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The best sleep sprays work in two ways by helping you relax before bedtime and sleep more soundly. Many of these sprays contain melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone that can be made synthetically, but there are also melatonin-free alternatives. Sleep sprays are generally inexpensive, and you can often save money by subscribing to ongoing orders.

If you have a hard time winding down in the evening, a sleep spray can help you prepare for bed. Sleep sprays contain ingredients that promote feelings of relaxation and tiredness. Melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone naturally produced in the brain, is commonly found in supplemental form in sleep sprays, but some use a melatonin-free recipe with alternative ingredients.

Edible sleep sprays are usually applied under the tongue before your scheduled bedtime. The term “sleep spray” can also apply to non-ingestible scented sprays you can spritz on your pillow and sheets, which provide a relaxing smell to help you relax before sleep. Most sleep sprays do not require a prescription and can be obtained over the counter. These sprays are also fairly inexpensive, and many companies that sell sleep sprays offer discounts when you opt for a subscription plan.

In-Depth Reviews

The Baloo Living Pillow Mist is inexpensive, effective, and easy to use. A couple spritzes on your pillow and sheets before bed produces a soothing, pleasant scent that can reduce anxiety and help you sleep soundly.

Price

$18

Some sleep sprays contain ingredients like melatonin and are meant to be ingested, while others provide soothing aromatherapy. The Baloo Living Pillow Mist falls into the latter category. Four essential oils that promote relaxation — chrysanthemum, lavender, lemon, and rosemary — form a soothing blend that also smells quite nice. The formula does not contain artificial fragrances, animal-based materials, mineral oils, or silicone.

For best results, lightly spritz your pillow and sheets before getting into bed. The spray is immediately noticeable, but you may need a few minutes for the aroma to take full effect. Since the formula is water-based, it shouldn’t cause permanent damage to your bedding if correctly applied.

Each shipment includes a 3.4-ounce bottle. You don’t need much spray to achieve the desired effect, so one bottle could potentially last months. Baloo Living offers free delivery for orders of $100 or more, but flat-rate shipping is reasonable if you don’t reach this benchmark.

The Blissful Dreams Lavender Pillow Spray provides a soothing scent without being too strong or pungent. Although several ingredients are used, lavender oil is the star of the show.

Price

$15

Lavender-scented sprays aren’t for everyone, but those who enjoy this aroma should definitely check out the Blissful Dreams Lavender Pillow Spray from Plant Therapy. The smell is light and crisp, which may be ideal for those who have found other sleep sprays too overwhelming. Since the aroma is somewhat faint, you may need a few extra spritzes on your pillow and sheets to experience the full effect.

In addition to lavender oil, which has been shown to have a relaxing effect, the spray contains oil from the vetiver and Roman chamomile flowers. Some added bergamot peel also gives the aroma a citrusy finish. This is a water-based spray, so it shouldn’t stain or otherwise damage your bedding. The spray has also been third-party tested for safety when used on common sheet and pillowcase fabrics such as cotton, silk, and rayon.

Your order includes an 8-ounce bottle, ensuring you won’t run out for months even with nightly spritzes — though the spray has a shelf life of 2 years if you use it infrequently. This spray is designed for adults only. You can pay full price at checkout for a one-time purchase, or sign up for an ongoing subscription and receive a 5% discount.

Luna’s Somma Dream Sleep Pillow Spray is an inexpensive, melatonin-free option that combines the classic aromatherapy scents of lavender and chamomile oil. Additional citrus essences and extracts add to the soothing blend.

Most sleep sprays are relaxing by design, but the Somma Dream Sleep Pillow Spray from Luna — a company best known for weighted blankets — elevates this quality with a soothing blend of lavender and chamomile scent. Both of these essential oils are widely used for aromatherapy, and this spray effectively harnesses their calming properties.

Additional ingredients include olive oil and citrus sinensis peel extract, but the spray does not contain melatonin. Each vial holds 4 fluid ounces. With a couple light spritzes on your pillow each night, one container can last several months. A plastic cap locks in place over the applicator to help you prevent leaks and accidental spritzes.

