Anisha Riggs
Fragrance is often added to skin creams and other personal care products to make them more appealing to consumers by imparting a pleasant smell or covering up offensive odours. However, for those with sensitive skin or allergies, fragrance can be a problem and cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. The term fragrance on an ingredient list can encompass a wide range of natural or synthetic substances, and it is not always clear what specific ingredients are included. This can make it challenging for consumers to identify truly fragrance-free products and avoid potential allergens or irritants. Understanding the different types of fragrances and their potential impact on the skin is crucial for building a suitable skincare routine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To impart a pleasant smell or cover up offensive odours |
| Types | Synthetic, Natural, Essential Oils, Artificial Fragrance |
| Allergies | May cause skin irritation, redness, itchiness, dermatitis, headaches, and migraines |
| Fragrance-Free Products | May still contain ingredients that impart fragrance, such as plant oils or extracts |
| Unpleasant Smells | Fragrance may be added to cover up foul-smelling ingredients |
| Expiration Dates | Synthetic fragrances last longer than natural fragrances |
| Consumer Appeal | Products without fragrance may be less appealing to consumers |
| Labeling | "Fragrance" is the only ingredient that doesn't have to be explicitly listed on beauty product labels |
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What You'll Learn
Why are fragrances added to skin creams?
Fragrances are added to skin creams to make the product more appealing to consumers. The scent of a product is an important factor in a consumer's decision to purchase it. A pleasant fragrance can make the experience of using a skin cream more enjoyable and can be a key part of a self-care ritual. For example, many people like skincare products with scents like coconut or rose that remind them of an island getaway.
There are two main categories of fragrance: synthetic and natural. Synthetic fragrances are developed in a lab and tend to be longer-lasting and cheaper than natural fragrances. Natural fragrances, on the other hand, are made from plant and flower extracts or essential oils. However, they may only last one to two years, while synthetic fragrances can last up to five years.
Some people may prefer fragrance-free skincare, especially if they have allergies, sensitivities, or inflammatory skin conditions. Fragrances can cause negative reactions in some people, such as itchiness, irritation, redness, or even headaches and migraines. It can be challenging to find truly fragrance-free products, as some products may not list "fragrance" in the ingredients but may contain ingredients that impart a fragrance, such as plant oils or extracts.
It is worth noting that fragrance is the only ingredient on a beauty product label that is not required to disclose its specific components. This lack of transparency can make it difficult for consumers with sensitivities or allergies to make informed choices. Therefore, it is important for consumers to be aware of their skin's tolerance to different fragrances and to choose products that work best for their skin.
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Types of fragrances
Fragrances are volatile compounds that can easily convert from a liquid to a vapour state at room temperature. These vapour molecules are what we perceive as smells. There are two main types of fragrances: synthetic and natural. Synthetic fragrances are developed in a laboratory and can be fully or semi-synthetic. Synthetic fragrances are often preferred by brands because they last longer than natural fragrances. Natural fragrances, on the other hand, refer to plant essential oils, which are aromatic compounds produced by many plants.
Essential oils are complex mixtures of terpenes and other aromatic or aliphatic compounds. They are produced as secondary metabolites in the specialized secretory tissues of aromatic plants. Plants produce essential oils for various biological purposes, such as cooling off through oil evaporation, attracting pollinators, or protecting themselves from insects and animals.
There are several types of essential oils used in skin creams, each with its own unique scent profile and potential benefits to the skin. Some popular essential oils used in skin care include:
- Floral fragrances like rose oil or rosewater, which are popular for their delicate floral scent.
- Manuka honey, derived from flowers in New Zealand, has antibacterial, skin-hydrating, and anti-inflammatory properties, giving skin a youthful appearance.
- Bergamot, juniper, cinnamon, and gardenia essential oils are considered top notes, providing light scents that typically last 5-30 minutes.
- Middle notes like ylang-ylang, geranium, lavender, jasmine, and clove offer spicy or floral scents that give body to blends and can last up to an hour.
- Base notes, such as myrrh, vanilla, sandalwood, and frankincense, provide depth to a fragrance and are the longest-lasting, remaining for several hours.
It is important to note that while natural fragrances are often perceived as safer, they can still cause allergic reactions or skin irritation. Essential oils, in particular, can be highly concentrated and should be used with caution. Some essential oils, such as citrus peel oils and angelica root, can cause photosensitivity when applied to the skin and then exposed to sunlight or ultraviolet light.
When choosing a fragranced skin cream, it is advisable to read the labels carefully and be aware of potential allergens or irritants. A patch test can also be performed to determine any sensitivity or allergic reactions to a particular fragrance.
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Fragrance-free skincare
Fragrances are added to many personal care products to give them a pleasant smell or to mask unpleasant odours that may occur naturally. There are two types of fragrance: synthetic and natural. Synthetic fragrances are developed in a lab and can be fully or semi-synthetic, while natural fragrances are derived from ingredients like plant oils or extracts.
