Most of us tend to think of fragrance as the ultimate finishing touch when it comes to dating. But with ‘overpowering fragrance’ regularly cited as a turn off in dating site surveys, that aftershave or perfume you’re wearing to make yourself more desirable is just as likely to turn you into an olfactory outlaw as it is the object of someone’s affections.

Overdo the fragrance and all you’ll smell of is insecurity (men are particularly guilty of this, which is why they they should always stick to the ‘two sprays’ rule).

Moreover, a recent study by the University of Melbourne School of Engineering found a third of people have had fragrance-induced migraines, asthma attacks or allergies, not quite what you’re after when cupid comes a-calling.

Would you go fragrance-free?

The problem is, it takes a confident person (not to mention an exceptional deodorant) to go fragrance-free on an important date, especially since when we’re nervous we produce the particularly whiffy ‘apocrine’ sweat.

The multi-award winning Salt Of The Earth Natural deodorant is ideal if you’re looking for a B.O. basher that’s totally fragrance-free.

It’s parabens, alcohol, CFCs and more free too – and suitable for vegans. In addition, guys might want to trim their pits. This will help to minimise nasty niffs since each hair is like a hotel for odour-causing bacteria.

Less is more

If going totally fragrance-free sounds like too much of a challenge, try going fragrance light with the help of a product like Lush’s ‘Silky Underwear’ Dusting Powder.

Or if you still feel naked without an eau de toilette, try a minimally-fragranced scent like Escentric Molecules’ legendary Molecule 01.

This ‘anti-perfume’ for men and women is based around a single fragrance note called IsoE Super (often described as acting like a pheromone). It is designed to enhance the smell of your own skin with a barely-there woodiness, rather than completely masking it with a suffocating scent.

Or, hey, just forget fragrance altogether and eat vanilla ice cream for your solo Valentine’s Day dessert.

With its long history as an aphrodisiac, the smell of vanilla is one women love and men find arousing. Ice cream: the ultimate weapon of mass seduction. Who knew? 

1. Escentric Molecules’ Molecule 01, £72 for 100ml EDT, Liberty

2. Salt Of The Earth Natural Unscented Deodorant Spray, £3.79, Crystal Spring

3. Philips Series 1000 Bodygroom, £20, Boots

4. Pure Grace, £32.50 for 60ml EDT, Feel Unique

5. Lush Silky Underwear Dusting Powder, £6.50, Lush