Is Your Cologne Corrosive? Understanding Fragrance Safety

Colognes are often assumed to be harmless, but they can contain toxic chemicals that pose serious health risks. While colognes may smell delightful, they can contain hazardous synthetic chemicals, some of which are derived from petroleum. These toxic ingredients can include phthalates, styrene, musk ketone, benzaldehyde, and more. These chemicals have been linked to various health issues, including allergic reactions, hormonal imbalances, organ damage, respiratory problems, and even cancer. The potential dangers of colognes are further exacerbated by the lack of transparency in the fragrance industry, as manufacturers are not required to disclose all ingredients, often hiding behind the generic term fragrance on labels.

Cologne can contain toxic chemicals

Colognes can contain toxic chemicals, and consumers often have no way of knowing what these are because manufacturers are not required to disclose their ingredients, as fragrances are considered trade secrets. This means that colognes can contain a cocktail of toxic ingredients, lumped together under the single term "fragrance".

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) reports that colognes typically contain a dozen or more potentially hazardous synthetic chemicals, some of which are derived from petroleum. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics commissioned independent laboratory tests that revealed 38 secret chemicals in 17 leading fragrances. The average fragrance product tested contained 14 secret chemicals not listed on the label. These undisclosed ingredients are associated with hormone disruption, allergic reactions, and a host of other health issues.

Some of the specific toxic chemicals that have been found in colognes and other fragrances include:

• Phthalates: These are endocrine disruptors that have been linked to reduced sperm count, liver and breast cancers, reproductive malformations, diabetes, and obesity. Phthalates can also cause respiratory problems and have been linked to premature deaths among adults aged 55-64.
• Musk ketone: This chemical is a skin irritant and is also suspected to be a hormone disruptor. It has been shown to concentrate in human fat tissue and breast milk.
• Benzaldehyde: This substance is a narcotic and a lung and eye irritant, causing nausea, abdominal pain, and kidney damage.
• Benzyl acetate: This is a known carcinogen, causing eye and lung irritation as well as coughing.
• Camphor: This chemical can cause dizziness, confusion, nausea, muscle twitching, and convulsions.
• Ethyl acetate: This can cause eye and respiratory irritation.
• Limonene: This is a known carcinogen.
• Linalool: This chemical can cause respiratory disturbances, depression, and central nervous system disorders.
• Methylene chloride: This substance has been banned by the FDA due to its severe toxic effects, but it may still be found in fragrances.

The presence of these toxic chemicals in colognes and other fragrances poses a significant risk to human health. Consumers should be aware of the potential dangers and take steps to protect themselves, such as choosing fragrance-free products or those scented only with essential oils.

These chemicals can be harmful to humans

Colognes and perfumes are often associated with luxury and desirability. However, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers of these products. The fragrance industry is largely self-regulated, and manufacturers are not required by law to disclose all ingredients on their labels. This means that a single listing of "fragrance" or "parfum" on an ingredient list can hide a cocktail of toxic chemicals that can be harmful to human health.

One of the most commonly found toxic chemicals in fragrances is phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors. Phthalates have been linked to a range of health issues, including decreased IQ in children, reproductive and developmental toxicity, endocrine disruption, birth defects, respiratory problems, and lower sperm counts in men. They are also associated with premature deaths among adults aged 55-64. Another chemical often found in fragrances is musk ketone, which, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), is a possible carcinogen and immune-system disruptor. It can also cause skin irritation and hormone disruption.

Other toxic chemicals found in fragrances include benzaldehyde, a known narcotic that causes lung and eye irritation, nausea, abdominal pain, and kidney damage; benzyl acetate, which causes eye and lung irritation and coughing; and camphor, which can lead to dizziness, confusion, nausea, muscle twitching, and convulsions.

The effects of these toxic chemicals on human health can be severe. Studies have shown that exposure to fragrance chemicals can cause allergic reactions, headaches, sinus inflammation, itchiness, skin hives, and runny noses. More worryingly, they have also been linked to worse health conditions such as hormonal imbalances, nervous system damage, kidney damage, respiratory failure, intestinal inflammation, ataxia, dizziness, fatigue, and even cancer.

The good news is that consumers can take steps to protect themselves from the dangers of toxic fragrance chemicals. Firstly, it is important to be aware of these hidden chemicals and avoid products that list simply "fragrance" or "perfume" on their ingredient lists. Opt instead for products that list their ingredients transparently and use natural, organic, or plant-based alternatives.

They can also be harmful to the environment

Colognes and perfumes can be harmful to the environment, too. The chemical vapours found in fragrances, known as volatile organic compounds, have been linked to ozone pollution and the creation of fine particulates.

The production of colognes and perfumes also contributes to environmental damage. The process often involves the use of petrochemicals, which are derived from petroleum. This means that the production of fragrances can contribute to the planet's finite petroleum reserves being depleted more quickly, as well as contributing to the environmental damage associated with extracting and refining petroleum products.

