Katrina Rosales
Perfume is a popular accessory, but it's important to be mindful of how you wear it. While it's a personal choice, there are some common mistakes to avoid. For example, did you know that rubbing your wrists together after applying perfume can alter the scent? Or that storing perfume in a steamy bathroom can affect its freshness? It's also important to consider the impact of your perfume on others, especially in small spaces or for those with allergies, asthma, or other health conditions. With a few simple tweaks, you can make the most of your favourite fragrance and avoid any fragrance faux pas.
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What You'll Learn
Avoid toxic chemicals often found in perfumes
The use of toxic chemicals in perfumes is a serious concern. Fragrance suppliers have long enjoyed federal trade secret protections that allow them to hide the ingredients that make their products smell good. This means that dozens, or even hundreds, of chemicals can be hidden under the single word "fragrance" on product labels.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that the average fragrance product tested contained 14 secret chemicals not listed on the label. These undisclosed ingredients included chemicals with "troubling hazardous properties" and a "propensity to accumulate in human tissues". Examples include diethyl phthalate, a chemical found in 97% of Americans, which has been linked to sperm damage in human epidemiological studies, and musk ketone, which concentrates in human fat tissue and breast milk.
Other toxic chemicals found in perfumes include benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, and limonene. Benzaldehyde, found in perfumes, colognes, hairsprays, and detergents, is a narcotic and a sensitizer that can cause irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, lungs, and GI tract, as well as nausea and abdominal pain. Benzyl acetate, found in perfumes, colognes, shampoos, and fabric softeners, is carcinogenic and can irritate the eyes and respiratory passages. It has also been linked to hyperaemia of the lungs in mice and can be absorbed through the skin, causing systemic effects. Benzyl alcohol, found in perfumes, colognes, soaps, and shampoos, is irritating to the upper respiratory tract. Ethyl acetate, found in aftershaves, colognes, perfumes, and shampoos, is also a narcotic and can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract. It may also cause headaches and narcosis (stupor), as well as a defatting effect on the skin, leading to drying and cracking. Limonene, found in perfumes, colognes, disinfectants, soaps, and shaving creams, is also carcinogenic and an irritant and sensitizer. It should not come into contact with the skin or eyes and one should not inhale its vapors.
The use of toxic chemicals in perfumes can have serious health consequences. A 2018 report by Breast Cancer Prevention Partners found that fragrance chemicals made up the vast majority of the chemicals linked to harmful chronic health effects in beauty and personal care products. Fragranced products have been linked to cancer, birth defects, hormone disruption, and other adverse health effects. Fragrance allergies affect 2-11% of the general population, and exposure to fragrances can cause severe and irreversible allergies to develop. Fragrances can also be dangerous for people with respiratory problems and can trigger migraines and allergic reactions. Studies have also shown that exposure to chemicals in perfumes during pregnancy and through breast milk can cause neurological disorders in the fetus.
To avoid toxic chemicals in perfumes, it is recommended to use products with minimal ingredients and to choose fragrance-free options. Deciem's The Ordinary and DedCool are examples of brands that create non-toxic and effective skincare products.
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Don't spray directly on skin
While applying perfume directly on the skin may seem like the obvious choice, there are several reasons why you might want to avoid doing so.
Firstly, some people are sensitive to fragrances, and even a small amount can cause negative reactions. For instance, inhaling perfume can trigger respiratory problems, migraines, allergies, and asthma. Additionally, certain ingredients in perfumes, such as benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, and ethyl acetate, can be harmful to the skin, eyes, mouth, throat, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract.
Secondly, the way you apply perfume can affect its scent. Award-winning perfumer Francis Kurkdjian advises against spraying perfume on the wrists and then rubbing them together before applying it to the neck. This common application method creates friction, which heats up the skin and produces natural enzymes that alter the course of the scent. Instead, lightly spritz both wrists and let the liquid sink in without rubbing them together.
Thirdly, the longevity of a perfume can be influenced by where it is applied. While perfumes applied to the skin tend to last longer due to the heat and moisture slowing down evaporation, spraying perfume on the clothes can make the scent last longer in certain climates. In intensely hot climates, applying perfume directly to the skin can cause the natural oils of the skin to destroy the perfume faster as you sweat. Therefore, it is recommended to lightly mist your hair, scarf, or sarong instead, as these surfaces move with the air and help with scent diffusion.
