In a decision I hope not to regret, I’ve decided to stop gatekeeping my favorite cologne. Why? Simply put, I’ve never received as many compliments on a scent as I have with this one. It’s time, dear reader, to stop sleeping on a personal favorite of mine — a secret weapon in my grooming arsenal: Cremo palo santo men’s cologne. And the best part? It only costs $23.
Cremo’s palo santo cologne is described as a deep, smoky fragrance with bright notes of cardamom, dry papyrus, and aromatic palo santo. It’s sophisticated and multi-layered, evolving as the day goes on, and incredibly versatile — perfect for transitioning from day to night. I’d go as far as to call it an affordable alternative to the cult-favorite Santal 33 from Le Labo.
This is an eau de toilette, which, as a refresher, means it’s less concentrated than a perfume. That makes it ideal for everyday wear — noticeable without being overpowering.
One of the biggest perks of Cremo colognes (aside from the unbeatable price) is their long-lasting scent, which is why I consider them among the best in the men’s grooming space. In my experience, the scent with many high-end designer fragrances tends to fade quickly or turn overly alcohol-forward as the day goes on. Not this one. Just a few spritzes on my wrists, neck, and chest, and I’m good for the entire day.
For less than most people’s monthly streaming budget, you get a generous 3.4-ounce bottle housed in a simple, clear glass spray bottle that looks nice atop a dresser or bathroom vanity. Mileage may vary depending on how much you use, but I use mine daily and get about six months of out of a single bottle.
Cremo, available at Target, also offers a full range of other men’s grooming products — from body washes and beard oils to shaving cream and antiperspirants. Many of the brand’s signature scents, including palo santo, carry across product lines, so you can unify your routine and level up your overall scent game.
But don’t just take my word for it. (Or, rather, the word of everyone who’s smelled it on me.) See why hundreds of reviewers have given it 5 stars and are just as obsessed with this fragrance:
“Great cologne. The scent is not too heavy, or overpowering, but lingers. Fresh and clean.” – Dan
“Scent is fantastic. This is a great cologne with a rich multilayered scent.” – J. Evans
“Amazing and long lasting scent, I fell in love with it, I used it with the palo santo body wash and it lasted for several hours” – Alejandro Leal
“One of my favorite scents with long staying power. My girlfriend loves when I wear it!” – Adrian
“Put some on on the morning surprisingly the [scent] last all day! light, clean and smoky.” – J
“I absolutely love this scent. It smells clean and fresh without being overwhelmingly strong. It is also long lasting.” – Glen
“A truly remarkable scent. Very distinctive, but still subtle. I receive compliments all the time on the colognes I choose, but usually not like this.” – Russ