Avoiding Toxic Fragrance: Choosing Scents For Your Health

Many perfumes and cleaning products contain toxic chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, leading to health issues such as headaches, dizziness, hormone disruption, and an increased risk of cancer. These toxic chemicals are often hidden under the label of fragrance or parfum, and even natural fragrances can be just as harmful as synthetic ones. To avoid these toxic fragrances, consumers should be aware of the hidden chemicals in products and choose perfumes that clearly label their ingredients, avoiding harmful chemicals such as BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and styrene.

Avoid products with the words fragrance or parfum

The Environmental Working Group advises that consumers read the words "fragrance" or "parfum" and translate them to mean "hidden chemicals". This is because the presence of potentially toxic chemicals in many perfumes and other fragranced products can be harmful. These substances can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, leading to health issues such as headaches, dizziness, hormone disruption, and an increased risk of cancer.

It is important to note that so-called "natural fragrances" can be just as toxic as synthetic fragrances. Fragrance chemicals pose environmental risks as well. The chemical vapours found in fragrances, known as volatile organic compounds, have been linked to ozone pollution and the creation of fine particulates.

To avoid toxic fragrances, it is advisable to choose perfumes and other fragranced products that clearly label their ingredients and avoid harmful chemicals. For example, it is generally recommended to avoid products containing BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene), as it is a synthetic antioxidant linked to hormone disruption and other health risks. Natural preservatives are often recommended as safer alternatives.

Additionally, styrene is found in some perfumes and is classified as a possible human carcinogen. It is important to be cautious of products labelled as "unscented" or "fragrance-free", as manufacturers sometimes use masking fragrances to cover the chemical smell of their products. Cleaning products, hair products, deodorants, shampoos, and laundry detergents are some of the most notorious when it comes to toxic fragrances.

Check the ingredient list for masking fragrances

It's important to check the ingredient list for masking fragrances, as manufacturers sometimes use these to cover the chemical smell of their products. Cleaning products are some of the most notorious when it comes to toxic fragrances, but hair products are also a problem area, with more than 95% of shampoos, conditioners, and styling products containing fragrance.

The Environmental Working Group advises that consumers read the word "fragrance" or "parfum" and translate it to mean "hidden chemicals". So-called "natural fragrances" can be just as toxic as synthetic fragrances, and fragrance chemicals pose environmental risks as well as health risks. The chemical vapours found in fragrances, known as volatile organic compounds, have been linked to ozone pollution and the creation of fine particulates.

When checking the ingredient list, it is advisable to avoid products containing BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene), as it is a synthetic antioxidant linked to hormone disruption and other health risks. Natural preservatives are often recommended as safer alternatives. Styrene is found in some perfumes and is classified as a possible human carcinogen.

Avoid BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

It is generally advisable to avoid products containing BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene), a synthetic antioxidant linked to hormone disruption and other health risks. BHT is often found in perfumes and can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, leading to health issues such as headaches, dizziness, and an increased risk of cancer.

To avoid BHT and other toxic fragrance chemicals, the Environmental Working Group advises consumers to be wary of the words "fragrance" or "parfum" on ingredient lists, as these may indicate the presence of hidden chemicals. "Natural fragrances" can be just as toxic as synthetic fragrances, and fragrance chemicals are often linked to profound health risks.

Cleaning products, deodorants, shampoos, and laundry detergents are some of the most common sources of toxic fragrances. Fragrance chemicals in these products do not enhance their performance but rather give consumers the perception of cleanliness or freshness. For example, hair products are especially problematic, with more than 95% of shampoos, conditioners, and styling products containing fragrance.

To reduce your exposure to toxic fragrances, choose perfumes that clearly label their ingredients and avoid those with harmful chemicals. Natural preservatives are often recommended as safer alternatives. Additionally, look for products labelled "fragrance-free" or "unscented", although be aware that manufacturers sometimes use masking fragrances to cover the chemical smell of their products.

Avoid products with Styrene

Styrene is a man-made chemical commonly used in the manufacturing of plastic products, including latex. In the perfume industry, it is often used to improve the longevity of fragrances. However, recent studies have raised concerns about the potential health risks associated with styrene exposure.

Styrene has been linked to cancer, with an expert panel convened by the National Academy of Sciences confirming that it can cause cancer. The panel endorsed a 2011 finding by the National Toxicology Program, which concluded that styrene is "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen". Regulatory agencies have imposed restrictions on its usage in certain products due to these health concerns.

To avoid products with styrene, consumers should be cautious of products labelled with the generic term "fragrance" or "parfum". These terms often indicate the presence of hidden chemicals, including potentially toxic ones like styrene. It is advisable to choose perfumes that clearly label their ingredients and avoid those that do not disclose their individual components.

Additionally, natural preservatives are often recommended as safer alternatives to synthetic fragrances. By opting for products with natural ingredients, consumers can reduce their exposure to potentially harmful chemicals like styrene.

Choose natural preservatives

It is important to be aware of the toxic chemicals that are often present in fragrances. These substances can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, leading to health issues such as headaches, dizziness, hormone disruption and an increased risk of cancer.

Natural preservatives are often recommended as a safer alternative to synthetic fragrances. Natural preservatives are less likely to contain harmful chemicals and can help to reduce your exposure to toxic substances.

When choosing natural preservatives, look for products that clearly label their ingredients and avoid those that contain known harmful chemicals such as BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and styrene. BHT is a synthetic antioxidant that has been linked to hormone disruption and other health risks. Styrene is classified as a possible human carcinogen, meaning it could increase your risk of cancer.

In addition to choosing products with natural preservatives, you can also reduce your exposure to toxic fragrances by avoiding products that are heavily fragranced. So-called "natural fragrances" can be just as toxic as synthetic fragrances, and fragrance chemicals pose environmental risks as well. Fragrance chemicals are often added to cleaning products, deodorants, shampoos, and laundry detergents to give the perception of cleanliness, but they do not actually improve the performance of the product.

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