Fragrance is a term used to describe a combination of chemicals that give personal care, cleaning, and other products their unique smell. Fragrance ingredients may be derived from petroleum or natural raw materials. Companies that manufacture perfume or cologne purchase fragrance mixtures from fragrance houses to develop their own proprietary blends. Typically, fragrance is made up of a mix of any of more than 3,500 chemicals. However, companies are not required to disclose the individual fragrance elements as the fragrance “blend” is considered proprietary information.
Here are some key points to consider regarding fragrance in products:
Positive:
- Fragrance can make products smell pleasant and appealing.
Negative:
- Some fragrance chemicals are linked to serious health problems such as cancer, reproductive and developmental toxicity, allergies, and sensitivities.
- Fragrance ingredients are not required to be listed on product labels, making it difficult for consumers to know what they are being exposed to.
- The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) is the self-regulating global representative body of the fragrance industry, meaning they set their own safety standards and regulations.
Ingredients or materials:
- Fragrance is made up of a mix of any of more than 3,500 chemicals.
- Fragrance ingredients may be derived from petroleum or natural raw materials.
- Companies that manufacture perfume or cologne purchase fragrance mixtures from fragrance houses to develop their own proprietary blends.
If you are concerned about the ingredients hiding in your products, there are many beauty brands to choose from that do not use fragrance and disclose every aspect of their product’s ingredients.
