Lance Carson
Many products we use every day contain fragrances, from perfumes and body wash to cleaning supplies and paints. While these scents can make our personal care products and homes smell delightful, they can also contain harmful chemicals. The term fragrance on a product's ingredient list can represent a blend of up to 4,000 undisclosed ingredients, some of which may be toxic. These undisclosed ingredients are allowed due to a loophole in the FDA's regulation of personal care products, where fragrances are considered trade secrets. As a result, consumers are often left in the dark about the specific chemicals they are exposed to, and the potential health risks they carry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of ingredients | Up to 4,000 undisclosed ingredients |
| Toxicity | Contains harmful toxins such as phthalates, acetaldehyde, benzophenone/oxybenzone, parabens, and synthetic musks |
| Health risks | Allergic reactions, endocrine disruption, asthma, cancer, reproductive issues, developmental toxicity, birth defects, respiratory problems, neurotoxicity, and more |
| Regulation | Self-regulated industry, not subject to FDA safety testing or approval |
| Labeling | "Fragrance" can be used to describe any ingredient that imparts a smell, including in unscented products that mask other chemical smells |
| Alternatives | Essential oils, herbs, and natural fragrances |
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What You'll Learn
Undisclosed ingredients
In the United States, there is no legal requirement for manufacturers to disclose all ingredients in consumer products or fragrances. The Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1973 explicitly exempts fragrance ingredients from being listed on product labels, allowing them to be protected as confidential information or "trade secrets". This lack of transparency makes it challenging for consumers to make informed decisions about their health and safety, especially for those with allergies or sensitivities.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has reported that popular perfumes, colognes, and body sprays often contain a dozen or more potentially hazardous synthetic chemicals, some of which are derived from petroleum. These chemicals have been associated with hormone disruption, allergic reactions, and potential effects on the reproductive system. The International Fragrance Association (IFRA), the worldwide agency that maintains safety standards for fragrance chemicals, has been criticized for its lack of transparency and potential conflict of interest due to funding from major fragrance manufacturers.
While the cosmetics industry is responsible for ensuring the safety of its products, the self-appointed governing body that tests fragrance chemicals for safety is funded by some of the largest fragrance companies, raising questions about the independence and reliability of their assessments. This lack of transparency and potential conflict of interest in the fragrance industry has led some organizations, like Better Goods, to advise against using products with undisclosed fragrance ingredients.
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Phthalates
In the fragrance industry, phthalates are used to make scents last longer. They are often found in fragrance oils and can be listed on ingredient labels simply as "fragrance" or hidden under the term "parfum". This lack of transparency makes it difficult for consumers to identify products containing phthalates. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) estimates that about 75% of perfumery products that list "fragrance" on their labels contain phthalates.
Due to these potential health risks, some companies are moving towards creating phthalate-free products. It is recommended that consumers read ingredient labels carefully and choose products that explicitly state they are fragrance-free and phthalate-free. Natural perfumes that use botanical extracts and other natural ingredients are a good alternative to traditional perfumes that may contain phthalates.
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Allergens
A fragrance or perfume allergy occurs when an individual experiences an allergic reaction after exposure to a perfume that contains an allergen. The symptoms are redness, swelling, and vesicles that are commonly described as a 'skin rash' and may occur upon re-exposure to the fragrance allergen. Skin allergies to fragrance ingredients frequently involve the skin of the face, hands, neck, or armpits.
According to a 2009 survey on fragrance sensitivity, about 30% of the population of the United States experienced irritation from a perfume. As many as 19% of participants in the survey had actual health effects from fragrances. Fragrance sensitivity is much more common than a true allergy and is a reaction to something that irritates the body. With sensitivity, symptoms include a rash that goes away after a few hours, a mild headache, or sneezing a few times. On the other hand, allergens are technically proteins that the body reacts to with an inflammatory response that causes allergy symptoms.
More than 2,500 fragrance ingredients are used in perfumes and perfumed consumer goods such as cosmetics, detergents, fabric softeners, and other household products. To give them a specific, usually pleasant smell. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety identified a total of 54 individual fragrance substances and 28 natural extracts (essential oils) as 'established contact allergens in humans'. The committee also considered 18 individual chemicals and 1 natural extract as 'established contact allergens in animals', 26 individual chemicals categorised as 'likely contact allergens', and 35 individual chemicals plus 13 natural extracts categorised as 'possible contact allergens'.
