synthetic fragrance: what’s actually hidden in the label

(i can't look at these perfumes the same way anymore...)

fragrance is everywhere. perfume and cologne, obviously - but also body sprays, lotions, deodorants, candles, laundry detergent, skincare and household cleaning products. it’s something many of us apply to our skin or inhale daily, often without thinking twice about what it actually contains.

however, ‘fragrance’ is a legal umbrella term that can mask a complex cocktail of hundreds of chemicals. because these ingredients are often protected as “trade secrets,” manufacturers aren’t required to disclose them individually.

a report, from the environmental working group (ewg), analysing 17 name-brand fragrances found that on average, each contained 14 chemicals not listed on the label... many of which were associated with hormone disruption, inflammation and allergic reactions. 

this lack of transparency makes it difficult for consumers to make fully-informed choices about products they use daily… often on their skin or inhaled directly.

what’s hidden under “fragrance”?

(sneaky sneaky... always the loopholes)

fragrance mixtures can include a wide range of chemical classes, including volatile organic compounds (vocs), synthetic musks, phthalates, aldehydes and various solvents or stabilisers. 

individually, many of these substances are considered safe at very low concentrations. where things get more complicated - and less well-understood - is chronic exposure, repeated use over long periods of time and exposure to mixtures rather than isolated compounds.

some fragrance-related chemicals have been shown to:

• act as endocrine (hormone) disruptors

• contribute to allergic reactions and sensitisation

• accumulate in human tissues over time

• affect respiratory health through vocs released into the air

another piece that often gets overlooked is regulation. in the u.s., fragrance ingredients are not systematically reviewed by the fda before products go on the market. oversight is limited and much of the responsibility for safety evaluation sits with manufacturers themselves (we all know what that means!).

what the research has actually explored

(RIPS so many health implications)

a systematic review examining perfumes and colognes identified several classes of chemicals commonly found in these products - including phthalates, aldehydes, parabens and aluminum-based compounds - that have been associated with outcomes such as allergies, reproductive effects, neurological symptoms and migraines.

other reviews note potential links between synthetic fragrance exposure and:

• skin and respiratory irritation (including asthma and sensitivity)

• headaches and other neurological symptoms

• disruption of endocrine, immune and neural signaling pathways

at the same time, researchers are very clear about the limits of the current evidence. many papers emphasise that the long-term, cumulative effects of repeated low-level exposure to multiple fragrance chemicals remain under-researched - not necessarily because they’re benign… but because they’re difficult to study.

there are obviously still limitations: these studies identify associations (not definitive cause), exposure levels in daily life are often much lower than doses used in animal studies and the strictness of regulations varies by region! good to keep these in mind too.

how i (and others) have approached this

(i've started seeing more 'natural' deodorants in the market - these are still important to vet ingredients for though!)

we don’t fearmonger here - so here’s how i’ve tried to make more informed choices! i have definitely become more intentional about minimising my exposure to unnecessary fragrance!

one example: i’ve moved away from heavily-fragranced, conventional deodorants (maybe a year ago?), many of which rely on added fragrance alongside aluminum-based compounds. i now use a potassium alum (alum rock) deodorant, which works by inhibiting odor-causing bacteria rather than masking smell with scent. it’s simple, it works for me and it significantly reduces the number of ingredients involved.

another example: i don’t instinctively spritz myself with a cloud of perfume as part of my morning routine. instead, if i feel like it, i’ll apply perfume for special occasions - maybe a few spritzes if it’s lady night and i’m going out to the club HEHE!

yet another example: i’ve also become more intentional with things like candles and room scents, especially in enclosed spaces; i always have a window open when i have a candle lit. i’m also more mindful about how often i’m exposed to dense fragrance environments (e.g. like sephoras, duty-frees, etc).

at the end of the day, who doesn’t like to smell like a warm vanilla cupcake or an expensive old lady? i still enjoy fragrance. i just use less of it and i care more about what’s actually in it.

also, some options that i’ve seen other people explore online:

• opting for brands that disclose individual fragrance ingredients

• choosing true fragrance-free products (not just “unscented”)

• layering essential oils diluted in carrier oils for more control over scent composition (i really want to try this!)

they’re just different ways of reducing unnecessary exposure, depending on your sensitivities, preferences and lifestyle.

where i land on this

(i'm really curious to see how research in this space evolves!)

synthetic fragrances aren’t inherently evil… but they are under-disclosed, under-regulated and under-studied given how common and continuous exposure is.

for me, this isn’t about cutting everything out. it’s about being a bit more deliberate, asking better questions and accepting that small, repeatable changes matter more than trying to be “perfect.”

that feels like a much more sustainable place to operate from!

~

if you liked this post and want to read more about low-tox living, then please check out these other blogs i’ve written!

the low tox living starter pack

the skin-safe fabric deep dive

when did everything become plastic