Perfume is such an intimate experience. But why is there a lack of information in our perfume?
Did you know?
Fragrances are linked to a staggering number of health risks. Across multiple research studies, chemicals used to make fragrances are classified as allergens, hormone disruptors, asthma triggers, neurotoxins & carcinogens.
Some fragrance ingredients are not perfuming agents themselves but enhance the performance of perfuming agents. For example, diethyl phthalate or DEP is widely used in cosmetic fragrances to make the scent linger. However, the European Commission listed DEP on its Endocrine Disruption list, stating that it interferes with hormone function. Phthalates have been linked to early puberty in girls and reduced sperm count in men.
Perfume blend with essential oils
It has taken years for aromatherapists and alchemists to evolve the best extracting scent from flowers and herbs. When we connect with a blend and then spray it on our body, we claim it as our own personal statement. However, synthetic fragrances don’t offer the same layering qualities as natural fragrances.
Naturalists and aromatherapists have argued that these synthetic fragrances don’t usually blend the same way into our own bodies. How could they! After all, these have been designed not to change or alter. They have been designed for strength and consistency.
While the synthetic fragrances can sometimes approximate the dominant qualities of the natural essences, they cannot capture the same subtlety or softness, nor can they mimic the way natural perfumes evolve on the skin, uniquely in response to body chemistry.
Benefits For You
Perfumes and body spray blended with essential and carrier oils are the same oils used for their healing powers, aromatherapy practices and personal wellness. That’s an important note to remember because whatever goes ON your skin also goes IN your body.
There is also the issue of the environment. I’m sure we’ve all worked in an environment where windows would not open. Fragrance chemicals are a serious environmental problem. Pollution from making, using and disposing of these chemicals hurts us all, especially our children.
Perfume Made With Chemical Fragrances
A single product can include a mixture of dozens or even hundreds of fragrance chemicals. Unfortunately, fragrance recipes are considered trade secrets so manufacturers are not required to disclose fragrance chemicals in the list of ingredients.
Many of these unlisted ingredients are irritants and can trigger allergies, migraines, and asthma symptoms. Synthetic musks are of particular concern; Environment Canada categorizes some of them as toxic.
Alas, that’s one thing Mother Nature has never promised us. Ensuring that each year we will get the same amount of crop in lavender, roses, basil…. or vanilla and…lemon.
There are many other products we use on a frequent basis that also contain fragrance ingredients, for example:
- Laundry detergents
- Fabric softeners
- Dryer sheets
- Room fresheners
- Carpet fresheners
How to avoid synthetic fragrance
Look for beauty products that plainly state what’s scenting it: On the back label, “fragrance” should be followed by a list of ingredients in parentheses.
Also, look for companies that don’t use any chemicals or synthetic fragrance molecules—just plant and flower extracts or essential oils—might call their products “fragrance-free.”
Finally, choose companies who disclose their ingredients.
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