It can be difficult to avoid fragrance allergens because many products contain substances that can trigger an allergy. Manufacturers are not mandated to list all the chemicals they use to make their perfumes on the product packaging, which can make it difficult to identify the culprit for a reaction. Even if a specific fragrance chemical is identified as causing an allergy, it can be difficult to avoid every product that contains it. Manufacturers may not list any or all of their ingredients, and ingredients must only be listed in a regulated product if they surpass a specified threshold concentration.
Treatment for allergic skin reactions includes antihistamines and topical steroid creams. To identify the cause of a reaction, patch testing can be done to see whether a substance is causing allergic skin inflammation (allergic contact dermatitis). During the test, allergens are attached to patches that are placed on the skin of the arm or back, and the skin is exposed to extracts of substances that can cause contact dermatitis.
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Carcinogens
Fragrances are used in a wide range of products, from personal care items to cleaning products. The word 'fragrance' on a product label can represent dozens or even hundreds of different chemicals. Many of these chemicals are linked to adverse health effects, including cancer.
An expert panel convened by the National Academy of Sciences confirmed that styrene, a chemical used as a building block for a wide variety of products, is a human carcinogen. Styrene is often used in fragrances and can be found in various sprays and liquids in the cosmetic and cleaning aisles of supermarkets. It is also present in automobile exhaust and cigarette smoke.
Other chemicals found in fragrances that are linked to cancer include acetaldehyde, benzophenone, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), benzyl salicylate, chloromethane (methyl chloride), diethyl phthalate (DEP), formaldehyde, methanol, and oxybenzone. Some of these chemicals are known to cause respiratory issues, endocrine disruption, and reproductive issues.
In addition, some fragrance chemicals are considered potential carcinogens. For example, 1,4-dioxane, which is used in industrial processes to manufacture cosmetics, household cleaners, and industrial solvents, is regarded as a possible human carcinogen. Synthetic musks, which are highly bioaccumulative and can be found in body fat, breast milk, and the blood cord of infants, are also considered potential carcinogens.
It is important to note that the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) and other organisations are actively working to assess the safety of fragrance ingredients and restrict or prohibit the use of hazardous ones. However, due to the lack of federal or state mandates for fragrance ingredient disclosure, it can be challenging for consumers to identify all the fragrance chemicals in a product.
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Regulation
The regulation of fragrances varies depending on the type of product and its intended use. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies fragrances according to their intended use. Fragrance products can be categorized as drugs, cosmetics, or both. For example, if a product is intended to treat or prevent headaches or muscle pain, it is classified as a drug. On the other hand, if a product is intended to be applied to a person's body to make them more attractive, it is categorized as a cosmetic. This includes perfumes, colognes, and aftershaves.
The FDA does not require pre-market approval for cosmetic fragrance ingredients. However, companies and individuals who manufacture or market cosmetics are legally responsible for ensuring their products' safety and proper labelling. Cosmetic fragrance ingredients must meet the same safety requirements as other cosmetic ingredients and are safe for consumers when used according to labelled directions or customary use. If a cosmetic is marketed to consumers, it must list its ingredients, with most ingredients listed individually. However, under US regulations, fragrance and flavour ingredients can be listed simply as "fragrance" or "flavour."
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) and the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) develop and set voluntary standards for chemicals in fragrance components. The IFRA Standards ban, limit, or set criteria for certain ingredients based on scientific evidence and consumer insights. These standards are recognized by government authorities and trade bodies worldwide and are compulsory for all IFRA members, who produce around 80% of the global fragrance volume. However, it is important to note that the fragrance industry is largely self-regulating, and full information on fragrance ingredients is often kept secret from consumers.
In the European Union, certain fragrance allergens, such as benzyl salicylate, must be labelled on the product. Additionally, the use of butoxyethanol, a dangerous substance classified as a cancer-causing agent, has been restricted in consumer products.
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Frequently asked questions
The term "fragrance" on a product label refers to a blend of ingredients that give the product a pleasant scent.
Fragrances have been linked to a range of health issues, including allergic reactions, asthma, endocrine disruption, cancer, and reproductive problems.
No, natural fragrances can be just as toxic as synthetic fragrances. The term "natural" does not have a standard definition, and these fragrances are not regulated by the FDA.
Read product labels carefully and choose fragrance-free and chemical-free products. Look for brands that prioritize safety and transparency, such as Certified B Corporations.
