Fragrance and how it is harmful in skincare?

Why do most skincare products and cosmetics contain fragrances? To begin with, manufacturers know scented commodities impact purchasing decisions of consumers. Besides, many of these items don’t smell good without the pleasant smell. Sweet scents also conceal the disagreeable odors of skincare products packed in bottles or other containers. Even essential oils or natural ingredients can stink due to bacteria which may not be good for our skin.

The Food and Drug Administration defines fragrance as a mixture of chemicals that provides perfumes, colognes, cosmetics, and skincare items a unique smell. Ingredients normally come from raw materials including petroleum. Such chemical substances contain solvents, additives, stabilizers, dyes, and Ultraviolet rays’ absorbers.

Skin’s Reaction to Fragrances

Fragrance ingredients cause a sensitizing effect on a person’s skin. According to research on skincare products, the scents normally generate adverse reactions on all types of skin whether these are sensitive or not. In other words, scented items apply to everyone. You may not notice the damage that happens discreetly each day.

The truth is it produces slight skin problems in the interim and more severe issues in the long-term. This is what happens with constant exposure to the sun’s Ultraviolet or UV rays. Injury is amassed but potentially toxic. You don’t see anything happening to the surface until years later when the damage is already acute.

The odor may either be natural or artificial. It really doesn’t matter since this always turn out as a major challenge for the skin. Individuals with hypersensitive epidermis usually encounter acne spots or rosacea, common skin ailment that produces redness as well as noticeable blood vessels on the face.

Keep Off Perfumed Skincare Products

In this case, fragrance has become a no-brainer. Additional research disclosed any aromatic body concoction or potion has the capability to activate the following conditions:

• Allergies
• Chronic Lung Disorder like Asthma
• Eczema or Dermatitis
• Prolonged Headaches
• Hives (Skin Rashes)
• Psoriasis or skin disease marked by itchy and red patches
• Nausea

Government Regulations

Then, why doesn’t the FDA regulate perfumed substances? Enterprises consider these formulas as trade secrets. It means government agencies cannot compel manufacturers to reveal procedures and ingredients unless stipulated by legislation. If not,  competitors can easily copy other brands and sell them at lower prices.

Is it true if a manufacturer prints on the label that a certain product is fragrance-free? This claim means the formula doesn’t have any added scent, but ingredients still contain an odor. Many products contain natural ingredients like shea and coconut butters but still emit an aroma, according to dermatologists.

Detrimental or Not

Can you determine if a skincare fragrance is irritating or harmful? The cardinal rule is to conduct patch testing and wait for several hours before applying it all over your body. Place a small drop and check your skin’s reaction after a few hours. Go ahead if you don’t see a difference. Some specialists in skin diagnosis and treatment emphasize the importance of moisture barrier. The person may have higher sensitivity if this protective wall is not intact.

Stop using the product if you discover symptoms such as skin breakouts, eye irritation, inflammation, and redness. Try to look for natural mild ingredients like carrots, blueberries, coconuts, tomatoes, and cucumbers that soothe and hydrate the skin minus uncomfortable reactions. Avoid using “citrus-derived” products or those with warming or cooling agents such as cinnamon which can elicit flare-ups.

The good news is the skincare and cosmetic industries have been working hard to replace artificial scents with natural alternatives. Yet, consumers with sensitive skin must stay away from commercial commodities that indicate fragrance-free or only for sensitive skin on their labels. According to the International Fragrance Association, more than 3,000 fragrance compound ingredients have been associated with allergies, reproductive noxiousness, and cancers.

What’s the Bottom Line?

Now that you know the reactions and negative causes, it is essential to watch out for these warnings when you go shopping for skincare merchandise. There’s always a list and guidelines on the packaging although most of these are technical in nature. Here’s the catch: Fragrance can be irritating and injurious. Stay away from it like the plague even if it smells good. Otherwise, you may regret making a buying decision in the end.