Fragrance is a term used to describe a mixture of various scent chemicals and ingredients used as fragrance dispersants such as diethyl phthalate. It can be made up of a mix of any of more than 3,500 chemicals and gives personal care, cleaning and other products their unique smell. However, some fragrance ingredients are toxic chemicals that can cause a range of health harms. Manufacturers aren’t required to list fragrance ingredients on the product label, and these chemicals are rarely, if ever, listed on the ingredients label because they’re considered a trade secret. Instead, they’re simply grouped under the umbrella words “fragrance,” “perfume” or “parfum,” or “aroma,” among others.
Some fragrance mixes have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress, and potential effects on the reproductive system. Fragrance mixes are also a common concern for cancer, allergies & immunotoxicity, and developmental and reproductive toxicity.
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. In a small effort toward transparency, their website has a comprehensive list of over 3000 ingredients used as fragrance compounds. However, many of these chemicals lack substantial research and safety data, and some have been associated with serious negative health effects.
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-free products do not use fragrance materials for the specific scent, while unscented products contain chemicals that neutralize or mask the odors of other ingredients.
In summary, fragrance is a mixture of various scent chemicals and ingredients used as fragrance dispersants, and it can be made up of more than 3,500 chemicals. Some fragrance ingredients are toxic chemicals that can cause a range of health harms, and manufacturers aren’t required to list fragrance ingredients on the product label. The International Fragrance Association sets their own safety standards and regulations, but many of these chemicals lack substantial research and safety data, and some have been associated with serious negative health effects. There are many beauty brands to choose from that do not use Fragrance and disclose every aspect of their product’s ingredients.
