The Heritage
The Story of Skylar
Skylar is a Los Angeles‑based fragrance house that builds its line around clean, hypoallergenic scents. Founded in 2017, the brand offers vegan, cruelty‑free perfumes that aim to sit gently on sensitive skin while delivering recognizable California moments. From the bright citrus of Night Boss (2025) to the sun‑kissed bloom of Sunkissed Dahlia (2023), each bottle carries a modern, breathable character that feels both familiar and new.
Heritage
Cat Chen, a Taiwanese‑American entrepreneur, launched Skylar in April 2017 after her infant daughter reacted to conventional perfume ingredients. Determined to create a fragrance that would not trigger allergies, Chen assembled a team of chemists and began formulating a fragrance‑free base that could host a range of natural aroma notes without common irritants. Within six months the brand secured a placement at Sephora, a milestone that introduced the clean‑fragrance concept to a wider U.S. audience. Over the next few years Skylar expanded its catalogue, adding seasonal releases such as Capri Summer and Wild Oolong, and earned placement in boutique retailers that prioritize vegan and cruelty‑free standards. In 2022 the company introduced Papaya Paradise, a tropical blend that highlighted its growing confidence in bold, yet skin‑safe, compositions. The following year, Skylar announced a partnership with Starco Brands, a move that provided additional distribution capacity while preserving the brand’s independent ethos. Early 2023 marked another turning point when Leah Kateb, known for her work in lifestyle media, joined as Chief Creative Officer and “Refounder.” Kateb’s appointment signaled a renewed focus on storytelling and visual identity, while the core commitment to clean chemistry remained unchanged. Recent releases such as Night Boss (2025) and Sticky Mango (2025) illustrate how the brand continues to translate California’s diverse landscapes into scent, balancing playful fruit notes with the restraint required for hypoallergenic performance. Throughout its evolution, Skylar has maintained a transparent ingredient policy, publishing full ingredient lists on its website and subjecting each formula to third‑party dermatological testing.
Craftsmanship
Skylar develops its perfumes in partnership with independent laboratories that specialize in clean chemistry. The process begins with a fragrance‑free carrier that is free of common allergens such as synthetic musks, phthalates, and parabens. Once the base is approved, perfumers select natural essential oils, absolutes, and aroma chemicals that meet the brand’s vegan criteria. Each raw material is traced back to its origin; for example, the bergamot used in Sweet Morningside (2024) comes from a coastal grove in Calabria that follows organic farming practices. After formulation, the blend undergoes dermatological testing conducted by third‑party labs to verify hypoallergenicity and to ensure the final product complies with FDA cosmetic regulations. Production runs are executed in facilities that hold ISO 9001 certification, guaranteeing consistent quality control from batch to batch. Bottles are filled using automated equipment that minimizes human contact, reducing the risk of contamination. Skylar also invests in sustainable packaging: glass containers are made from recycled material, and caps are produced from post‑consumer recycled plastic. The brand’s commitment to clean performance extends to its supply chain; logistics partners are selected based on carbon‑offset programs, and the company reports annual reductions in its transportation footprint. By integrating rigorous testing, traceable sourcing, and environmentally conscious manufacturing, Skylar delivers scents that feel light on the skin while upholding high standards of safety and quality.
Design Language
Visually, Skylar embraces a minimalist California vibe. Bottles feature clear glass with soft‑rounded shoulders, allowing the perfume’s hue to become the focal point. Labels are printed on matte white paper with simple sans‑serif typography, often accented by a single pastel stripe that hints at the scent’s character – a teal line for Night Boss, a coral dash for Sticky Mango. The brand’s photography favors natural light, open spaces, and everyday moments such as a sunrise over a pier or a picnic on a sun‑warmed patio. Packaging materials are recyclable, and the company has introduced a refill program for select fragrances, encouraging customers to reuse the glass vessels. Digital assets maintain the same clean aesthetic, using muted color palettes and generous whitespace to let product images breathe. This consistent visual language reinforces Skylar’s promise of uncomplicated, skin‑friendly fragrance that feels as effortless as a California afternoon.
Philosophy
Skylar’s creative vision rests on three pillars: safety, inclusivity, and a sense of place. The brand believes that fragrance should be accessible to anyone, regardless of skin sensitivity, and therefore prioritises hypoallergenic ingredients that meet vegan and cruelty‑free standards. Sustainability informs sourcing decisions; plant extracts are obtained from farms that practice responsible agriculture, and the company favors suppliers who can certify low pesticide use. Rather than chasing fleeting trends, Skylar draws inspiration from California’s everyday moments – a sunrise over the Pacific, a late‑summer orchard, a breezy desert road – and translates those scenes into scent narratives that feel personal yet universal. The house treats each perfume as a chapter in a larger story, encouraging wearers to layer scents in ways that reflect their own moods. Transparency is a core value: every bottle includes a complete ingredient disclosure, and the brand routinely shares testing results with consumers who seek reassurance about skin compatibility. This approach positions Skylar less as a luxury label and more as a trusted companion for people who want fragrance without compromise.
Key Milestones
2017
Cat Chen founds Skylar in Los Angeles after her daughter experiences allergic reactions to conventional perfume.
2018
Skylar secures its first major retail partnership with Sephora, introducing clean fragrance to a broader market.
2022
Launch of Papaya Paradise, the brand’s first tropical‑focused scent, highlighting expanded ingredient sourcing.
2023
Starco Brands acquires a minority stake in Skylar, providing additional distribution while preserving brand independence.
2023
Leah Kateb joins as Chief Creative Officer and Refounder, steering visual storytelling and new product development.
2025
Release of Night Boss and Sticky Mango, two fragrances that blend bold fruit notes with the brand’s hypoallergenic base.
At a Glance
Brand profile snapshot
Origin
United States
Founded
2017
Heritage
9
Years active
Collection
2
Fragrances released
Avg Rating
4.2
Community sentiment
Release Rhythm