Fragrances are substances possessing strong-smelling organic compounds that have characteristic, pleasant odors. They are used in many products as a perfume, including cosmetics, toiletries, household, laundry, air fresheners, candles, and incense products. 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. Fragrance ingredients are also commonly used in other products, such as shampoos, shower gels, shaving creams, and body lotions.
However, fragrance ingredients are not always disclosed on product labels, as the fragrance “blend” is considered proprietary information. Typically, fragrance is listed as “Fragrance” or “Parfum” on an ingredient list, which 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. The scents we love are typically comprised of many different ingredients, and finding the right combination is a complex, time-consuming endeavor.
While most fragrance chemicals are not disclosed, some are linked to serious health problems such as cancer, reproductive and developmental toxicity, allergies, and sensitivities. The safety of fragrance ingredients is assessed by a comprehensive program operated by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA), which includes fragrance safety standards that limit or ban the usage of certain fragrance materials.
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, it is important to note that some products labeled as “unscented” may still contain fragrance ingredients.
In summary, fragrance is a complex mixture of many different ingredients that give a product its distinct scent. While fragrance ingredients are not always disclosed on product labels, there are many beauty brands that do not use fragrance and disclose every aspect of their product’s ingredients.
