Fragrance is a combination of chemicals that gives each perfume or cologne its distinct scent. 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. Fragrances are employed in cosmetics, toiletries, household, laundry, air fresheners, candles, and incense products. They are part of the products in our everyday life unless we actively avoid fragranced products.
"Fragrance" or "Parfum" on an ingredient list is not technically an individual ingredient or chemical but rather an umbrella term that refers to all the compounds and chemicals that comprise a product’s fragrance. Typically, this is dozens of ingredients. Companies are not required to disclose the individual fragrance elements as the fragrance "blend" is considered proprietary information.
While most fragrance chemicals are not disclosed, some are linked to serious health problems such as cancer, reproductive and developmental toxicity, allergies, and sensitivities. Fragrance ingredients may 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. Some companies exclude over 170 ingredients from their fragrances, more extensive than the list of ingredients banned by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA).
In summary, fragrance is a combination of chemicals that gives each perfume or cologne its distinct scent. Fragrance ingredients may be derived from petroleum or natural raw materials. Fragrances are employed in cosmetics, toiletries, household, laundry, air fresheners, candles, and incense products. "Fragrance" or "Parfum" on an ingredient list is not technically an individual ingredient or chemical but rather an umbrella term that refers to all the compounds and chemicals that comprise a product’s fragrance. Some fragrance ingredients are linked to serious health problems. Some companies exclude over 170 ingredients from their fragrances.
