Fragrance is a term used to describe the smell of a product or mixture of products. It can be natural or synthetic. It can be derived from plants, flowers, or essential oils. It can also be made in a laboratory by mixing different chemicals together. It can contain a wide range of scents that are intended to evoke feelings or memories. It is commonly found in perfumes, colognes, and other scented products such as soaps, detergents, lotions, and candles.
The FDA requires that all beauty and personal care products list their ingredients on the back of the product. However, fragrances are a special case because they’re protected as trade secrets and manufacturers do not need to disclose the ingredients that go into their fragrance mixes. Instead, they can simply list a general term such as “fragrance” or “parfum” on the product’s ingredient label.
In addition to the actual scent chemicals, fragrances also contain a variety of other products such as solvents, stabilizers, and UV-absorbers. Despite the fact that they are often used to cover up unpleasant odors, these chemical additives can have dangerous side effects such as cancer, reproductive and developmental toxicity, allergies, and sensitivities.
The bottom line is that if you see the words “fragrance,” “perfume” or “parfum” on an ingredient list, the product likely contains a combination of up to 3,500 different synthetic chemicals that never have to be disclosed to consumers. For safe and effective use, always dilute your fragrance oil with a carrier oil such as jojoba or almond oil before applying it to the skin.