Lastly, it is important to be mindful of others when applying perfume. Applying too much perfume can be overpowering and off-putting to those around you. To avoid this, it is recommended to hold the perfume bottle about 10 inches (25.4 cm) away from your body and use only one squirt when applying.
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Be mindful of those with allergies and asthma
When wearing perfume, it is important to be mindful of those with allergies and asthma. Perfume allergies and sensitivities are common and can be disruptive, especially if you have to live or work with people who wear perfume daily. If you know that someone around you has allergies or asthma, there are a few things you can do to be considerate of their condition.
Firstly, try to avoid wearing strong perfumes or colognes around them. While some people with allergies or asthma may be sensitive to any amount of fragrance, others may be able to tolerate mild fragrances in lotions or hand creams. Ask the person with allergies or asthma about their specific triggers and adjust your perfume usage accordingly. For example, if you know a particular scent bothers them, avoid wearing it around them.
Additionally, be mindful of the products you use that may contain hidden fragrances. Many everyday items like shampoo, conditioner, lotion, deodorant, and soap can contain fragrances that could trigger someone's allergies or asthma. Opt for fragrance-free or unscented products whenever possible, and check ingredient labels to identify any potential triggers. Remember that even products marketed as ""natural fragrance" may still contain chemicals that can cause a reaction.
If you are in a position of authority, such as an employer, take steps to create a fragrance-free environment. This may include requiring fragrance-free products in the office and asking all employees to refrain from wearing perfume. Relocating employees with allergies or asthma to a different part of the office can also help reduce their exposure to fragrances.
By being considerate of those with allergies and asthma, you can help create a more comfortable and inclusive environment for everyone.
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Don't rub wrists together after applying
When it comes to applying perfume, it is often recommended that you avoid rubbing your wrists together. This is because the friction generated by the rubbing action can alter the scent of the perfume.
Perfumes are composed of various notes, including top notes, middle or heart notes, and base notes. Top notes are more delicate and lighter, dissipating the quickest, while base notes are heavier molecules that last longer. When you rub your wrists together after applying perfume, you can disrupt these notes, particularly the lighter top notes, causing them to evaporate faster. This can change the way the scent performs and develops on your skin over time.
Award-winning perfumer Francis Kurkdjian describes this habit of misting perfume on the wrists and then rubbing them together as "very bad." He explains that the friction from rubbing warms up the skin, producing natural enzymes that alter the course of the scent. This affects the middle and top notes, as well as the dry-down or the last and longest period of the fragrance's unfolding. For example, with a floral scent, the warmth can cause it to lose its crispness.
Instead of rubbing your wrists together, it is recommended to spritz both wrists lightly, let the perfume sink into the skin, and then refrain from any further action. This will help preserve the integrity of the fragrance and ensure it lasts longer. Additionally, it is suggested to apply perfume to areas exposed to the air, such as the pulse points of the neck, wrists, or inner elbows, especially when wearing sleeveless clothing.
While some people may not notice a significant difference in the smell of the perfume after rubbing their wrists together, it is generally advised to avoid this practice to maintain the intended scent experience.
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Store perfume away from the shower
Storing perfume in a steamy bathroom can be detrimental to the scent. The humidity from the shower can cause the more delicate ingredients in the perfume to oxidize, altering the scent, colour, or both. Even if the perfume is not kept on the bathroom counter, the steam from the shower can still affect the quality of the scent.
Anne Serrano-McClain, an expert in natural perfumery and aromatherapy, advises against keeping perfume in the bathroom. She recommends storing perfume in a dry, dark area, such as a closet or cabinet. While some people store their perfume in the fridge for longevity, Serrano-McClain acknowledges that this may not be a realistic option for everyone.
If you must keep your perfume in the bathroom, it is best to store it inside a closed cabinet away from the shower area. Try to use these fragrances relatively quickly, as the constant cycle of humidity and temperature fluctuation will harm the perfume over time.
To preserve the integrity of your perfume, it is best to store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and maintain a consistent temperature.
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Frequently asked questions
Avoid spraying perfume directly onto your skin. Instead, spray a single burst of perfume into the air in front of you and walk through the mist it creates.
Avoid applying perfume directly to your body if you're in a hot climate. The natural oils of the skin can destroy your perfume faster as you sweat. Avoid applying perfume in intentionally neutral-smelling spaces, such as hospitals and medical offices.
Be mindful of others when wearing perfume. Many people are sensitive to fragrances, and strong scents can be dangerous for those with allergies, asthma, or respiratory problems. Avoid layering incompatible fragrances, such as a woody, musky fragrance with a fruity, floral scent.
