Anisha Riggs
Fragrances are added to skincare products to make them more appealing to consumers. However, fragrances can cause skin irritation and other allergic reactions. To avoid fragrances in skincare, it is important to read the product labels carefully as they may be listed under different names such as perfume, parfum, or simply fragrance. Some products may not list fragrance in the ingredients but may use ingredients that impart a fragrance, such as plant oils or extracts. It is also worth noting that fragrance-free is different from unscented, as unscented products may still contain fragrances to enhance their aroma. To ensure a product is truly fragrance-free, it is recommended to look for products that list all their ingredients, including those used for fragrance, or opt for brands that use essential oils instead of fragrances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fragrance-free products | Avoid products with labels such as "unscented", "natural", "organic" or "hypoallergenic" as these may still contain fragrances or cause reactions in sensitive consumers. |
| Identifying fragrances | Check the ingredients list for terms such as "perfume", "parfum" or "fragrance". |
| Common fragrances | Research common fragrance ingredients and compare them with the ingredients listed on your skincare products. |
| Number of ingredients | If there are too many ingredients listed, it may be best to avoid the product. |
| "Sniff test" | Smell the product to detect any fragrances. |
| International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) | Beauty companies must use INCI when listing ingredients, however, "fragrance" is not specified and may be a blend of many ingredients. |
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What You'll Learn
The damaging effects of fragrance on the skin
Fragrances are widely used in beauty and skincare products to make them smell good and evoke positive emotions or feelings. However, fragrances can have damaging effects on the skin, especially for those with sensitive skin or inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or contact dermatitis.
According to Dr. Martin A. Smith, a double-board certified allergist and immunologist, fragrance is the primary culprit responsible for the rise in skin allergies and sensitive skin. He explains that fragrances commonly cause allergic reactions on the skin because they undergo a chemical change upon contact with the skin. These reactions can manifest as redness, tingling, burning, itching, and in more severe cases, extremely itchy, raised, and weeping skin. Fragrances are also associated with non-eczematous contact reactions, irritation, and photosensitivity, which is a rash that occurs after sun exposure. In addition, fragrances can lead to a compromised skin barrier, making the skin more vulnerable to external irritants and increasing the risk of infection.
Studies have shown that women are more likely to be exposed to scented products and, consequently, may be more prone to fragrance allergens than men. This increased exposure to scented products among women may be due to the prevalence of fragranced beauty and skincare products marketed towards them.
To avoid the damaging effects of fragrances on the skin, it is essential to be vigilant when purchasing skincare products. Fragrances can be listed under different names on product labels, such as "perfume," "parfum," or simply "fragrance." Some products may not explicitly list "fragrance" in the ingredients but may use ingredients that impart a fragrance, such as plant oils or extracts, while still being labeled as fragrance-free. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully read the ingredient lists and be aware of the various terms used for fragrances. Additionally, performing a "sniff test" by opening the cap and smelling the contents can help detect the presence of fragrances, regardless of the label claims.
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How to spot perfume ingredients in skincare
Fragrances are commonly added to skincare products to make them more appealing to consumers or to mask offensive odors that may naturally occur in the product. However, some people experience adverse reactions to these ingredients, such as skin irritation, headaches, and migraines. If you suspect that you may be sensitive to fragrances, it is important to know how to spot perfume ingredients in skincare products. Here are some tips to help you identify these ingredients and choose fragrance-free options:
Firstly, it is important to note that fragrance-free is not the same as "unscented". While "fragrance-free" means that no fragrances have been added to the product, "unscented" products may still contain fragrances to mask unpleasant smells. Similarly, products labeled as "natural", "organic", or "hypoallergenic" may also contain fragrances that can cause reactions in sensitive individuals. Therefore, it is important to read the ingredient list carefully.
When examining the ingredient list, look out for terms such as "perfume", "parfum", and "fragrance", which are commonly used to indicate the presence of fragrances. Some products may also state that they are "made with fragrances" or "contain fragrances" directly on the packaging. In addition, be aware that plant oils or extracts can impart a pleasant odor, so a product labeled as fragrance-free may still contain these ingredients and cause reactions.
To further assist you in identifying fragrance ingredients, you can refer to compiled lists of fragrances, such as those provided by Pharmaceutical Specialties, Inc. These lists can help you compare your skincare products and determine which ones may contain fragrances. Additionally, if you are unsure about a particular ingredient, you can contact the company directly and inquire about their use of plant extracts and their scientific names.
Finally, if you are unable to examine the ingredient list or the product has a safety seal, you can often open the cap and perform a "sniff test" to detect any fragrant aromas. This can be a quick way to identify the presence of fragrances, regardless of the label claims.
