De Profundis is a highly beloved discontinued Serge Lutens fragrance with a devoted following in the r/fragrance community. While universally praised by those who own it as a top-tier scent, the main challenge is its scarcity and inflated secondary market prices, with authenticity concerns for potential buyers. The fragrance is considered a prized item among serious collectors.
Positive
Unique and distinctive scent that makes a strong impression
Purple color and beautiful bottle design
Long-lasting performance and sillage
Highly sought-after discontinued fragrance with devoted fans
Negative
Extremely difficult to find and expensive on secondary market
Counterfeit bottles circulating online
Community Sentiment Pulse — Poison
Mixed
66 opinions · Source: r/fragrance community
6.5
/10
Dior Poison is a highly polarizing fragrance with strong nostalgic value from the 1980s-90s era, praised for its unique dark character and longevity. However, modern reformulations have disappointed fans seeking the original intensity, and the scent's boldness makes it unsuitable for daily wear, limiting its appeal to adventurous fragrance enthusiasts and special occasion use.
Positive
Iconic 90s fragrance with historical significance and nostalgia
Strong longevity and projection
Unique dark, complex scent profile that stands out
Multiple variants in the line offer different expressions
Negative
Modern reformulation criticized for losing original DNA and potency
Not suitable for everyday wear due to intensity
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between De Profundis and Poison?+
De Profundis is a feminine fragrance (marketed to women, though wearable by all) from Serge Lutens (2011) dominated by Green accords. Poison is a feminine fragrance (marketed to women, though wearable by all) from Dior (1985) leaning on Fruity accords. They share 1 accord: Woody.
By community rating, De Profundis scores 4.29/5 vs Poison at 3.93/5. On r/fragrance, De Profundis sits at 8.2/10 (positive) while Poison is 6.5/10 (mixed). De Profundis's standout strength: Unique and distinctive scent that makes a strong impression. Poison's standout strength: Iconic 90s fragrance with historical significance and nostalgia. The "better" choice depends on what you value — longevity, projection, season fit, or signature character.
Do De Profundis and Poison smell similar?+
They share a small fraction of their ingredients — expect noticeably different experiences. De Profundis: De Profundis is a highly beloved discontinued Serge Lutens fragrance with a devoted following in the r/fragrance community. Poison: Dior Poison is a highly polarizing fragrance with strong nostalgic value from the 1980s-90s era, praised for its unique dark character and longevity.
Which lasts longer, De Profundis or Poison?+
De Profundis: Long-lasting performance and sillage Poison: Strong longevity and projection Longevity varies by skin chemistry, concentration, and application method.
Which season suits De Profundis vs Poison?+
De Profundis scores highest for fall wear; Poison scores highest for winter wear. De Profundis leans daytime, Poison leans evening.
Not for everyone - can be polarizing or challenging
Only available in limited quantities at Paris boutiques
Polarizing scent - many find it too dark, heavy, or challenging
Discontinued variants difficult and expensive to replace
