Why Fragrance is Everywhere
When we think about fragrance, we can appreciate that certain scents impart enhanced sensory moments and evoke memories, and whilst it’s an obvious ingredient in a favourite perfume for example, fragrance is also one of the most widely used ingredients in the personal and skin care industry. Fragrance has many uses and applications, from masking unpleasant ingredient smells to giving formulas a more appealing scent, it’s used in almost every personal care product.
In skincare, fragrance can:
- Mask unpleasant ingredient odours
- Make a formula more appealing
- Be included for marketing or sensory appeal
- It’s used in almost every personal care product¹ - but is it always safe?
Why Fragrance is Everywhere
When we think about fragrance, we can appreciate that certain scents impart enhanced sensory moments and evoke memories, and whilst it’s an obvious ingredient in a favourite perfume for example, fragrance is also one of the most widely used ingredients in the personal and skin care industry. Fragrance has many uses and applications, from masking unpleasant ingredient smells to giving formulas a more appealing scent, it’s used in almost every personal care product.
In skincare, fragrance can:
- Mask unpleasant ingredient odours
- Make a formula more appealing
- Be included for marketing or sensory appeal
- It’s used in almost every personal care product¹ - but is it always safe?
Is There Cause for Concern?
There are thousands of chemicals used to make fragrance. Concerns often centre on:
- Lack of testing for toxicity when used alone or in combination.
- Potential to trigger allergies, sensitivities, or other adverse health effects.
- Some synthetic fragrances containing phthalates - known endocrine disruptors.
Fragrance molecules are small and lightweight, meaning they can penetrate and absorb into the skin. Whether synthetic or natural, research shows fragrance is one of the most common skin sensitisers.
For those with sensitive skin, dermatitis, or eczema, fragrance can be a trigger. Even if you don’t notice reactions right away, sensitivity can develop over time due to toxic loading - the gradual build-up of exposure in your daily routine.
How do I know if my skincare has fragrance?
Interestingly, product ingredient listings do not have to include all the compounds that make up a particular fragrance. It seems that manufacturers that consider their fragrance a "trade secret", are not required to disclose all the fragrance chemicals in the list of ingredients.
For a product to be labelled fragrance-free, it must contain no synthetic or natural fragrance chemicals, including essential oils. Fragrance on a label may be listed as:
- Fragrance
- Parfum
- Aroma
- Perfume
- An essential oil i.e., lavender/lavendula, augustifolia etc.
Unscented can also be misleading as it may still contain masking agents to neutralise odour.
Our Verdict
Become and ingredient reader and choose fragrance-free. Conduct a personal and skincare audit and remove fragrance from your regime where possible.
When choosing Biologi plant-based skincare, be assured that our products do NOT contain any fragrance or essential oils whatsoever, so you and your skincare regime can rest easy.