Fragrance is a term used to describe a combination of chemicals that give a product its distinct scent. Fragrance ingredients may be derived from petroleum or natural raw materials. Fragrances are used in many products, including cosmetics, toiletries, household, laundry, air fresheners, candles, and incense products. Fragrances can be 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.
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. While the IFRA has a comprehensive list of over 3000 ingredients used as fragrance compounds, many of these chemicals lack substantial research and safety data, and some have been associated with serious negative health effects.
Some fragrance ingredients are toxic chemicals that can cause a range of health harms. Exposure to some of these substances can lead to a wide range of health problems. Many fragrance chemicals are not disclosed, and some are linked to serious health problems such as cancer, reproductive and developmental toxicity, allergies, and sensitivities.
If you’re 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. However, fragrance ingredients are exempt from disclosure in any product.
