Fragrance sensitivity goes further than an aversion to strong perfumes or colognes. It can be an irritating, distracting, and uncomfortable experience. The symptoms can range from headaches and nausea to redness, itching, and burning on the skin and eyes.
This allergy-like reaction is especially common with synthetic fragrances, which are often made from a cocktail of various chemicals. These mixtures are used to add scent to everything from perfume to face wash. For us, clean skincare comes down to knowing exactly what is in our products, and why it’s there at all.
While some of us are able to tolerate synthetic fragrances without noticeable side effects, those with sensitive skin may need to be particularly well-read on their product’s ingredients.
Common Sensitivities to Synthetic Fragrances
Synthetic fragrances can react poorly with our skin and senses because they are often made with harsh chemicals that our body just doesn’t agree with. What makes identifying fragrance sensitivities so difficult is that “fragrance” is often used as a catch-all term on ingredients lists.
This means that a product could contain dozens of chemicals under one word, making it difficult for consumers to pinpoint exactly what they might be reacting to. It’s frustrating, but it also underscores the importance of choosing products from brands that are transparent about the ingredients they use (Pssst, like us).
While there are numerous chemicals in synthetic fragrances that could cause a reaction, there are two common culprits that you may have heard of: phthalates and parabens.
Phthalates
Phthalates are a group of chemicals generally used to make plastics more durable—a very unappealing idea when you consider that they’re commonly found in our personal care products.
These chemicals are used in synthetic fragrances in order to sustain a long lasting scent. In addition to causing allergic reactions, phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), meaning that they interfere with our body’s natural hormone functions, especially estrogen.
Parabens
“Paraben” is a term referring to any group of chemicals that are used as preservatives, and can be found in everything from shampoo to concealer.
Parabens are also EDCs, and interfere with our natural hormone cycles. Women usually have higher levels of exposure to paraben because they are absorbed by the skin through makeup and other skincare products.
Why Ingredients Matter
These chemicals are used in very small doses within a single product, meaning they are often unregulated. The problem is, they are used in everything from hair care, skincare, deodorant, makeup, to an expanse of other household goods.
Much like the discoveries that caused retinol regulations, scientists are now observing that our bodies absorb and store these chemicals, causing our exposure to accumulate over time.
In fact, 96% of Canadian women have detectable levels of parabens in their urine.
To learn more about endocrine disruption, and how it can occur, check out this great article by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Benefits of Naturally Scented Skincare
The skin is the largest organ in the body, and it requires extra care. Often, when we use products to protect and nourish our body, we can unknowingly put our skin in harm’s way.
Skin sensitivities are an excellent reason to opt for fragrance-free or naturally scented skincare, but limiting exposure to EDCs is something that everyone should consider.
Choosing fragrance free products can minimize your risk of skin flare-ups, and can help you maintain a healthier skin barrier. Instead of synthetic ingredients, naturally scented skincare uses essential oils and plant extracts that are gentler on the skin, and provide their own unique benefits.
Choosing Skincare That Honours Your Skin’s Needs
At Lake+Main, you won’t see any ambiguously named ingredients on our labels—what you see is what you get. Our Zen Wellness Spray smells like a botanical garden because we use lavender, eucalyptus and tea tree to make it. Our FRESH Seasonal Scrub smells like strawberries and salt, two ingredients you’ll immediately recognize on the label. It’s as simple as that.
Whether you’re dealing with fragrance sensitivities, or simply want to be able to pronounce what ingredients you put on your skin, our products are designed with your health in mind.
