Fragrance Allergies: Millions Affected, But Why?

Fragrance allergies are a common issue, affecting 1-11% of the general population. In Europe, 1-3% of the population is allergic to common fragrance ingredients, while in the general adult population, up to 4.5% may be allergic to fragrance materials. This translates to tens of millions of people globally, with women and children disproportionately impacted. Fragrance allergy is well-recognised, with a European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety review listing 82 substances as contact allergens, including 12 chemicals and 8 natural extracts at high risk of causing sensitisation.

Women are disproportionately impacted by fragrance allergies

Fragrance allergies are a well-recognised issue, with a European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety review of fragrances in 2011 listing 82 substances that had been established as contact allergens, including 54 synthetic chemicals and 28 natural extracts. Twelve of the chemicals and eight of the natural extracts were listed as being at high risk of causing sensitisation.

Women are more likely to use fragranced products, and therefore more likely to be exposed to fragrance allergens. In addition, fragrance allergy rates in children have been rising dramatically in the last few decades, which may be due to the increasing use of fragranced products by young people.

The impact of fragrance allergies on women is significant, as they may experience negative health consequences, such as interference with hormones and reproductive harm, in addition to the allergy symptoms themselves.

Rates of fragrance allergies in children are rising

Women are disproportionately impacted by fragrance allergies, and the rates in children have been rising dramatically in the last few decades. Fragrance allergy is well-recognised, and a European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety review of fragrances in 2011 listed 82 substances that had been established as contact allergens, including 54 synthetic chemicals and 28 natural extracts. Twelve of the chemicals and eight of the natural extracts were listed as being at high risk of causing sensitisation.

Among the most common are the 15 fragrances that can be identified by patch testing with balsam of Peru, Fragrance Mix I (FM I), and Fragrance Mix II (FM II). The aforementioned Cosmetic Regulation states that any of the 26 allergens mentioned in Annex III should be mentioned in the ingredients, but only if leave-on products (e.g. body lotion, make-up) exceed 0.001% of the total concentration, and rinse-off products (e.g. shower gel, shampoo) exceed 0.01% of the total concentration.

A list of 26 substances that have to be identified on products to inform consumers was established in 1999 by the European Commission. Their usage and limit are regulated by IFRA.

Fragrance allergy affects 2 to 11% of the general population

In the general adult population, up to 4.5% may be allergic to fragrance materials. Almost 20% of the general population is sensitized to at least one allergen, and studies find that fragrance is one of the most frequently identified substances causing allergic reactions.

Anyone who uses or is exposed to fragranced products can become sensitized to them over time. A European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety review of fragrances in 2011 listed 82 substances that had been established as contact allergens, including 54 synthetic chemicals and 28 natural extracts. Twelve of the chemicals and eight of the natural extracts were listed as being at high risk of causing sensitization. From the everyday population, 1-3% of Europeans show allergic reactions to common fragrance ingredients.

82 substances have been established as contact allergens

Fragrance allergies affect 2 to 11% of the general population. In the adult population, up to 4.5% may be allergic to fragrance materials. This translates to tens of millions of people globally. Women are disproportionately impacted by fragrance allergies, and the rates in children have been rising dramatically in the last few decades. Almost 20% of the general population is sensitised to at least one allergen, and fragrance is one of the most frequently identified substances causing allergic reactions.

In 2011, a European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety review of fragrances listed 82 substances that had been established as contact allergens. These included 54 synthetic chemicals and 28 natural extracts. Twelve of the chemicals and eight of the natural extracts were listed as being at high risk of causing sensitisation. Among the most common are the 15 fragrances that can be identified by patch testing with balsam of Peru, Fragrance Mix I (FM I), and Fragrance Mix II (FM II).

The European Commission established a list of 26 substances that must be identified on products to inform consumers in 1999. Their usage and limit are regulated by IFRA. These include everyday fragrance ingredients that 1-3% of Europeans show allergic reactions to.

12 chemicals and 8 natural extracts are listed as being at high risk of causing sensitisation

Fragrance allergies affect 2 to 11 per cent of the general population, with up to 4.5 per cent of the adult population potentially allergic to fragrance materials. This translates to tens of millions of people globally. Women are disproportionately impacted by fragrance allergies, and the rates in children have been rising dramatically in the last few decades.

Almost 20 per cent of the general population is sensitised to at least one allergen, and fragrance is one of the most frequently identified substances causing allergic reactions. Fragrance allergy is well-recognised, and a European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety review of fragrances in 2011 listed 82 substances that had been established as contact allergens, including 54 synthetic chemicals and 28 natural extracts. Twelve of the chemicals and eight of the natural extracts were listed as being at high risk of causing sensitisation. Among the most common are the 15 fragrances that can be identified by patch testing with balsam of Peru, Fragrance Mix I (FM I), and Fragrance Mix II (FM II).

The 12 chemicals and eight natural extracts listed as being at high risk of causing sensitisation are not publicly available. However, a list of 26 fragrance allergens that must be declared on product labels was established in 1999 by the European Commission. These include everyday products such as body lotion, makeup, shower gel and shampoo. From the everyday population, 1-3 per cent of Europeans show allergic reactions to common fragrance ingredients.

It is important to note that anyone who uses or is exposed to fragranced products can become sensitised to them over time. In addition to the potential health consequences of certain fragrance ingredients linked to cancer, interference with hormones, and reproductive harm, a significant portion of the population suffers from fragrance-related allergies.

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