The Somma Dream Sleep Pillow Spray is reasonably priced, and you’ll receive free shipping if you order three or more containers. Luna accepts returns of unused, unopened vials within 30 days.

The Swanwick Linen Spray offers the soothing power of aromatic natural lavender without extra ingredients that can make these products smell harsh. Lightweight, travel-friendly packaging should appeal to shoppers who enjoy using sleep sprays away from home.

Price

$22

Lavender is a popular choice for aromatherapy because of the plant’s natural relaxing properties. Unfortunately, a lot of lavender-scented products are cut with chemicals that harshen the smell and make it less pleasant. The Swanwick Linen Spray exclusively uses natural lavender produced in small batches from an organic farm in Canada. Although the lavender is distilled with copper, the spray smells refreshing without any chemical odor.

Swanwick recommends one to three spritzes on your pillowcase and sheets before bed, depending on your desired intensity level. Allow the spray to dry before your skin comes into contact with the bedding. You can also use the spray on your living room furniture to stave off stale odors. The container is made of aluminum and exceptionally lightweight, so you can pack the spray in your luggage next time you travel.

When not in use, store the spray in a cool, dry place where it won’t be exposed to direct heat, light, or oxygen. Keep the spray out of your children’s reach at all times. If you purchase three or more containers, Swanwick covers the shipping charges. You may return the Linen Spray unopened within 30 days of the delivery date.

The Onnit Instant Melatonin Spray is ideal for people who want to continue taking a sleep spray on a regular basis. By signing up for a subscription, you can choose to receive new shipments ranging from every 7 to 90 days.

Price

$13

For many people, sleep sprays become a crucial component of their nighttime routine, and replenishing their supply can be a hassle. Onnit offers customers two options when they purchase the Instant Melatonin Spray. You can choose a one-time purchase or sign up for a subscription and receive a 15% discount on your order. Subscribers can choose from seven plans, with delivery schedules ranging from once a week to every three months.

One spritz of the spray contains 0.5 milligrams of melatonin. This is a rather small dose, and the recommended serving size is six individual spritzes, but you may find that one or two is enough to help you relax and unwind before bed. Onnit recommends experimenting with your optimal nightly intake. Each canister contains about 180 spritzes, so one shipment could sustain you anywhere from one to six months. 

You can choose between mint and lavender flavors. If you opt for a subscription, note that your credit card will be charged automatically on the date your order is processed.

The Plant Therapy Monster Away Spray is specifically designed for kids who are afraid of the dark or anxious about falling asleep. This soothing blend of citrusy and woodsy scents is intended for children 2 years and older.

Price

$15

Many sleep sprays on the market are intended for adult use, but the Monster Away Spray from Plant Therapy was created with kids in mind. An essential oil blend of orange, cedarwood, ho wood, chamomile, and vetiver creates a scent that’s both citrusy and earthy with a bit of sweetness. The spray is intended for children who are 2 or older. 

As its name implies, the scent can be particularly beneficial for children who feel lonely, anxious, or scared in their bedroom at night. Parents should spritz their child’s pillow and sheets before bed, and prohibit kids from handling the bottle themselves. This is a water-based spray, so it won’t stain or damage your child’s bedding. 

Each order includes an 8-ounce bottle, which could potentially last for months even with nightly application. Customers may pay full price for a one-time purchase, but those who subscribe to Plant Therapy receive a 5% discount.

Why You Should Trust Us

At SleepFoundation.org, we rely on research and input from our team of experts who have many years of combined experience in the sleep product industry. We also routinely assess and reassess our guides, reviews, and product comparisons to ensure our information is accurate, up to date, and free of bias.

Our team personally tests most products in order to gauge their performance in certain areas. For sleep sprays and other medical supplements and devices, we don’t conduct firsthand testing and instead rely on our team’s collective expertise and knowledge of sleep health to evaluate these products.

What to Look For in a Sleep Spray

Sleep sprays are generally either an ingestible dietary supplement or a method of aromatherapy. In some cases, sleep sprays containing magnesium or other natural sleep aids are designed for topical application to the hands or feet. It is important to be aware of the type of sleep spray you are buying and to use it as directed.

