Lance Carson
Skylar Perfumes was founded by Cat Chen in 2017 as a cruelty-free, hypoallergenic fragrance brand. The brand was born out of Chen's struggle to find perfumes that were free of allergens and harmful chemicals yet still smelled fresh and sophisticated. Skylar has since grown to include 59 perfumes in its fragrance base, with new editions being released as recently as 2025. The brand has also unveiled a new logo, stronger formula concentrates, and sustainable packaging. In 2025, Love Island USA star Leah Kateb joined Skylar as its chief creative officer and co-founder, bringing with her a host of fresh fragrance ideas and community-building initiatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founder | Cat Chen |
| Year founded | 2017 |
| Chief Creative Officer and Co-founder | Leah Kateb |
| Number of perfumes | 59 |
| Brand values | Authenticity, diversity, and empowerment |
| Board composition | All-female |
| Product features | Cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, sustainable packaging |
| Product range | Boardwalk Delight Scent-Screen Mist, Coconut Cove, Fall Cashmere, Honeysuckle Dream, Peach Fields, Sunkissed Dahlia, Vanilla Sky, Emerald Rain, Willow, Green Awakening |
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What You'll Learn
Founder Cat Chen's motivation
Skylar Perfumes was founded by Cat Chen in 2017 as a cruelty-free, hypoallergenic scent solution. Chen's motivation for creating the brand stemmed from her desire to find a fragrance that was free from allergens and harmful chemicals yet still smelled fresh and sophisticated. She struggled to find such a product on the market, and so she decided to create her own.
Chen's conversations with other women revealed that many shared her desire for a natural perfume, and this insight helped shape Skylar's product offering. She collaborated with world-class perfumers to create a collection of fragrances that met her criteria. Chen's motivation to fill a gap in the market and provide a natural, hypoallergenic scent option for consumers like herself drove the development of the Skylar brand and its product line.
Chen also wanted to ensure that Skylar reflected her values and made a positive impact beyond just creating fragrances. To that end, the company has an all-female board, engages in philanthropic partnerships, and holds monthly diversity and inclusion seminars. These initiatives contribute to the brand's commitment to authenticity, diversity, and empowerment.
Additionally, Chen prioritized sustainability and innovation in her business strategy. In 2021, Skylar unveiled a new logo, stronger formula concentrates, and environmentally friendly packaging, transitioning from eau de toilette to eau de parfum. The brand also capitalized on the fragrance mist trend by launching its first SPF/fragrance hybrid, Boardwalk Delight Scent-Screen Mist. Boardwalk Delight became a popular fragrance in the Skylar lineup.
Chen's motivation to create Skylar was driven by her personal values, a gap she identified in the market, and her desire to make a positive impact. By focusing on natural ingredients, sustainability, and social responsibility, she has grown Skylar into a successful fragrance brand that resonates with consumers seeking hypoallergenic and cruelty-free options.
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Innovation and brand evolution
Skylar Perfumes was founded by Cat Chen in 2017 as a cruelty-free, hypoallergenic scent solution. The brand was born out of Chen's struggle to find fragrances that were free of allergens and harmful chemicals yet still smelled fresh and sophisticated.
Chen's conversations with other women helped shape Skylar's brand and values of authenticity, diversity, and empowerment. The brand's innovation and evolution can be seen in its collaboration with world-class perfumers like Doug Falcone, Sarah Horowitz, and Gabriela Chelariu, resulting in a collection of natural perfumes.
In 2025, four years after its founding, Skylar unveiled a brand evolution with a new logo, stronger formula concentrates, and sustainable packaging. They also expanded their product range, graduating from eau de toilette to eau de parfum. This included the release of Boardwalk Delight, a fragrance mist with SPF, capitalizing on the growing trend of fragrance mists.
The brand has also formed partnerships, including one with “Love Island USA” star Leah Kateb, who joined as Chief Creative Officer and co-founder. Under Kateb's creative direction, Skylar plans to launch new fragrances and host in-person activations to engage consumers with their scents.
Skylar's commitment to innovation and evolution is evident in its product development, branding, and partnerships, ensuring the brand remains relevant and appealing to consumers.
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All-female board and values
Skylar Perfumes is a cruelty-free, hypoallergenic fragrance brand founded by Cat Chen in 2017. The brand was born out of Chen's desire to create a perfume that was free of allergens and harmful chemicals while still smelling fresh and sophisticated.
The company's all-female board is an important part of its identity and growth story. This board, alongside ongoing philanthropic partnerships and monthly diversity and inclusion seminars, has helped Skylar strive towards making an impact that goes beyond fragrances.
