Perfumes and fragrances are substances possessing strong-smelling organic compounds that have characteristic, pleasant odors. They are used in many products as a perfume, and sometimes a fragrance ingredient can also be a flavor ingredient because flavors and fragrances use similar chemical messengers in our body. Fragrance ingredients can be either nature-identical or artificial, and five classes of compounds make up most fragrance ingredients: alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, and lactones.
When it comes to safety, fragrance manufacturers prioritize safety and exclude over 170 ingredients from their fragrances, which is more extensive than the list of ingredients banned by the international Fragrance Association (IFRA) . They conduct an additional safety assessment of their fragrances and their ingredients. The European Union has also published an initial list of perfumery materials that must not form part of fragrance compounds used in cosmetic products.
However, fragrances can also have hazardous effects, and vague labeling of fragrance ingredients as "perfume" or "fragrance" can hamper diagnostic and preventive approaches. Synthetic fragrance ingredients can also cause allergic reactions and skin irritation.
Overall, the ingredients or materials used in perfumes and fragrances can vary widely depending on the manufacturer and product. It is important to read labels and do research on specific products to understand their ingredients and potential effects.
