![](\"https:\/\/circledna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/content_images_2023_01_fragrance-in-skincare-2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nFragrance in Skincare: The Basics<\/h3>\n
Devising the perfect skincare routine<\/a> is a challenge for numerous reasons.<\/p>\n Everyone reacts to different ingredients in different ways. While some of us can slather on fragrance-infused products without any consequences, others need to avoid countless additives in their serums and soaps to minimize dermatological reactions.<\/p>\n Fragrance in skincare can be a complex concept. In the beauty industry, fragrance tends to come in two categories: synthetic fragrances and natural fragrances<\/p>\n Synthetic fragrances are developed in a lab, using unique molecules. Sometimes, these fragrances are used to make a product smell more appealing for a longer time. Synthetic fragrances can often last much longer than their natural alternatives. In other instances, companies use synthetic fragrances to cover up less appealing scents naturally produced by the ingredients they use.<\/p>\n This means a product with a synthetic fragrance may not smell like anything at all, but it could still be causing damage to your skin.<\/p>\n Natural fragrances originate from a natural source, such as lemon, cinnamon, lavender, or coconut. Because they\u2019re extracted from the natural world, many of us assume these ingredients are better for our skin, but this isn\u2019t always the case. While the substances may have fewer chemicals than synthetic fragrances, they can still cause irritation.<\/p>\n Essential oils taken from plants<\/a> can still cause disruption in the balance of natural oils already present in your skin. As such, if you have sensitive skin, it\u2019s best to use fragrance free products.<\/p>\n Choosing fragrance free skincare isn\u2019t a necessity for everyone. However, these products do pose fewer risks than those with added fragrances. According to the American Academy of Dermatology<\/a>, fragrances are the leading cause of allergic reactions on the skin.<\/p>\n Most fragrances impart scent through a volatile reaction between the oils on your skin and the substances within the product. Unfortunately, this reaction can frequently cause a sensitizing reaction in users, eliciting negative responses such as inflammation, redness, or discomfort.<\/p>\n In 2007, fragrance was named the \u201callergen of the year\u201d by the American Contact Dermatologist Society. In many people with sensitive skin, fragrances can worsen eczema and rosacea, as well as causing irritation and discomfort. If you have hyperpigmentation and dark spots, you may find fragrances of any kind to be particularly problematic to your skin.<\/p>\n Dry skin can also be more susceptible to reactions, potentially because your skin will be more likely to soak up larger amounts of the molecules included in your products.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not just the allergen issues associated with fragrance which is pushing people to consider fragrance free skincare alternatives either. Some people with sensitive noses can suffer from headaches when exposed to the slightest scents.<\/p>\n Fragrances have also been linked<\/a> to premature skin aging and heightened inflammation. Similar to exposure to ultraviolet light, chronic inflammation caused by fragrance can increase oxidative stress, free radical formation, and cause the degradation of collagen.<\/p>\n Even if you use fragrances as part of your washing routine in the shower or bath, exposure to the molecules in the products could cause long-lasting irritation. You may find some substances soak into the deeper levels of your skin before they can be completely removed.<\/p>\n One of the most challenging parts of addressing the problems with fragrance in skincare, is it\u2019s difficult to determine exactly which ingredients cause irritation. Cosmetics companies use the term \u2018fragrance\u2019 to refer to an umbrella of concoctions which may be natural or synthetic.<\/p>\n The industry is not required to list every ingredient used to make a product smell a certain way. This means you may struggle to pinpoint which substance is causing your skin problems. There are thousands of fragrance molecules included in most products, and only a small portion of those could be causing your problems.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no one-size-fits-all guide to which fragrances are most damaging to skin, although well-mixed, natural ingredients<\/a> may be less likely to cause distress than their lab-created alternatives. Some common fragrance ingredients you may be able to find on ingredient lists include:<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Linalool<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Citronellol<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender)<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Rosa damascena (Rose)<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Geraniol<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Eugenol<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Limonene<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Mentha piperita (Peppermint)<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Cinnamomum (Cinnamon)<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Eucalyptus<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Citrus bergamia (Bergamot)<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Cananga odorata (Ylang ylang)<\/p>\n Concerns around the potential impact of fragrances in skincare has led a lot of people to believe fragrance-free skincare is generally better for skin health. However, it is worth noting that fragrance-free has a different meaning in the cosmetic industry to unscented.<\/p>\n \u201cUnscented\u201d is not always the same as \u201cfragrance free\u201d. Unscented products may not have a scent, but there may be many chemicals and fragrances included within the product, to mask natural odors.<\/p>\n If you have a reaction when using a specific product, you may attempt to define which fragrance is causing your irritation, so you can simply avoid one substance. However, it isn\u2019t easy to know for certain whether a fragrance in a product will irritate your skin, either initially or over time.<\/p>\n Anyone can develop a sensitivity to a skincare product gradually, even if they\u2019ve been exposed to the same substance multiple times without a prior issue. The best way to avoid problems is to get a patch test administered by a dermatologist.