The brand's values of authenticity, diversity, and empowerment are reflected in its products and marketing. Skylar's perfumes are designed to be inclusive and accessible, with a focus on natural, cruelty-free, and hypoallergenic ingredients. The brand name itself evokes these qualities, with "Skylar" representing a clear day—airy, natural, and beautiful.
In 2025, Love Island USA star Leah Kateb joined Skylar as its chief creative officer and co-founder. Kateb's creative direction has led to the development of fresh fragrances and in-person activations to engage consumers with the brand and build a community.
Skylar's all-female leadership team and commitment to creating inclusive, natural fragrances have been key to its growth and differentiation in the perfume industry. The brand's innovative, values-driven approach has helped it stand out in a competitive market and build a loyal customer base.
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Celebrity endorsement and creative direction
Celebrity endorsements and creative direction have played a pivotal role in Skylar Perfume's growth. The brand was originally founded by Cat Chen as a cruelty-free, hypoallergenic scent solution. In 2025, 'Love Island USA' star Leah Kateb joined Skylar as its chief creative officer and co-founder, bringing with her a significant social media following and a fresh perspective.
Kateb's creative direction has been instrumental in shaping the brand's future path. She plans to launch a series of new fragrances and host in-person activations to engage consumers with the scents. Her focus on community-building and authentic connections extends beyond traditional advertising, aiming to create a loyal customer base that feels involved in the brand's journey.
Kateb's own journey into perfumery began when she left her job as a quality control analyst to join the cast of "Love Island USA." Her reality TV platform has provided an invaluable promotional channel for Skylar, allowing her to connect with a wide audience and showcase the brand.
The collaboration between Kateb and Skylar exemplifies the power of celebrity endorsements in the fragrance industry. Kateb's influence and creative input have the potential to attract new customers and shape the brand's image, contributing to its overall growth and success. Her involvement underscores the importance of aligning with individuals who embody the brand's values and can effectively communicate its unique story.
Additionally, Skylar's all-female board and commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives further enhance its brand image and values. The company's focus on authenticity, diversity, and empowerment sets it apart and contributes to its unique appeal. This holistic approach to brand building, combining celebrity endorsements with a strong value system, has been a key factor in Skylar's growth strategy.
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Community-building and consumer connection
Skylar Perfumes, a cruelty-free, hypoallergenic fragrance brand founded by Cat Chen in 2017, has grown by focusing on community-building and consumer connection.
The brand was born out of Chen's struggle to find perfumes that were free of allergens and harmful chemicals yet still smelled fresh and sophisticated. She soon discovered that many other women were searching for the same thing, and their conversations organically shaped the creation of Skylar. This early emphasis on community and consumer connection laid the foundation for the brand's growth.
Skylar's values of authenticity, diversity, and empowerment are reflected in its all-female board, philanthropic partnerships, and diversity and inclusion seminars. These initiatives contribute to the brand's impact, which goes beyond creating fragrances.
The brand has also leveraged the influence of "Love Island USA" star Leah Kateb, who joined Skylar as Chief Creative Officer and co-founder in 2025. Kateb has directed the launch of fresh fragrances and hosted in-person activations to unite consumers with the new scents. She emphasizes the importance of connecting with supporters beyond social media, aiming to foster a community that feels like "ours" rather than just promoting a product.
Skylar's growth strategy includes engaging with consumers through in-person events and creating a community that extends beyond the brand's products. This approach helps to build a loyal customer base that feels connected to the brand and its values, contributing to Skylar's success and differentiation in the competitive fragrance market.
Additionally, Skylar has innovated by unveiling a new logo, stronger formula concentrates, and sustainable packaging. They also capitalized on the fragrance mist trend with their inaugural SPF/fragrance hybrid, Boardwalk Delight Scent-Screen Mist. This combination of community engagement, brand evolution, and trend awareness has contributed to Skylar's growth and impact in the fragrance industry.
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Frequently asked questions
Skylar Perfumes was founded in 2017 by Cat Chen.
Cat Chen was inspired to create Skylar Perfumes after she became more aware of everything she put on her body and wanted to find a fragrance that was free of allergens and harmful chemicals but couldn't find one on the market.
Skylar Perfumes grew by collaborating with world-class perfumers like Doug Falcone, Sarah Horowitz, and Gabriela Chelariu, and through testing products in real-life situations. The company also has an all-female board and places an emphasis on diversity and inclusion.
Some popular fragrances by Skylar include Fall Cashmere, Boardwalk Delight, Coconut Cove, Honeysuckle Dream, and Peach Fields.
The current chief creative officer and co-founder of Skylar Perfumes is Leah Kateb, who rose to fame through "Love Island USA".
