Hetkinen: The scent of pure Finnish forests bottled for the world to enjoy

By Molly McPharlin | Photos: Lena Zakharova

Hetkinen is a scent and design house born from the stillness and strength of the Finnish forest. Founded in 2018 by designer Mona Isotupa, Hetkinen captures the soul of nature – its scents, textures, and quiet wisdom – and transforms them into sensory objects that bring calm, clarity, and connection. The name – Hetkinen, or wait a moment – reflects the company’s philosophy: to pause, breathe, and return to what truly matters.

Scent is not just a product. It is an experience, a moment of well-being. Through timeless design, Hetkinen brings the Finnish forest into everyday life – not just as fragrance, but as atmosphere, presence, and beauty.

Hetkinen’s scents evoke elements of the Finnish pine forest.

Since its foundation, Hetkinen has grown significantly and today it has a strong international presence, especially in Hong Kong and Japan. “Our natural scents and Nordic design
philosophy resonate deeply,” says Isotupa. “People living in large, fast-paced cities
are drawn to what Hetkinen offers; quiet rituals, pure aesthetics, and the
scent of the forest.”

In 2024, Hetkinen opened its first physical space, The Hetkinen Gallery, in the dynamic, culturally rich city of Turku on Finland’s west coast. There, visitors can explore the full collection, create their own unique perfume in the Scent Atelier, or refill empty bottles of diffuser or soap at the refill station. “It’s a complete brand experience,” confirms Isotupa. “The space is calm, inspiring, and designed to engage all one’s senses.” Every product is rooted in organic ingredients using plant-based materials, as they have been since the beginning.

Hetkinen: The scent of pure Finnish forests bottled for the world to enjoy

Scents and diffusers are all now packaged in recyclable glass.

Scents are crafted with precision, using natural ingredients and layered compositions that evoke place, memory, and mood. Design plays a central role. Inspired by Nordic clarity and Japanese harmony, the products are created to be both beautiful and meaningful. Native Finnish pine is thoughtfully used in elements like candle lids and diffuser sticks, bringing a tactile link to the forest into everyday life. Hetkinen’s scents are for everyone – timeless and inclusive, beyond age, gender, or trend. They are not just products, but sensory moments that bring the forest closer, wherever you are.

Hetikinen is committed to moving away from plastics in its production and packaging. Photo: Lena Zakharova

Recent additions to the perfume and scent diffuser collections have quickly become customer favourites. “Without a doubt, our Forest Riot perfume and Pine Forest diffuser are the most popular,” says Hetkinen. “Both capture the essence of a true Finnish forest – raw, clean, and deeply grounded.” The company has also made a recent change in its soap collection, and all are now packaged exclusively in glass bottles, as Hetkinen is committed to eliminating plastic from its production.

For the future, Hetkinen plans to continue to develop as a globally recognised natural scent house, with its roots still firmly planted in the Finnish forest. “Our aim is to deepen our product development and expand internationally – always guided by quality, sustainability, and respect for nature,“ says Isotupa. “At the same time, we want to create more meaningful spaces and moments for people to pause, reflect, and reconnect within – whether through scent, design, or experiences.”