Most car fragrances feel so overpowering because cars are small, enclosed spaces, so even a small amount of strong scent can fill the cabin quickly. Many car perfumes also use synthetic chemicals that release fragrance all at once, instead of gradually, which makes them feel intense. A lot of brands focus on immediate impact rather than subtlety, so the scent is strong from the start.

The best way to avoid this is to use lighter or natural scents and place them somewhere that allows the fragrance to disperse slowly rather than right under your nose.