Scent Of Danger - Why You Should Ditch Synthetic Fragrance
Have you ever had a sneezing fit or been hit with a headache after smelling or wearing a particular fragrance?
If you open your bathroom cabinet right now and read the ingredient labels of every beauty and skincare product, you’re likely to find ‘fragrance’ listed somewhere.
The term ‘fragrance’ is a very ambiguous one in the cosmetic and beauty industry. The word was initially used to protect the secret formula of a brand’s proprietary blend of ingredients that make up the scent of the product.
The problem with this secrecy is we as consumers have no idea what ingredients make up the fragrance of a certain product. A company can include any number of ingredients in a fragrance, even if they are harmful, without having to reveal when they are.
International Fragrance Research Association (IFRA), published a Transparency List of a massive 3,000 chemicals used in fragrance but these ingredients are still rarely disclosed on specific products.
That should be a big red flag for anyone who wants to make more conscious, healthy, and transparent choices in their skincare. We want and deserve full information when choosing products!
Look Out For These Harmful Ingredients In Synthetic Fragrance
Companies can include any ingredients they like under the label of ‘fragrance’ but there are two ingredients commonly found to fragrance skincare, sunscreen, and cosmetics that are especially troublesome.
These are alkylphenol and methylparaben.
Studies have shown these to be quantified irritants that can trigger dermatitis, allergies, respiratory problems and are endocrine disruptors - chemicals that interfere with normal hormone function.
Those don’t sound like ingredients we want anywhere near our bodies!
Other common symptoms linked to synthetic fragrance include; headaches, migraines, sore eyes, irritated throats, and noses, plus nausea and dizziness.
Phthalates, a family of chemical compounds, are also common culprits in scented products used to extend the fragrance so it lasts longer on the skin. Phthalates have been linked to asthma, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, breast cancer, obesity and type II diabetes.
100% Natural Scents - A Healthier Alternative To Toxic Perfumes
Opting for a 100% natural, organic fragrance is your best healthy beauty bet to steer clear of toxic chemicals!
They don’t just smell divine, 100% natural organic scents derived from pure essential oils can deliver an aromatic boost for your health and wellbeing too - including calming, energy-enhancing, relaxing or mood-lifting benefits. Natural perfumes have been used for centuries for their wellbeing benefits, the same can’t be said for synthetic fragrances with toxic ingredients.
Our Coast Coast Sydney Botanical range of truly natural handcrafted perfumes are exquisite blends of essential oils that deliver gorgeous scents without any synthetic ingredients.
Some of the hero scents we use include:
Frankincense
Rose Damask
Bergamot
Champaka (White Magnolia)
Jasmine
Ylang Ylang
It’s important to keep in mind, if you have sensitive skin, you may find some pure essential oils too strong so it’s always a smart idea to do a patch test first.
Tips for keeping synthetic fragrances out of your skincare products
As always, reading the ingredient list before purchasing a product is key to making the healthiest choice for your skin. It’s pretty simple; avoid with the ambiguous ‘fragrance’ or parfum’ in the ingredients list - this one ingredient is made up of multiple chemicals.
Always investigate further into the claim of “natural fragrance” on a label. Some brands will use this term to market a product but as there is no actual criteria for what this means, the fragrance of these products can be unsafe too.
If a product is scented with essential oil, make sure it’s a real essential oil, not fragrance oil. Essential oils are steam-distilled pure plant extracts from botanical ingredients such as flowers, fruits, seeds, bark, leaves, wood and other natural raw materials whereas fragrance oils are synthetically made chemical scent compounds.
Certified organic products shouldn’t contain synthetic fragrances.
Choosing products that are fragrance-free or unscented is also an option but do make sure that it truly is fragrance-free. Some brands use a sneaky tactic of declaring a product fragrance free but use another chemical to mask the scent!
We hope this article helps sheds some light on the concerns and potential health risks of synthetic fragrance. We encourage you to choose a natural option, they smell amazing and can even improve your health, rather than risk it!