Some people prefer fragrance-free skincare products due to allergies or sensitivities. Fragrance-free skincare is also better for those who find fragrances, whether natural or synthetic, offensive or irritating. For those with sensitive skin, understanding what type of fragrance ingredients work for them is important when building a skincare routine.
It can be challenging to identify truly fragrance-free products, as some products may not list "fragrance" in the ingredients but may contain ingredients that impart a fragrance, such as plant oils or extracts. Labels like "'unscented", "natural", "organic", or "hypoallergenic" may still cause reactions in sensitive individuals. To identify fragrance-free products, it is important to read the ingredient list and look for products labelled as "fragrance-free".
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Allergies and sensitivities
The most common symptoms of allergies or sensitivities to fragrances in skin creams are skin problems, such as allergic contact dermatitis, itchy skin, and rashes. Other symptoms can include hives, flaking or peeling skin, facial swelling, irritation of the eyes, nose and mouth, wheezing, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis. Fragrances can also affect the respiratory system and eyes, with an estimated 2-4% of adults experiencing respiratory or eye symptoms from exposure to fragrances. In addition, fragrances can exacerbate pre-existing asthma, allergic rhinitis, and viral respiratory infections.
The prevalence of allergies and sensitivities to fragrances varies across different populations. For example, in a European study, the prevalence of contact allergy to Fragrance Mix I (FM I) was 7.8% in the clinical population and 1.9% in the general population. The study also found that sensitive skin was associated with exposure to scented products and fragrance allergy, with female participants more strongly associated with exposure to scented products than male participants.
It is important to note that the term "fragrance-free" is not well-defined and may not always be accurate. Some products may be labelled as "unscented", "natural", "organic", or "hypoallergenic", but still contain ingredients that impart a fragrance or cause reactions in sensitive individuals. Therefore, it is important for consumers with allergies or sensitivities to carefully read the ingredient list and avoid any ingredients that they know or think they may be allergic to. In some cases, it may be necessary to contact the manufacturer to obtain more information about the substances in a product.
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Labelling and regulations
In the United States, the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) defines cosmetics as:
> [A]rticles intended to be applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance without affecting the body's structure or functions.
This includes skin creams, lotions, perfumes, lipsticks, and fingernail polishes. The FD&C Act prohibits the distribution of cosmetics that are adulterated or misbranded. A cosmetic is considered adulterated if it contains a substance that may make the product harmful to consumers under customary conditions of use, or if it contains a filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance.
Cosmetics distributed in the US must comply with the labelling regulations published by the FDA under the authority of the FD&C Act and the Fair Packaging and Labelling Act (FP&L Act). The labelling requirements are codified at 21 CFR 701 and 740. Labels must include the name of the product, a list of ingredients, and a statement of the net quantity of contents. Under US regulations, fragrance and flavour ingredients can be listed simply as "Fragrance" or "Flavour", as they are considered trade secrets. However, the label statements required under the FD&C Act must appear on the inside and outside of the container or wrapper.
The Tariff Act of 1930 requires that all imported articles state the English name of the country of origin on the label. Cosmetics produced or distributed for retail sale to consumers for their personal care are required to bear an ingredient declaration. The ingredient declaration must be conspicuous and likely to be read at the time of purchase. It may appear on any information panel of the package, such as the folding carton or box wrapping.
In the case of aerosol products, if the propellant consists in whole or in part of a halocarbon or hydrocarbon, the label must bear a second warning. This requirement is waived for aerosol foam or cream products containing less than 10% propellant, products that do not expel the propellant at the time of use, metered spray products of less than 2 oz, and aerosol products of less than 1/2 oz.
Other label requirements include cautionary statements, such as "For external use only" or "Keep out of reach of children". A foaming detergent bath product, for instance, must include the caution "Use only as directed. Excessive use or prolonged exposure may cause irritation to skin and urinary tract. Discontinue use if rash, redness or itching occurs. Consult your physician if irritation persists."
In the European Union, the European Commission published the European Cosmetics Regulation (2009/1223/EC) in 2009, which identified 26 fragrance allergens. This list was updated in July 2023, and now includes 82 fragrance allergens, including 28 natural extracts and 54 individual chemicals.
In the United States, the FDA has until June 29, 2024, to propose fragrance allergens for the mandatory allergen labelling rule. It is likely that the list of allergens will resemble those already required in the EU.
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Frequently asked questions
Fragrance is added to skin creams and other beauty products to impart a pleasant smell or to cover up offensive odors that may naturally occur in the product.
There are two overarching categories of fragrance: synthetic and natural. Synthetic fragrances are developed in a lab and tend to last longer than natural fragrances. Natural fragrances are typically made from plant and flower extracts or essential oils.
Companies use fragrance in skin cream to make the product more appealing to consumers and to cover up unpleasant odors from other ingredients. Fragrance can also be used to create a sense of luxury or brand unity.
