Fragrances are used in many products as a perfume, including skin, body, hair, and even childrens products. Fragrance ingredients are organic compounds that have characteristic, pleasant odors. However, "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, and companies are not required to disclose the individual fragrance elements as the fragrance "blend" is considered proprietary information.
The FDA regulates fragrance ingredients as cosmetics if they are in a cosmetic product and function to provide scent. However, the FDA does not approve or test cosmetic products, including fragrances, before they are available for sale. Manufacturers are legally responsible for ensuring product safety when we use the products as intended.
Some positive aspects of fragrances include that they can provide a pleasant scent to products, and some people may enjoy using them. However, some negative aspects include that fragrance ingredients may be derived from petroleum or natural raw materials, and some of these ingredients may have hazardous effects. Additionally, manufacturers do not volunteer information regarding fragrance ingredients, which prevents physicians from performing reliable tests or assessments.
Ingredients or materials used in fragrances are not always listed on product labels, and the chemical components in fragrance itself are protected as trade secrets and described on the label only as "fragrance". However, there are many beauty brands to choose from that do not use fragrance and disclose every aspect of their product's ingredients.