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Why fragrance is added to skincare
Fragrances are added to skincare products to make them more appealing to consumers. While some people are sensitive to scents or have fragrance allergies, many consumers prefer products with a pleasant smell. Fragrances are also used to create a sense of luxury or brand unity and to cover up offensive odors that may naturally occur in a product.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), fragrance is the biggest cause of cosmetic contact dermatitis, a common skin condition characterized by red, itchy rashes. Fragrances, whether natural or synthetic, are known to be one of the most sensitizing ingredients in skincare products. They can cause skin irritation, sensitivity, and other allergic reactions like headaches, migraines, or even asthma.
Despite the potential harm caused by fragrances, it can be challenging to formulate products without them that still appeal to consumers. Additionally, it can be difficult for consumers to identify truly fragrance-free products. Some products may not list "fragrance" in the ingredients but may use ingredients that impart a fragrance, such as plant oils or extracts. Terms like perfume, parfum, and fragrance are commonly used to indicate the presence of fragrances in skincare products.
To protect themselves from potential skin irritation, consumers can look for products that plainly state the ingredients that are providing the scent. These ingredients should be listed in parentheses after the term "fragrance" on the label. Alternatively, some brands choose to list every single ingredient on the label, regardless of its purpose, allowing consumers to make informed choices.
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Fragrance-free skincare: is it better?
Fragrances are commonly added to skincare products to mask offensive odours or to make the product smell pleasant. However, for some people, these fragrances can cause skin irritation, with 30% of the US population reporting irritation from fragranced products.
For those with sensitive skin, a fragrance-free skincare routine is ideal. Fragrances can cause rashes, hives, and other allergic reactions, and are the most common cause of contact dermatitis in cosmetics. Synthetic fragrances, in particular, can cause problems for those with sensitive or reactive skin, as they often contain irritants.
It can be difficult to identify which products are truly fragrance-free, as some ingredients, such as plant oils or extracts, can impart a fragrance but are not always labelled as such. "Unscented" products may still contain fragrances or chemicals to mask odours or enhance aromas. To be sure, it is best to research common fragrance ingredients and carefully read the ingredients list.
Opting for fragrance-free skincare is not only beneficial for those with allergies or sensitivities but can also be kinder to the environment. Fragrances can contain allergens that can be inadvertently brought into the lives of those around us, and it has been found that ingredients from skincare products can even end up in breastmilk.
While the answer to whether fragrance-free skincare is better varies from person to person, it is clear that understanding what type of fragrance ingredients work for you is important when building your skincare routine.
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Fragrance-free skincare: how to find it
Fragrance-free skincare is ideal for those who experience migraines or have sensitive skin. It is also better for those who find fragrance, whether natural or synthetic, offensive. However, finding skincare products that are truly fragrance-free can be challenging. Many products will state that they contain fragrances directly on the packaging, but these can go by different names. Some common terms to look out for are "perfume", "parfum", and "fragrance".
In addition to these terms, some products may not list "fragrance" in the ingredients but may use ingredients that naturally impart a fragrance, such as plant oils or extracts. These products may still be labeled as fragrance-free. A product labeled as "unscented", "natural", "organic", or "hypoallergenic" may still contain fragrances or chemicals that can enhance an aroma, so be sure to read the ingredients list carefully. If there are many lines of ingredients, it is best to assume that the product is not fragrance-free.
To help sensitive consumers avoid problematic ingredients, some websites have compiled lists of fragrances commonly found in personal care products. You can compare your skincare products to these lists to determine if they contain any fragrances. SkinSAFE, for example, is an ingredient-based recommendation engine for beauty and skincare products that are free of fragrances and the most common allergy-causing botanicals, such as balsam of Peru, cinnamic aldehyde, and propolis (bee glue).
Before purchasing a skincare product, you can also try the "sniff test" by opening the cap and smelling the contents. This can help you detect any fragrances, regardless of the label claims.
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Frequently asked questions
Many products will state that they contain fragrances directly on the packaging, but these can go by different names, such as "perfume", "parfum", and simply "fragrance". If a product is labelled as "unscented", "natural", "organic" or "hypoallergenic", it may still contain fragrances or cause reactions in sensitive consumers. The best way to find out is to use your sense of smell; if a product has a fragrant aroma, it contains fragrance.
Fragrance is added to skincare products to make them more appealing to consumers. Brands want their products to sell, and consumers are less likely to want to use a product that smells like gross chemicals. Fragrance is also added to cover up offensive odours that may naturally occur in a product.
Fragrance is known to be one of the most sensitising ingredients. If you experience migraines, it is best to avoid fragrance in skincare. Fragrance can cause contact dermatitis, a seriously red and itchy rash, or other allergic reactions like a headache, asthma, or hives.
