Fragrance or Parfum is an umbrella term that refers to all the compounds and chemicals that comprise a product’s scent. 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. Fragrances are substances possessing strong-smelling organic compounds that have characteristic, pleasant odors. They can be made up of a mix of any of more than 3,500 chemicals. Fragrance ingredients may be derived from petroleum or natural raw materials. Synthetic fragrance ingredients can either be nature-identical or artificial.
While fragrances are commonly used in many products, they can carry potentially serious negative long-term health effects. Fragrance mixes have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress, and potential effects on the reproductive system. Some fragrance ingredients are toxic chemicals that can cause a range of health harms. Adverse effects of perfume primarily involve irritant and allergic reactions.
Manufacturers aren’t required to list fragrance ingredients on the product label, and these chemicals are rarely, if ever, listed on the ingredients label. Instead, they’re simply grouped under the umbrella words “fragrance,” “perfume” or “parfum,” or “aroma,” among others. 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.
