19/02/2026
🌿 Fridays Low Tox Learning Week 1
The Truth About “Fragrance”
This one changed everything for me.
‘SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCE’
You'll find 'fragrance' or 'parfum' on the ingredients list of many beauty and personal care products. It may also be listed as one of these:
* Aroma
* Cologne
* Eau de parfum
* Eau de toilette
* Parfum / Perfume
* Musk
In an industry lacking regulation, brands aren't required to disclose the list of chemicals and ingredients within their fragrance formulations.
In fact, perfume brands can legally label over 3000 fragrance ingredients as 'parfum' or 'fragrance' Worse yet, most of these 'secret fragrance chemicals have not been assessed for safety in spray-on perfumes.
This is a problem because fragrances are inhaled and absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream, which can cause health issues such as:
❌ Allergic reactions
❌ Asthma attacks, breathing difficulties X Headaches, migraines, dizziness, brain tog and nausea
❌ Endocrine disruption (can mimic hormones like estrogen and alter your hormone levels)
❌ Cancer, more specifically breast cancer, because of the endocrine disruptors
In addition, many fragrances contain phthalates (chemicals commonly used to make smells linger for longer).
Phthalates are linked to endocrine (hormone) disruption, reproductive toxicity, and cancer.
This really made me pause and ask:
Why am I comfortable using something daily on my skin if I can’t clearly see what’s in it and is very much going to irritate my sensitive skin even more?
That question is one of the reasons I began making my own products - choosing to use gentle, natural ingredients, and if choosing, I scent them with clearly listed essential oils, so I know exactly what’s going onto my skin and into my home.
Removing items from around my home containing ‘fragrance/parfum’ was one of the first changes I made around my home. It wasn’t an overnight thing, and I still have one or two items that still have fragrance, only because I’m still researching how to DIY those products. I’ll get here.
When you know what’s in your products, you can make informed choices for yourself and your family.
Next time you pick something up, have a little read of the label. You might be surprised.
Knowledge over perfection. Always. 🌿