The Tropic so sleepy pillow mist is one of Dr Linsay Browning’s favourite sleep sprays. And after testing it for 16 nights, it’s become a central part of my night time routine. Tropic’s formula is centred on essential oils known for improving sleep and has a scent that’s well-rounded, with a punch of lavender that slowly reveals the other main ingredients – rosemary, chamomile, frankincense.
Like most pillow sprays, lavender is used in the formula for its effects on calming the mind and easing the stresses that might keep you up. Tropic blends it with rosemary, which is also known to relax brain activity.
Chamomile essential oil is included for its role in reducing anxiety and initiating sleepiness, while frankincense is an ancient remedy for promoting better sleep. The formula also includes palma rose, which is often found in diffusers to calm mental agitation.
Tropic suggests to spray 2-3 pumps of mist 30cm away from your pillow. I enjoyed spraying the mist both on my pillow but also around my bed, which created a little bubble of heavenly lavender and essential oils.
The scent lingered for around an hour so I liked to spray it as I was getting ready to wind down, leaving whispers of it remaining as I turned off the light. While using the spray, I experienced consistent and decent sleep, which I was really pleased about. The week before I had moments of struggling to switch off, and while I can’t count out other factors like stress and noise, I did feel an improvement in my night time routine and therefore quality of sleep.
It’s the routine it helps to create which is the main takeaway for me. Dr Browning explains, “Using the same scent at bedtime can help your mind associate that specific smell with sleep.” As someone who works, dresses and relaxes in my bedroom, the room’s function as a place to sleep can become lost. When I spritzed the mist, I found it helped to switch my focus towards sleep and allow the room to enter its nighttime function.
On familiarity, Dr Browning explains that “pillow sprays can also be helpful when travelling, as using a consistent and familiar smell can make an unfamiliar bed feel more like home.”
Alongside the scent and effects, I liked that the Tropic’s pillow mist comes in a glass bottle, as it’s something you don’t mind being on display and brings a further elegance to night time routine. At £20 for 75ml, it’s on the pricey side but I would say it would last a good few months (depending on how liberally you use it) – which I feel is worth it for blissful nodding off.
I also tried Dr Browning’s other recommendation, the Spritz sleep atmosphere mist pillow spray (£17, Spritzwellness.com). It’s a very natural and lovely blend of four all-natural essential oils, but I found myself choosing the Tropic spray as I prefer the richer scent. As Dr Browning explained: “The reality is, it’s all about finding one that you like the smell of.”
If you’re after a budget choice, Dr Browning also recommends the Feather and Down sweet dreams pillow spray (£5.33, Boots.com).
