How do we know
if we want to see “fragrance”
on the back of a product’s label?

Fragrance remains a highly debated topic – not only in the natural & organic skin care world, but also in the beauty sector as a whole. While most customers love a product that smells nice (aromatherapy, anyone?), others claim that it can often cause major irritation to their skin – which indeed might be the cause. Skin with high sensitivity to essential oils (or just generally irritable skin) can get aggravated by even the most natural & pure (but nonetheless allergy-triggering) moisturizing agents. That is not the case with every single person, but especially those skin types prone to eczema or redness or blemishes should try out some skin care alternatives that don’t have these ingredients.

In this column, we shed light on the ingredients listed on our self-care products. We know how tough it can be to understand the gibberish that often disguised as an ingredient. In our mission to promote a healthy skin, lifestyle and world, we believe that the first step is advocating for educated consumption. Practice self-love by knowing exactly what you’re putting in your body AND on your body.

Always remember when looking at an ingredient list:

1. The main ingredient is first, and then it goes down the list
2. If it sounds like a science experiment, it’s probably not good for you
3. As a general rule, the fewer ingredients the better
   
   

Fragrance

Synonym(s): parfum, aroma

Shampoos, laundry powders, perfume, air fresheners and candles all have one thing in common: they all contain fragrances. While there are naturally derived fragrances, more often than not fragrances are a concoction of synthetic chemicals, of which some are reported to have troubling and hazardous properties.

These days, you’ll find fragrances are everywhere, and not just in your home and self care products, but surrounding us in the workplace, school, hospitals and public transport. Voluntarily or not, we are exposed to them.

The problem with fragrances

More than 2500 chemical ingredients are used in the manufacturing of fragrances, with several hundred or more different ingredients making up a single fragrance.

Research is now calling fragrances “the new secondhand smoke”¹ – and like secondhand smoke, it’s not the scent that causes harm. Synthetic fragrances are derived from cheaply sourced petrochemicals, and it’s the properties in those synthetic chemicals which are considered harmful.

Even more worrisome, there are also fragrance ingredients such as phthalates which can enhance or give a long-lasting effect to a scent. Phthalates are a family of chemicals that have been listed by the EU as a potential endocrine disruptor.

The EU Commission states²:

“Endocrine disruptors interfere with natural hormone systems, and the health effects can be felt long after the exposure has stopped. Exposure to endocrine disruptors in the womb can have life-long effects and can even have consequences for the next generation.”

Fragrance sensitivity

While there is no diagnostic test for fragrance sensitivity, some attribute chemical exposure to the list of symptoms they experience. From coughing & sneezing, to tightening of the throat or an asthmatic attack – even migraines and nausea are not uncommon. Fragrances in self-care products and cosmetics are also known to cause skin irritation, or tearing and inflamed eyes.

And this is more common than you might think – with workplaces, schools and hospitals now implementing a scent-reduction or “scent-free” policy. These kinds of policies ask people entering these places to not wear perfumed products.

The verdict

While you may not be able to escape all the fragrance chemicals in your environment, you at least have consumer choice. When reading the ingredient label on the back of your products, if it lists “fragrance” or “parfum”, avoid it. Let your purchasing power be your vote and buy products that don’t contain fragrances. The more people who do this, the more inclined the industries which produce these synthetic fragrances will be to change.

To avoid irritation from synthetic chemicals, there are essential oils in perfumes & self-care products that offer an excellent alternative to fragrance or parfum. Otherwise, you can try out some of these fragrance-free product ranges:

FYI Cosmetics

Votary

Balm Balm

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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in August 2017 and was updated in November 2019 for accuracy.

Resources:
1. Fragrance in the work place is now the new second hand smoke
2. EU Commission