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What's that smell? Unfortunately, there's no way to know. Fragrance is considered a trade secret, so companies don't have to tell us what's in it – often dozens or even hundreds of synthetic chemical compounds. Almost half the products in Skin Deep contain the generic term "fragrance," from shampoos and deodorants to lotions and shaving creams. Even "unscented" products may contain masking fragrances, which are chemicals used to cover up the odor of other chemicals.
Some hidden hazards that may be lurking in products that contain synthetic fragrance include:
• Allergens: Fragrances are considered to be among the top five known allergens and are known to both cause and trigger asthma attacks.
• Phthalates: Product tests conducted by Consumer Reports ShopSmart magazine in January 2007 found the phthalates DEP and DEHP (which is banned in Europe) in each of eight popular perfumes tested. In 2002, the "Not Too Pretty" report from some of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics founders revealed phthalates in more than 72 percent of personal care products tested, including fragrance-containing shampoos, deodorants and hair gels. None of the products listed phthalates on the label. Follow-up testing in 2008, published in the report, "A Little Prettier," indicated that some leading companies are now using fewer phthalates than in 2002, though these companies still deny that phthalates may pose a health risk.
• Sensitizers: One in every 50 people may suffer immune system damage from fragrance and become sensitized, according to the EU's Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-food Products. Once sensitized to an ingredient, a person can remain so for a lifetime, enduring allergic reactions with every subsequent exposure.
• Neurotoxins: As far back as 1986, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences identified fragrance ingredients as one of six categories of neurotoxins (chemicals that are toxic to the brain) that should be thoroughly investigated for impacts on human health. However, this research has not been demanded or funded. The FDA has taken no action on a petition submitted to the agency in 1999 requesting fragrance components to be listed on labels.
What You Can Do
Choose products with no added synthetic fragrance. Look for products without the word fragrance on the label, or choose products that use natural fragrance or essential oils. You can also use theSkin Deep advanced search to look for products with no added fragrance.
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Actually I have to disagree. There are plenty of dangerous Essential Oils (and I have shockingly seen some people use them in b&b products) and most synthetic Fragrance Oils have been extensively tested to make sure that they are skin-safe. Sensitizers are in both, I know, as we have to label them in Europe and they are a pain in the neck, they make my labels look like an accident in a chemical factory even if I only use EOs, but funny enough, there are now synthetic fragrance oils which do not contain any phtalates or sensitizers, this is something no Essential Oil can manage. Neurotxins are more likely to be in Essential Oils than in Skin-Safe fragrance oils, at least in Europe where FOs are heavily regulated.
ReplyDeleteI label my products accordingly, comsumers should be able to make intelligent choices, but natural is not always better (poison ivy is natural...)
Hi Bubble Works, thanks for your comment, very much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt that EOs in the wrong hands can have dangerous effects.
As a scientist, I have personal concerns regarding synthetics in cosmetics, and having been involved in scientific research I also have some concerns about the "findings" relating to some of these substances. We scientists are a conservative lot, and often this can be misconstrued by cosmetics companies (who most often fund this research), and often the health effects of these substances can be VERY subtle, difficult to diagnose, and take many years to show symptoms. There are many cases of synthetics been classed as being safe, but years down the track being found to have serious health effects.
This is not to say that EOs do not have the same pitfalls.
In the end, correct labelling is the key, and consumers have the choice. In the EC labeling of soap is quite strict, as it is in ASEAN countries. The same does not apply in the US, but that may change in the near future if the Harmonized Cosmetics Act goes through.
Again, thanks for your comments.