Type of Sleep SprayHow It’s Used
IngestibleIngestible sleep sprays are designed to be spritzed on or under the tongue so that the body can absorb certain compounds that may contribute to better sleep. The ingredients are generally similar to what can be found in over-the-counter sleep supplements in pill or gummy forms.
AromatherapyAromatherapy sprays are made to provide a specific scent. Depending on the product, they may be applied to bedroom fabrics or to part of the skin.

Ingredients and Strength

A sleep spray’s ingredients are fundamental to how they may affect relaxation and sleep. For ingestible sleep sprays, ingredients may include melatonin, magnesium, or different minerals, vitamins, or natural extracts. Aromatherapy sprays generally include one or more types of essential oils with a scent intended to promote calmness and relaxation.

The strength of a sleep spray depends primarily on the ingredients used and their concentration. With ingestible sleep sprays, the strength can influence how intensely you may feel its effects. With aromatherapy sprays, the strength and concentration can dictate how potent the smell will be.

Look closely at the label of any sleep spray, including the list of ingredients and any suggested directions for use. Reviewing the ingredient list with a doctor can help reduce the risk of side effects or unwanted interactions if you take other medications.

Scent

Sleep sprays that rely on aromatherapy may contain a number of essential oils. Research has shown that exposure to certain smells may promote relaxation and aid sleep.

Examples of scents that may be found in aromatherapy sleep sprays include lavender, rose, chamomile, cedarwood, and bergamot. Some sprays may involve a blend of different smells or essential oils.

What Is a Sleep Spray?

A sleep spray is a liquid in a bottle that, when spritzed, is designed to enhance a person’s ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Some sleep sprays are applied in the mouth and are considered a dietary supplement. These sprays may contain melatonin, magnesium, or other vitamins or minerals intended to facilitate sleep.

Other kinds of sleep sprays are made with essential oils intended to provide calming aromatherapy around bedtime. These sprays are meant to be applied to fabrics or the skin and can involve scents like lavender and chamomile.

Who Are Sleep Sprays Good For?

Sleep sprays may be a good option for people who occasionally have difficulty sleeping. They are not intended to be a treatment for serious conditions like chronic insomnia or anxiety.

Ingestible sleep sprays may be most helpful for people who have a hard time swallowing pills, chewing gummies, or taking other forms of dietary supplements. While these products can be purchased without a prescription, it’s best to speak with a doctor about the potential benefits and downsides of any specific sleep spray.

Aromatherapy sleep sprays may be helpful for people who want to create a more relaxing sleep setting. Sprays containing calming scents like lavender and chamomile may help people wind down at bedtime. People who have significant smell sensitivities, allergies, or asthma should look closely at the ingredients before using an aromatherapy sleep spray.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best spray for deep sleep?

The best spray for deep sleep ultimately depends on your specific barriers to sleep. Many ingestible sprays contain synthetically produced melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep. However, taking melatonin is not advised for everyone, so talking with a doctor can help determine if it’s right for you. A doctor can also help you review other ingredients in sleep sprays to better understand their pros and cons.

How do sleep sprays work?

Ingestible sleep sprays work by allowing your body to absorb one or more compounds that are intended to support better sleep. In most cases, you spritz the spray into your mouth.

Aromatherapy sleep sprays work by adding a calming scent to your surroundings, such as your pillow, sheets, or pajamas. Some of these sprays may also be designed to add a smell to the air in your bedroom or to your skin.

Are sleep sprays effective?

Whether sleep sprays are effective can depend on their ingredients as well as the nature of your sleeping problems. Ingredients found in sleep sprays may promote sleep in certain circumstances, but no sleep spray will be effective or safe for everybody.

Which scent is best for sleep?

Sleep sprays are made with a variety of ingredients, and no single sleep spray will work for everyone. For aromatherapy sprays, a good place to start is to choose a spray that contains an ingredient whose smell you already know and find pleasant.

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