Le Sel D'Issey Eau de Parfum

#48 of My Fragrance Journey - Issey Miyake Le Sel d’Issey - The Ocean, Remembered on Warm Skin I’m completely drawn to this fragrance. Le Sel d’Issey feels like a secret the ocean whispered just for me - intimate, untamed, and strangely human. Over 30 years ago, Issey Miyake captured the rush of running water; now, with this Eau de Parfum, they’ve gone deeper. This isn’t just another “aquatic” scent. It’s the sea itself - alive, mineral, and endlessly evocative. That first spray hits like an alarm. Salt hits warm skin, bright and bracing, like standing too close to the waves when they crash against the rocks. There’s no sunscreen sweetness or coconut cliché here - just the sharp tang of brine, the earthiness of seaweed tangled on wet stones, and the cool, green breath of oakmoss anchoring everything. It’s not a postcard beach - it’s the real thing: raw, mineral, elemental. You don’t just smell the coast; you feel it, a jolt of wind and water that wakes the senses. After a while, something shifts. The salt begins to melt into warmth - amber flickers like sunlight on damp sand, incense rises like the smoke of a distant fire, and dry woods emerge, steady and grounding. It’s not a transition so much as a dialogue: the sea meeting the shore, the coolness of air blending with the heat of skin. The freshness remains, but now it’s wrapped in something softer, more human, quietly sensual. By the dry-down, Le Sel d’Issey becomes a memory - a coastline after the storm, embers fading in a seaside bonfire, salt still clinging to your hair. The scent hugs close, magnetic but never loud, lasting easily ten hours while evolving in subtle waves. It lingers like a secret you can’t quite let go of - alive but intimate, wild yet refined. This fragrance doesn’t smell like a holiday or a bottle of “blue.” It smells like the ocean distilled through memory and touch - the meeting point between water and flesh, energy and calm, wildness and grace. Every time I wear it, I feel that quiet electricity again: salt, warmth, skin. Le Sel d’Issey isn’t just a scent - it’s a moment, suspended between sea and shore. And once it finds your skin, it doesn’t just stay there. It lives there. More scent stories and visuals on Instagram - @lavendercloudsjd

This is a really interesting fragrance, on paper the seaweed note is really strong and prominent, it's almost too much. On skin its a different story, this is where this fragrance really comes alive and develops throughout the day. On my skin, this opens with that oceanic seaweed smell, after 5 minutes this settles and the seaweed almost acts as the base adding complexity to the salty, aquatic freshness. After about an hour or so the middle notes come through and the incense is subtle, but again adds to the complexity and depth to a fragrance that would be pretty ordinary. For me after a fews hours this becomes a complex fresh marine fragrance that is really unique. On paper I did not like this at all, I can understand why people do not like it but if it works with your skin it really is one of my favourite releases of 2025. I don't get any of the amber notes other people talk about here on my skin, but again on paper it is prominent and contrasts a little too much with the marine notes. This summer here in Australia this has been my biggest compliment getter so far, especially with women and those who are really into fragrances. This will be in my summer rotation but I cannot see myself wearing it in the colder months. Not blind buy safe I don't think. Lasts 10+ hours

I just got a good deal on this even it’s redundant since i have the EDT already im still bought it. But if you only have Bois Imperial it’s not redundant, because it’s different. EDP got most of Le Sel DNA as the backbone , but the addition of scent profile here about the sparkling fresh and bright opening only stayed around 5mins then you slowly find the warm and sweet scent of Amber coming through while the bright opening go away, mean while the incense coming too. And this kind of incense very similar with the incense ADG Profumo but it’s like only 5% as little touch of transition , more importantly getting into drydown the Warm and Sweet Amber always there in the back (10%)accompanying the main back bone of Le Sel DNA and i believe this amber oil is the same like SWY EDT and SWYI that my friend usually wear. This makes it perfect to use Le Sel EDP at the Spring and Fall, in the hot humid weather i got a bit cloying by the warm and sweet scent. So that’s it my review of this EDP.