<\/p>\n Generally, people with sensitive skin are better off using fragrance-free products, to avoid the risk of a reaction. Even if you think your skin isn\u2019t showing any signs of irritation initially when you use a fragranced product, there could be problems happening beneath the surface.<\/p>\n Human skin is generally quite good at hiding when it\u2019s suffering from issues. Your skin may appear to be fine on the surface, but damage could be occurring underneath the surface every day, causing minor problems in the short-term, and more severe complications in the long-term.<\/p>\n The type of fragrance free skincare solutions you should consider will depend on your specific situation. Some people can comfortably use natural ingredients with a pleasant fragrance without any issues, such as aloe vera, cocoa butter, or vanilla. Others may need to avoid all kinds of fragrances until they have a clearer view of which options cause them the most distress.<\/p>\n Fortunately, there are a number of fragrance free skincare products emerging in the market today, to help users avoid the issues of itchy skin<\/a>, inflammation and other common symptoms.<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Sukin: <\/strong>The Sukin brand produces a gentle cleanser with no added fragrances. It\u2019s made with natural ingredients such as vitamin E, and it\u2019s suitable for vegans and vegetarians. However, it does include some natural fragrances, such as rosehip and chamomile.<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Cetaphil: <\/strong>Often recommended by doctors and dermatologists, Cetaphil has no artificial fragrances, and it includes vitamin E and B5 to nourish your epidermis. The product is also lightweight, long-lasting, and relatively budget friendly.<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 CaraVe:<\/strong> CeraVe is similar to Cetaphil, but its range is centered around active ceramides, which are ideal for dry skin. Ceramides are great for improving the barrier function of your skin, which can help to protect against and minimize the symptoms of acne and eczema.<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Drunk Elephant:<\/strong> Drunk elephant products, such as the Vitamin C moisturizer, have brightening and skin-protecting benefits. It\u2019s free from any alcohols, silicones, and essential oils, but it does use some natural ingredients some people may be sensitive to.<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Green People:<\/strong> Green people products are generally fragrance and SLS-free. They contain natural ingredients such as marshmallow and aloe vera, to make them ideal for people with psoriasis and eczema. There are options for moisturizers, shower gels, and more.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re concerned about fragrances, and want to pursue a fragrance free skincare routine, you might find it helpful to talk to a doctor or dermatologist. They\u2019ll be able to help you define which products are most likely to cause irritation and inflammation for your skin.<\/p>\n Fragrance free skincare is certainly a lot more popular these days, particularly among people who are taking more care in choosing the right ingredients for their bodies. However, it\u2019s worth remembering everyone\u2019s skin is different. The way you react to fragrances can vary depending on your genetic makeup, and other factors.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re concerned about a specific product or oil which may be causing irritation, it\u2019s best to check in with your doctor or dermatologist. You could also consider getting an allergy test conducted. Alternatively, you can learn more about your genetic skin traits and skin sensitivities by getting your own CircleDNA<\/a> test kit,<\/strong> for information on what skin issues you might be genetically more likely to experience.<\/p>\n Whenever you\u2019re using a new product, whether it\u2019s fragrance free or not, it\u2019s worth doing a small patch test first, so you can examine how your skin responds to the ingredients.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Fragrance free skincare is becoming increasingly popular as clean beauty movements continue to alter our purchasing habits for the better. Social media influencers and celebrities alike are… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":2439,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[8546,7809,1816,1815,7811,4741,1814],"class_list":["post-1191","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized-en","tag-circledna-review","tag-fragrance","tag-fragrance-free-skincare","tag-gender-gap-in-depression-rates","tag-skincare-en-2","tag-us-uncategorized","tag-women-vs-men"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1191","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1191"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1191\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2439"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1191"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1191"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1191"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Fragrance Free Skincare VS the Problems with Fragranced Skincare<\/h3>\n
Which Types of Fragrances are the Worst for Your Skin?<\/h3>\n
Is Fragrance Free Skincare Better Overall?<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/circledna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/content_images_2023_01_types-of-fragrance-free-skincare-products.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nTypes of Fragrance Free Skincare Products to Consider<\/h3>\n
For instance:<\/h3>\n
Should You Go Fragrance Free?<\/h3>\n
References:<\/h3>\n
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\nhttps:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7825391\/<\/a><\/li>\n
\nhttps:\/\/server.aad.org\/Forms\/Policies\/Uploads\/PS\/PS-Chemical Identity of Fragrances.pdf<\/a>?<\/li>\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com\/site\/thederm\/site\/cathlab\/event\/review-acds-allergen-od-year-2000-2015<\/a><\/li>\n
\nhttps:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/symptoms\/23105-premature-aging<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\nResources:<\/h3>\n
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