Jean Paul Gaultier makes some of the most recognizable bottles in men's fragrance — the sailor-striped torso in a metal tin — and some of the most complimented scents. The Le Male family has grown from the 1995 original to an Elixir, and Le Beau and Scandal add sweeter, warmer options. Every bottle below is sold on Amazon by Jean Paul Gaultier's own store.
| 01 | 01Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Elixir (75 ml)Best overall | Shop → |
| 02 | 02Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Le Parfum (125 ml)Best for evenings | Shop → |
| 03 | 03Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau EDT (75 ml)Best for summer | Shop → |
| 04 | 04Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male EDT (125 ml)Best classic | Shop → |
| 05 | 05Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau Le Parfum Intense (75 ml)Best sweet tropical | Shop → |
| 06 | 06Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal Pour Homme EDT (100 ml)Best amber | Shop → |
| 07 | 07Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male In Blue EDP (125 ml)Best limited edition | Shop → |
The Gaultier Lineup at a Glance
Le Male launched in 1995 and is still the core of the range. Le Male Le Parfum and Le Male Elixir are stronger, warmer versions of it. Le Beau (2019) is the tropical, coconut-and-tonka line, and Scandal Pour Homme (2017) is the caramel-and-vetiver one — the dates are from Jean Paul Gaultier's own listings.
Most of the range leans sweet, warm and loud. That makes Gaultier a strong choice for evenings and dates, and a weaker one for a quiet office.
How to Choose
- The one everyone compliments: Le Male Elixir.
- Evenings and dates: Le Male Le Parfum.
- Summer: Le Beau EDT.
- The classic: Le Male EDT.
- Warm and sweet, all seasons: Scandal Pour Homme.
Best Jean Paul Gaultier Colognes 2026 — The Rankings
1. Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Elixir (75 ml) ($141) — BEST OVERALL
Le Male Elixir is, in Gaultier's words, the most powerful expression of the Le Male line. Bergamot and mint open into lavender and tonka bean, over benzoin and amber. It is a parfum, so a few sprays go a long way. Gaultier pitches it for the evening and date nights, and it is the bottle we would buy first. About $141 for 75 ml (sold by Jean Paul Gaultier).
2. Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Le Parfum (125 ml) ($160) — BEST FOR EVENINGS
Le Male Le Parfum is the darker, more elegant take: cardamom, then lavender and iris, over vanilla and amber. Gaultier describes it as an intense woody amber eau de parfum for evenings and special occasions. At this size it is also good value at about $1.28 per ml. About $160 for 125 ml (sold by Jean Paul Gaultier).
3. Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau EDT (75 ml) ($110) — BEST FOR SUMMER
Le Beau is the summer pick: bergamot, coconut wood and tonka bean. Gaultier describes it as an aromatic woody fragrance with bold sillage. Bright and a little tropical, it suits warm weather better than anything else here. About $110 for 75 ml (sold by Jean Paul Gaultier).
4. Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male EDT (125 ml) ($132) — BEST CLASSIC
The 1995 original that made the torso bottle famous. Gaultier's listing calls it a woody fragrance and doesn't give the notes, so we'll leave it there. It is the lightest Le Male and the cheapest per milliliter here, at about $1.06 per ml. About $132 for 125 ml (sold by Jean Paul Gaultier).
5. Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau Le Parfum Intense (75 ml) ($134) — BEST SWEET TROPICAL
Le Beau Le Parfum Intense is Le Beau turned up for the evening: ginger and pineapple, a creamy tonka heart, then ambergris and sandalwood. If you like Le Beau but want it to last longer and feel warmer, this is the upgrade. About $134 for 75 ml (sold by Jean Paul Gaultier).
6. Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal Pour Homme EDT (100 ml) ($142) — BEST AMBER
Scandal Pour Homme opens with clary sage, puts a caramel-like tonka bean at its heart, and settles on vetiver. Gaultier describes it as amber woody and long-lasting, versatile across the seasons. The bottle is refillable. About $142 for 100 ml (sold by Jean Paul Gaultier).
7. Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male In Blue EDP (125 ml) ($145) — BEST LIMITED EDITION
Le Male In Blue is a limited-edition eau de parfum: lavender, anise and benzoin, which Gaultier describes as spicy and aromatic. It comes in a deep blue striped bottle and a wave-tattooed tin. Buy it if you collect the bottles or want a twist on Le Male; it won't be around forever. About $145 for 125 ml (sold by Jean Paul Gaultier).
Comparison Table
| FRAGRANCE | STYLE | BEST FOR | SIZE | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Male Elixir | Lavender, tonka, amber (parfum) | Evenings, dates | 75 ml | $141 |
| Le Male Le Parfum | Cardamom, iris, vanilla | Evenings | 125 ml | $160 |
| Le Beau EDT | Coconut wood, tonka | Summer | 75 ml | $110 |
| Le Male EDT | Woody, the original | Everyday | 125 ml | $132 |
| Le Beau Le Parfum Intense | Pineapple, tonka, sandalwood | Warm evenings | 75 ml | $134 |
| Scandal Pour Homme | Clary sage, tonka, vetiver | All seasons | 100 ml | $142 |
| Le Male In Blue | Lavender, anise, benzoin | Collectors | 125 ml | $145 |
How Many Sprays?
Gaultier's fragrances are strong, especially the Elixir and Le Parfum versions. Two or three sprays — chest and neck — is plenty for the office or a dinner; add more only for outdoor evenings. Our signature scent guide covers how to test before you commit.
FAQ
Which Jean Paul Gaultier cologne is best?
Le Male Elixir is our pick overall. Le Male Le Parfum is the best for evenings, Le Beau EDT is the best for summer, and the original Le Male EDT is the best value.
What is the difference between Le Male, Le Male Le Parfum and Le Male Elixir?
They get stronger and warmer in that order. Le Male is the 1995 eau de toilette, Le Parfum is an intense eau de parfum with iris and vanilla, and Elixir is a parfum with lavender, tonka, benzoin and amber.
Is Jean Paul Gaultier good for summer?
Le Beau EDT is. Most of the range — especially Le Male Elixir, Le Parfum and Scandal — is warm and sweet and better in cooler weather or at night.
Are Jean Paul Gaultier fragrances long-lasting?
Gaultier describes Le Male Elixir, Le Beau and Scandal Pour Homme as long-lasting, and the parfum and eau de parfum versions are the strongest.
Comparing houses? See our Armani and Montblanc guides, or our best winter cologne guide.
