Many beauty products have fragrances, including moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and foundations. While fragrance makes skincare smell irresistible, does it really provide any tangible benefits to the skin?
Fragrance plays a significant role in stimulating and pleasing our senses. As a result, natural and synthetic fragrances have always been included in the formulation of skincare products.
But now that there is more awareness about reactions caused by fragranced products, there is also a heated argument about whether or not one should use fragranced skincare and if fragrance-free and scent-free skincare are preferable.
Let’s dive in to understand more about fragrances used in skincare.
Why is fragrance added to skincare products?
A “pleasant”-smelling product is alluring to the senses. Hence, fragrances are frequently added to hide the underlying scent of ingredients or improve the product’s aroma. Even if people have sensitive skin and prefer non-fragranced skincare products, there is still a huge market of skincare users who actually prefer fragranced products. After all, imagine waking up and using an aromatic cleanser to start your day; the pleasant scent by itself enhances the overall experience. Some scents can make you feel nostalgic, cozy, or even cleaner. They are employed to stimulate the user’s senses and create a positive mode. But what kind of fragrances are being added?
Two types of fragrances are used in skincare products:
- Synthetic Fragrances
Simply put, synthetic fragrances are artificially created in a laboratory. Perfumes can be entirely synthetic or semi-synthetic, meaning that just some of the chemicals used are manmade, and the rest naturally occur. The longevity of synthetic scent outlasts a natural aroma, which is one of the main reasons why most brands prefer artificial over natural fragrances. Moreover, a synthetic fragrance can last up to five years, but a natural fragrance may only last up to one to two years. This is why some skincare products may continue to smell ‘fresh’ for longer periods, even after passing their shelf life and use by date. Hence, be sure to check the expiration dates of skincare products before application.
- Natural Fragrances
Natural fragrances such as French lavender, damask rose, or Indian sandalwood all come from a natural source; these are not created in a laboratory. There is only one kind of natural fragrance—all-natural—in contrast to synthetic. Quite a few brands use naturally-occurring scents, although the scent may not stay as long as synthetic fragrances.
Are fragranced skincare products harmful to the skin?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a black-or-white answer to this. Since there are limited regulations, companies can get away with declaring “fragrance” as an ingredient without revealing the other components that go into it. While some people can tolerate fragranced skincare products, those with sensitive skin may have allergies and face discomfort. Also, masking fragrances in unscented products is designed to conceal a bad smell and create a neutral “no fragrance” scent. For instance, urea, sulfur/sulfa, and hydrolyzed collagen may smell unpleasant after undergoing chemical reactions, which can be off-putting to most people. However, formulators then make such products seem pleasant to wear by adding a masking fragrance.
The good news is that there are skincare brands that create formulations without fragrance and help in minimising triggers to allergic reactions.
How can you tell whether you are sensitive to fragrance?
They can be figured out if you’ve any one of these reactions:
- Irritant contact dermatitis
It is brought on by the irritation of the skin’s outer layer by the fragrance of the skincare products. Your skin barrier may be damaged, which could make it more sensitive. And when the barrier is weakened, it allows moisture to escape. Not only that, it allows foreign objects like irritants to appear, ending up with tiny cracks all over the skin.
- Allergic contact dermatitis
This might happen as a fragrance in a skincare product may trigger the skin’s immune system as it may perceive fragrance as a foreign molecule.
In both situations, the skin may feel uncomfortable, get red and irritated, and develop itchy, dry, flaky patches.
What is the final takeaway?
Aside from being a sensory treat, Fragrances may not harm the skin, but they also cannot benefit the skin. Start with patch testing if you’re still unsure whether or not you feel comfortable using fragranced skincare products.
Any product intended for sensitive skin, especially the face, neck, or eye area, should be free of added fragrances. The presence of fragrance in body lotions and hand creams isn’t all that harmful. The skin around the eyes and neck tends to be thinner and more sensitive to these fragrances. However, those with skin conditions such as eczema, rosacia, and psoriasis should avoid fragranced skin and body care products altogether. Keep in mind that all humans don’t have one common skin type, and somebody else’s experience may not be relevant to decide if a skincare product will suit you or not.
Also, some individuals get allergic reactions to certain fragrances after prolonged use. It is because they develop sensitized skin from long-term exposure. This can also result from frequent irritability caused by lifestyle, common irritants, and cosmetic chemicals, including alcohol, fragrance, and artificial colour, apart from other external factors. For them, any kind of fragrance, be it the ones added in body lotions & hand creams or face creams, can act as an irritant.
It is essential to speak to a dermatologist or allergist who can help you pinpoint the cause if you notice that a product is irritating your skin and you suspect it may be due to its fragrance.