Skin [Intense]

I own well over 100 fragrances, predominantly niche, and this is the first time I have ever felt compelled to write a review. This release is simply too good to stay quiet about, and it truly deserves to be made permanent. I am honestly surprised I haven’t seen more about this on perfume tok since the regular Clean Reserve skin has such a cult following. Clean Reserve Skin is already the most worn fragrance in my collection, so Skin Intense was an immediate blind buy for me. From the first spray, it was love at first sniff. My husband gravitates toward musk forward fragrances, and both versions are standouts for us. His other favorites on me are Lake and Skye 11:11 and Initio Musk Therapy, which should give some context to his taste. Skin Intense truly smells like reserve skin, only stronger, warmer, and slightly sweeter. Interestingly, my husband cannot detect a difference between the two at all. The opening reads a bit different to my nose, but the dry down is nearly identical to the original, just amplified. I never had an issue with longevity with the original and Its intimacy is intentional and part of its appeal. The Intense version maintains that same skin like quality while offering moderate projection, making it more noticeable without losing its softness. For those less immersed in fragrance, owning both may feel unnecessary since they are very similar. Personally, I want both and plan to keep both, and I am already preparing to purchase a backup bottle. The original remains slightly lighter and fresher, which makes it ideal for summer, the gym, and work. I work in a school, and it is perfect for that setting. Skin Intense feels like the more elevated, every day, or even date night version. If I had to choose only one, it would be Skin Intense. This is exceptional. If you love the original Skin, Skin Intense is a very safe blind buy, and one I genuinely hope receives enough support to become a permanent part of the line.

Whenever people describe a fragrance as "addictive" I never quite understood it until I tried a sample of this from my recent Clean perfume purchase. I have the original and the reserve blend version of this perfume and believe me when I say this is the perfected version of both. I think this is what Skin should have been, or what they were going for. To preface this, I really DO NOT LIKE gourmand scents at all. I don't like smelling like a walking pastry; so, anything with caramel, praline or even vanilla I try with caution. But this one really made me a believer! It's so balanced, and STILL a clean lactonic scent without being cloying and then it transforms into the Clean Skin scent we've come to love only more creamy. The caramel is sweet enough to pull you in, and sea salt balances it so it isn't too sweet. Stronger projection and sillage compared to her siblings, and I do get the marketing where they say it's "sexy & sophisticated" but not in a narcotic kind of way, more of a moisturized, sexy woman who likes to lounge in her lingerie in private kinda way; the type that is subtle, but still makes an impression. Fans of Vanilla Skin by PHLUR will love this, as it smells like the more lactonic blend between the two!

According to the Clean Beauty site, the perfumes are: Skin (Classic) - Skin [Reserve Blend] - Skin [Intense] Keeping that sequence in mind, you're essentially looking at the same scent in order of increasing longevity. The only difference you’ll smell is in the dry-down. Skin [Intense] is the longest-lasting, which is why between the three, it's my pick. Fortunately, it doesn't have that sharp, chemical opening & it's the same warm & inoffensive skin scent...maybe slightly saltier. In the dry-down, the praline takes center stage, but let me stress, as someone who HATES gourmand smells, that it doesn't feel overbearingly sweet. Nor does it get cloying after a while, which I imagine is due to being so nicely blended. The sillage remains pretty intimate, but I was still able to sense this on me after just over 2 hours. I will say though, that despite getting 1ml decants from different sources, 2/3 of the samples smelled rotten. They were old, & when this stuff goes off, it absolutely REEKS. Keep this mind while testing!

Love it! Clean Skin is my favorite but it doesn’t last and it doesn’t project as much as I would like so I have given up and just carry it with me. This isn’t exactly like clean skin... it’s missing that second skin, musky smell.... But it definitely projects better and lasts longer! I’m not getting sea salt in the beginning. It’s a sweet musky floral with maybe some caramel or vanilla with a woody base... like the most expensive delicious shampoo conditioner, but sweeter. I think the intense is more sweet and caramel than the original but I love it. Love love love. My husband loves it too! I hope they keep it as I think this will be my signature scent.

So I’ve edited this review because this has really grown on me. At first, I was only getting caramel and Tonka, and it was off putting. Now, after several tries, I am getting the saltiness and this is coming across as balanced and like an intense version of the original. For my first impression I was underwhelmed and I expected to love it, but initially, caramel and tonka were taking over on my skin. I’m surprised I don’t really pick up much of the white florals, but the intense version is definitely stronger. I am considering a full bottle now!