Nature and the great outdoors served as the inspiration for Breathe from Akro. However, I’m convinced the inspiration for the scent came from men’s designer aquatic scents, such as Versace Man Eau Fraiche or Chanel Allure Sport, and to a lesser extent, the Light Blue’s from D&G. Breathe resembles the light, faux fougère marine scents that have flooded the market over the years, most of which trace their origins back to the 1990s. It hardly feels like a breath of fresh air in 2025.
Dihydromyrcenol forms the backbone of the fragrance. It’s a synthetic that produces an aroma reminiscent of supermarket men’s deodorant or grooming product. Indeed, a very common “generic man” lavender lime aroma. If not used well, it may come across as cheap and passé. I’m not satisfied it’s used brilliantly in Breathe. There’s probably a touch of Calone in the mix, too, before Breathe descends into a haze of musk. I felt like I’d travelled back in time a couple of decades as soon as I sprayed. I don’t loathe this style of scent as much as modern-day woody ambers, though. But we didn’t need another one; there’s an ocean’s worth out there.
Everything old is new again, I suppose. Inevitably, styles return to fashion. Heck, Oasis is back on the scene, but Breathe smells more like something concocted by the Chemical Brothers. It never once made me think of nature. Instead, it evokes images of laboratories and white coats. I wouldn’t recommend Breathe over a cheaper scent such as Versace Man Eau Fraiche or D&G Light Blue, but as I alluded to above, I’d sooner wear this over any of the jarring modern lab creations that scream and shout.
I washed Breathe off and got out in nature to take a few photos, lamenting the missed opportunity for the house. Infuse was the last Akro that deserved attention; before that, we had Ink. However, it’s also important to acknowledge the listless releases. Interspersed among the better releases were the likes of Smile, Glow, East, and Rise. That’s a lot of filler. They’re due for something better. Maybe it’ll be the gourmand Crush. I won’t hold my breath, though.
Has anyone tried Crush yet? It looks to be a sequel to Bake.
Note: Sample purchased by me. Bottle image from Akro. All other photos are my own.