Honestly, I really like this perfume’s scent, it’s seductive in an amazing way. I feel like it has that Amouage Decision vibe (I won’t really compare it to that though, because in my opinion Amouage is creamy, classy, and more luxurious). But when I tried them side by side, this one gave me a bakhoor/oud smoky scent that’s actually nicer than Amouage. Amouage is just a different thing honestly. Comparing it specifically to the smoky/incense side and the frankincense (luban) note. I grew up in Yemen and this is the real, authentic luban scent. What I also liked is that sometimes it sits on the skin for a long time, though other times I feel like it fades. And even though I like it, so far nobody’s complimented me on it, so that’s why you really need to try it for yourselves. Also, compared to the EDT version, when I tested them side by side, the EDT was way weaker and just average. And next to Kenzo EDP, this one made Kenzo feel like a pretty basic/simple perfume in comparison.

I absolutely love this fragrance, a very high quality oceanic scent that's perfect for summer days and nights. To me this smells like I just finished a long surf session, the salt notes mixed with a smoky undertone is addictive to me, it has a subtle sweetness from the amber as well which really finishes it off and makes it super versatile. I chewed through my bottle as I was wearing it every day in summer and I got a ton of compliments from both girls and guys, its not super loud where it makes it obvious you are wearing a fragrance most of the compliments were just "you smell really nice", so I would say it is very blind buy safe. Projection is pretty solid for the first 2 hours before dying down to a skin scent, and longevity is really good for a freshie I would get probably around 7 hours, I would 100% recommend if you are looking for a designer freshie that smells 10/10 and is more unique than the copious amount of citrus bombs on the market today.

I was super excited to get my hands on this fragrance. As someone who rocks the edt on a daily basis I really had to find out what the edp smelled like. I've worn the edp consecutively for 2 weeks now as my daily at work. I work outside in the south where October is still 90°F and this stuff absolutely fits that hot weather setting. However I think once it cools down this stuff might work well with the cold, but I wouldn't wear it as an everyday winter scent. The edp to me is still very much salty in the opening but instead of the fresh burst from the edt. You get a more... caramelized scent. Not that it smells like carmel but more so its more moody, its more brown, its salty but now has some slightly sweet incense to it. Honestly the best way I can summarize this from the edt is that the edt would be like a nice fresh beach afternoon while the edp is a more moody beach sunset.

The differences haven't been resolved, but this AdG Profondo was seriously similar. While most people say Profumo, I think it's closer to Profondo. Of course, there's one thing I don't like about Profondo. This one either doesn't have it, or they've added something that makes me like the opposite. There's spice, but I couldn't detect any incense. It's deliciously sea-like, salty, and aquatic. So, if you sell this as a flanker of AdG or as its own, no one will turn up their nose. I think you should get it, unless you're allergic to a particular note, it'll be a wonderful summer night or spring scent. AdG fans, in particular, might be blindsided. I think so, but you should still try it out 😊 By the way, the performance is legendary, too.

This is an absolute certified BANGER! Le Sel D'Issey EDP is very marine/oceanic which is one of my personal favorite notes in fragrances and Issey Miyake have done it so well with this one, great job! It is almost up in the top league of salty marine/ocean fragrances with Tom Ford’s Oud Minérale, but Oud Minérale is still champion and number one in my opinion. This is a perfect choice of fragrance for warmer days, summer and going to the beach. It is also long lasting (on my skin at least), fresh, intense and masculine - a very safe scent profile/ fragrance and a crowd pleaser. I would almost dare to say that this fragrance is blind buy safe as well. I love this fragrance, yet another masterpiece by Quentin Bisch.

Not similar to anything Acqua di Gio. Not sure what those folks are smelling. This is a noticeably denser version of the EDT, and the closest thing in my collection to it (other than the EDT) is Bulgari Aqva pour homme...and maybe one or two Kenzo offerings. There is a slight tropicality to this, almost (but not quite) treading into CH Birds of Paradise, or Bentley Momentum Intense territory. If you've smelled or own either of those, you'll probably pick out what I'm referring to. It doesn't project as much as the EDT, but it is very potent nonetheless. Longevity is very good. Seems to be hitting discounters now, which makes this a great bang-for-the-buck. I'd not pay retail prices for it, though...

Got the bottle a few minutes ago and sprayed on skin. I really like it. It's not a perfume that you say: "wow, amazing i love it", but this will most likely the fragrance I'll use every day this summer. Moderately sweet, a little salty. after a few minuets of applied, I'm starting to get the incense. I get the impression that it will last between 4~6 hs. Again, I really like it. From Quentin Bish I also have Bois Imperial. I really like where his nose is taking us. And another thing, this is 100% a male fragrance, I cannot imagine smelling this in a woman! While writing this, I'm getting sniffs... I have to change my opinion, I don't like it... I love it!