In addition, the packaging of colognes and perfumes can be environmentally harmful. The bottles are often made of glass, which is heavy and therefore increases the carbon footprint of transporting the product. The bottles also often have plastic lids and pumps, and are packaged in cardboard boxes, which increases the amount of waste produced.

Overall, while colognes and perfumes can be enjoyable for people, they can also have negative consequences for the environment.

The fragrance industry is self-regulated

The fragrance industry is largely self-regulated, with safety standards set by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) and their research arm, the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM). This means that fragrance manufacturers are not required to have their products safety-tested by regulators before selling them to consumers.

The IFRA has approximately 80-90% of the perfume industry as members and sets voluntary safety standards that are not always followed or enforced. There are currently 186 banned or restricted substances on the IFRA safety standards list. However, the IFRA has been criticised for failing to set safety criteria for chemicals of concern, such as phthalates, musks, and various carcinogens.

The RIFM Expert Panel is meant to be an "independent" review board that helps oversee the Fragrance Safety Program. However, it has been criticised for operating in secret, without public oversight. There is also concern that the RIFM panel has not reviewed the safety of some of the most controversial fragrance ingredients, such as hormone-disrupting phthalates and musks, or carcinogens like styrene and pyridine.

The fragrance industry's self-regulation has been criticised for creating a conflict of interest, as the body responsible for determining the safety of fragrances is governed by a Board of Directors made up of the world's largest fragrance sellers. This gives them a financial incentive to ensure that their fragrances are deemed safe.

The industry has also been criticised for keeping fragrance ingredients secret, labelling them only as "fragrance" to protect their trade formulas. This makes it difficult for consumers to know what chemicals they are exposed to and can hinder the ability of regulators to access information about the safety of fragrance ingredients.

There are non-toxic alternatives available

The good news is that non-toxic alternatives to cologne do exist. Clean-smelling, toxin-free fragrances are becoming increasingly popular, and with good reason. The average fragrance product contains 14 secret chemicals not listed on the label, which can include hormone disruptors, carcinogens, and chemicals that accumulate in human tissue.

So, what are the alternatives? Firstly, it's important to note that ""natural fragrances" can be just as toxic as synthetic fragrances, and that "fragrance" or "parfum" on an ingredients list can hide a cocktail of more than 100 toxic ingredients. However, there are some great non-toxic cologne brands out there, including:

• Eden Perfumes, which offers vegan and cruelty-free fragrances that are free of synthetic preservatives, parabens, and phthalates.
• Herban Cowboy, a PETA-certified cruelty-free and vegan line that contains no phthalates, colorants, triclosan or parabens.
• Henry Rose, a line of fragrances that are EWG-verified and Cradle to Cradle Certified Gold, and are free of parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, and known or suspected carcinogens or endocrine disruptors.
• Nature's Brands, which offers organic, cruelty-free, and vegan fragrances that are free of petroleum-based ingredients, gluten, soy, dairy, GMOs, beeswax, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances, dyes, phthalates, parabens, and preservatives.
• Arcadia Natural, which offers a solid cologne that is vegan, phthalate-, preservative-, dye-, and alcohol-free.
• Olivina Men Natural Fragrance, a paraben-, petroleum-, phthalate- and silicone-free cologne that’s also cruelty-free and vegetarian.
• Aubrey Organics, which makes personal care products that are clean, pure, and fresh using all-natural formulas with organic ingredients, and are free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, artificial coloring, artificial fragrances, and animal testing.
• Dancing Dingo, a Leaping Bunny and PETA-approved brand that uses all-natural essential oils and is free of harsh chemicals and alcohol.
• Living Libations, which uses organic, wildcrafted, and vegan ingredients, and is free of parabens and sulfates, and cruelty-free.
• Clean Classic Cool Cotton, a vegan formula that is free of gluten, talc, sulfates, parabens, and dyes.
• Scotch Porter The Porter House Cologne, a cruelty-free, vegan cologne that is free of harmful chemicals, dyes, parabens, phthalates, silicon, and sulfates.
• Lake & Skye 11 11, a vegan, feel-good fragrance made with organic sugar cane alcohol.
• Duke Canon Solid Cologne, a cruelty-free, concentrated balm with a warm and woodsy fragrance.
• The Body Shop White Musk Perfume Oil, a gentle, vegan formula that won't irritate sensitive skin.
• Bond No. 9 Scent of Peace Natural, a blend of vegan essential oils crafted from raw materials.
• Barrel And Oak Cologne, a cruelty-free, earthy, fresh, and woodsy fragrance made without phthalates, dyes, parabens, and chemicals.

In addition to these brands, there are also some general guidelines to follow when choosing a non-toxic cologne. Firstly, opt for fragrances that contain recognizable, natural ingredients and are scented with organic essential oils. Secondly, be wary of big box stores, as many large manufacturers use low-quality, toxic ingredients to increase profit margins. Finally, remember that the term "natural" is not heavily regulated in the beauty industry, so it's important to read the ingredients list and look for products that are certified organic or have third-party verification, such as EWG verification.

Frequently asked questions