What Is This Works Own Time Perfume?

Own Time isn’t marketed as a traditional perfume. According to This Works, it’s crafted with specific aromatic molecules inspired by neuroscience that may help signal to the brain that it’s time to shift into rest mode.

Where many scent products for evening use come as pillow sprays or pure aromatherapy, This Works Own Time Perfume is an eau de parfum you wear on your skin and it’s meant to be part of a wind-down ritual, not a one-off sleep trick.

I was drawn to it because I’m curious about products that go beyond surface beauty and actually support wellbeing, especially sleep. After trying it post-workout, during evening TV sessions and noticing how it felt during night waking, I thought it was worth writing about early.

Fragrance Notes & How They Work

This Works Own Time Perfume isn’t built around scent alone. It’s designed with an understanding of how certain aromatic compounds can interact with the nervous system. In particular, the fragrance includes notes that are naturally rich in terpenes and sesquiterpenes, which are aromatic molecules commonly found in plants, resins and essential oils.

These compounds are often discussed in the context of aromatherapy because of their potential to influence mood, stress response and relaxation via the olfactory system, which has a direct pathway to areas of the brain involved in emotion and memory.

Top Notes

• Pink Peppercorn
• Rose
• Lemon Myrtle

Lemon myrtle is naturally high in terpenes such as citral, which are associated with a fresh, uplifting aroma that can help counter feelings of mental fatigue without being stimulating. Pink pepper adds warmth and softness, helping the opening feel gently engaging rather than sharp or energising.

The effect is a top note that feels clarifying but calm, awake, but not wired.

Heart Notes

• Cardamom
• Olibanum (Frankincense)
• Cyclamen

This is where sesquiterpenes start to play a more noticeable role. Frankincense, in particular, contains sesquiterpenes that are often associated with grounding and calming effects. These heavier aromatic molecules are thought to interact more slowly with the nervous system, which may help support a feeling of emotional steadiness.

Cardamom adds aromatic warmth without sweetness, contributing to a sense of comfort rather than stimulation.

Base Notes

• Sandalwood
• Musk
• Incense

The base notes are where the fragrance really settles, and they’re also where sesquiterpenes are most prominent. Sandalwood and incense are traditionally associated with relaxation and meditation, partly because their aromatic compounds are believed to encourage slower, deeper breathing and a more settled nervous system response.

This may help explain why the scent feels reassuring rather than attention-grabbing, and why it lingers quietly on the skin without feeling intrusive, especially noticeable during the night.

How This Translates in Real Life

Rather than acting like a sedative, fragrances rich in terpenes and sesquiterpenes are often described as supportive, helping the body feel safe enough to relax. In the case of This Works Own Time Perfume, this seems to show up as a subtle cue to slow down, making it particularly well suited to evening use or moments when the nervous system feels overstimulated.

The first time I used This Works Own Time Perfume was after a late gym session. My body was physically tired but my nervous system was still buzzing. Spraying the fragrance felt like setting a new tone, as if it helped me mentally mark the shift from activity to rest. It didn’t suddenly make me sleepy, but it did help me feel more settled.

During Night Waking

Even when I wake in the middle of the night (which I usually do, even on good nights), the scent was comforting rather than distracting. I could still softly smell it on my wrist, and it felt familiar, almost reassuring, rather than pulling me into thoughts or alertness.

Does It Actually Help With Sleep?

This is obviously the big question.

This Works Own Time Perfume isn’t a supplement or a sleep aid in the traditional sense, and I wouldn’t describe it as something that puts you to sleep. What it seems to do, at least for me, is support relaxation and help my nervous system feel more settled in the evening.

One thing I did find particularly interesting was what happened on the third night I used it. According to my Oura Ring, I achieved 1 hour and 42 minutes of deep sleep, which is significantly higher than my usual 14-day average of 58 minutes. I’m very conscious that sleep is influenced by lots of factors, and I wouldn’t attribute that result solely to a fragrance, but it was notable enough to mention.

For me, Own Time works best as part of an evening wind-down routine, rather than as a standalone solution. It feels like a gentle signal to slow down, something that pairs well with other calming habits and, if you use them, sleep-support supplements. I’ve linked a couple of those below for context.

If you’re interested in gentle, non-medicated support for sleep and relaxation, beyond fragrance, here are two products I’ve reviewed that many readers find helpful as part of an evening wind-down routine:

• You’re Looking Well Night Pill Review – My honest take on this supplement designed to support deeper sleep naturally.
• Marie Reynolds Zedz Night Time Blend Review – A calming herbal and botanical blend that pairs well with evening rituals.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Encourages deeper relaxation, which for me coincided with significantly more deep sleep (1h 42m on Oura vs usual 58m)
• A nuanced, layered fragrance – more than a standard herbal sleep spray
• Works as both a fragrance and a mindful wind-down cue
• Subtle but reassuring presence during night waking

Cons

• Premium price point
• Won’t replace clinical sleep solutions for those with major sleep disorders
• Might feel too complex if you prefer ultra-simple calming scents

Where to buy it

This Works Own Time Perfume is £80 for 50ml, or £25 for 10ml, and it is available now via the links below: