Fragrance is a term used to describe a mixture of chemicals that give products their unique scent. It is not 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, and companies are not required to disclose the individual fragrance elements as the fragrance “blend” is considered proprietary information. Fragrance ingredients may be derived from petroleum or natural raw materials.
While fragrances are used in many products as a perfume, they can also be added to cosmetics and household goods. The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) lists over 3,500 fragrance chemicals in use today. However, many of these chemicals lack substantial research and safety data, and some have been associated with serious negative health effects. Some fragrance allergens will have to be disclosed under a new federal law that passed in December 2022, but the Food and Drug Administration has not yet released the list of allergens that must be disclosed, and the requirements will not go into effect until at least 2025.
Here are some details about fragrances and their ingredients or materials:
Positive:
- Fragrances give products their unique scent.
- Fragrances can be derived from natural raw materials.
Negative:
- Fragrance ingredients may be toxic chemicals that can cause a range of health harms.
- Many fragrance chemicals lack substantial research and safety data, and some have been associated with serious negative health effects.
- Companies are not required to disclose the individual fragrance elements as the fragrance “blend” is considered proprietary information.
Ingredients or materials:
- Fragrance is a mixture of chemicals that give products their unique scent.
- Fragrance ingredients may be derived from petroleum or natural ra...
