer for all men's products. Every bottle is purchased at retail and worn for a minimum of six weeks before scoring. No gifted product. No brand relationships. No exceptions.

The Phero Women's Editor, reviewer for women's fragrances

The Phero Women's Editor

Women's fragrance reviewer

Fragrance writer and beauty editor responsible for all women's pheromone reviews on Phero. Each product is tested across real-world social settings over a minimum of six weeks per bottle before a score is assigned.