This fragrance gives me a real sense of calmness and cleanliness every time I spray it. The opening is a fresh aquatic with a unique mineral vibe, like standing by the ocean in the morning breeze. As it dries down, it becomes smooth, airy and very soothing, never too sweet or heavy. Projection is moderate, just enough for people around me to notice without being overwhelming. I especially love wearing this at work, it feels refreshing and keeps me in a positive mood. Unlike many typical fresh scents, this one has depth and a classy character that makes it stand out. My rating: 9/10 🌊✨ Peaceful, elegant, and perfect as a daily signature scent

All I can say is that this is amazing. Fantastic value for money and amazing scent profile. Has this addictive masculine musk that comes out in the dry down that really compliments aquatic notes. Can wear this fragrance anytime anywhere. It smells amazing in the cold, it really goes together with that ocean breeze on a cloudy evening the fragrance gives off. Looking forward to seeing how it smells in the higher heat. Also I've tried the EDT which is a fresher zingier version of this one. However, I don't think it's that big of a difference in freshness and the deeper aspects of the EDP make it more addictive and enjoyable to wear.

Still salty and fresh just like the edt. Very similar overall, but the edp does come off as smoother with less initial punch and zing. The edp also comes off sweeter and there is some sort of weird funk coming from the incense in this that kind of reminds me of L’eau Maujeure. I was hoping the incense note in this would be similar to Leau D’issey PH Intense, but this incense is less Smokey and a lot lighter. Overall really good, but honestly redundant if you have the edt. I would recommend this if you like the edt, but want a little bit more restrained and smoother scent with some slightly (and I mean slightly) dark nuances.

Great fragrance! Smells fresh, a little juicy, leafy/planty and some airy incense. Smells great and really impressed me. The opening is the best part, everything swirls together around you creating some that projects well and smells familiar but also unique. The incense come out more in the mid, and remains for a while, but slowly calms down in the dry down. Lasts 7-8 hours on me, which is great for a freshie. I think it’s the kind of fragrance that can be worn all year, definitely holds up in the summer, but I think the incense will give it enough depth to be worn in winter. This one is staying in the collection.

It's great but I'm glad I didn't blind buy it because it's just so similar to the EDT that wouldn't feel worth it. It's more smooth and sweetened out, I somehow also get more ginger from this one than the EDT. Also it's no longer a borderline dupe of Bois Imperial lol. Not getting any Profumo similarities, they belong on the same shelf but neither is a substitute for the other. When, and if, the EDT ever runs out I'll pick this up.

There might be tweaks but to me, it’s just the original with some more heft. I get really nice longevity from this one and will be buying a 100ml when the 50 runs out. There also seems to be some sort of anti-Bisch campaign from weirdos who claim this smells like his other creations. This is in no way similar to Ganymede or Bois Imperial, or his new Amouage releases. Purpose 50? Really? Absolute schizo behaviour.

I own the EDT and like it but the EDP improves upon it massively. The EDT is very sharp and only really suitable for hot days but the EDP balances that out with a masculine, warm, subtly sweet base. It makes the EDT seem like it's all top notes. The changes make this much more versatile and masculine. I'll be buying it. (Also, weirdly, as it's sprayed on it smells like buffalo trace whisky for a few seconds)

Got a 10ml sample from duty free. Had a bottle of ADG profumo back in 2016, that thing was fire and this reminds me of that. Tbh this kinda feels it could be an ADG flanker. Masculine, all year around, calone centric scent with a amber and a touch of incense. Nothing wow, but I consider this to be underrated for what really is. Try on skin, it could surpise you.

The opening reminds me of a North Atlantic beach in the Faroe Islands where driftwood is drying in the sun, seaweed is washed ashore, and the air is so salty that you can leave meat outside and it won't even rot. On skin, the dry down pretty much smells like expensive soap mixed with some sea notes. It has potential to be a unique office scent in my opinion.

To the fellow below, this stuff is beast mode. I have never used an aquatic fragrance this strong. Sprayed it on at 03h30 and i got a compliment at 19h00, lasted on my shirt for the whole week. Its hot in my country now so this is perfect for the heat. Also it smells how a man should smell in the heat, it will be my summer signature. Also price is great.