Fragrance is a combination of chemicals that gives each perfume or cologne (including those used in other products) its distinct scent. Fragrance ingredients may be derived from petroleum or natural raw materials. While most fragrance chemicals are not disclosed, we do know that some are linked to serious health problems such as cancer, reproductive and developmental toxicity, allergies, and sensitivities. Here are some key points about fragrance:
Positive:
- Fragrances are substances possessing strong-smelling organic compounds that have characteristic, pleasant odors.
Negative:
- Fragrance chemicals can cause a range of health problems.
- Many fragrance chemicals lack substantial research and safety data, and some have been associated with serious negative health effects.
Ingredients or materials:
- Fragrance 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, fragrance is made up of dozens of ingredients.
- There are thousands of registered fragrance ingredients made from five classes of compounds: alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, and lactones.
- The IFRA Transparency List is an overview of the ingredients used to create fragrance mixtures employed by consumer goods companies in personal care products, home care, and other applications.
- Fragrance ingredients may be derived from petroleum or natural raw materials.
- In addition to “scent” chemicals that create the fragrance, perfumes and colognes also contain solvents, stabilizers, UV-absorbers, preservatives, and dyes.
