have been linked to synthetic chemical fragrances.
In people whose immune system is constantly alert “thanks” to large amounts of synthetic additives
they consume with food, drinks, and cosmetics, every additional chemical triggers a much more acute
reaction than in people whose bodies aren’t overly sensitized. But it’s really hard to get rid of
fragrances today. A pretty scent helps sell otherwise no-nonsense laundry detergents, dishwashing
liquids, and baby wet wipes. Celebrity fragrances are churned out overnight. For many fashion
designers, couture collections serve only to help sell fragrances, shower gels, and body lotions. Our
fascination with fragrances grows exponentially: celebrity-fragrance sales have increased by 2,000
percent since 2004.
Here’s a bit of harsh reality: British researchers spent quite a bit of money on a massive shopping
spree, buying 300 perfumed cosmetic and household products available on the shelves of UK stores
in January 2006 (Buckley 2007). They only bought products that listed “parfum,” “fragrance,” or
“aroma” among the ingredients. The results weren’t all roses: the top six most frequently labeled
fragrances were linalool (found mostly in expensive perfumes, soaps, shampoos, and shower gels),
limonene (most frequently found in toothpastes, aftershaves, dishwashing liquids, and detergents),
citronellol (found in deodorants), geraniol, but ylphenyl methylpropional, and hexyl cinnamal. Other
top scents detected in 300 popular cosmetic products were eugenol, hydroxycitronellal, isoeugenol,
cinnamal, and oak moss (Evernia prunastri) absolute. Hydroxyisohexyl-3-cyclohexene
carboxaldehyde (Lyral) was present in large concentrations in almost one-third of the products.
Scientists concluded that linalool and limonene, both strong allergens, are the most frequent
fragrances inhaled and rubbed into skin by millions of people.
And the list, sadly, can go on and on. A potent carcinogen, methylene chloride, banned for use in
1988, can still be found in shampoos and shoe polish spray; methyl eugenol, also a potential
carcinogen in animals, is present in shampoos and men’s grooming products; ethyl acrylate, another
chemical that killed rats with cancer in 2002, is listed among ingredients in antiaging creams,
designer fragrances, and sunscreen towelettes.
When I made a big leap and switched to purely organic scents, the whole picture got clearer and
scarier—or maybe my head was working better without all those synthetic vapors? On one side, there
is a noticeable interest in truly natural scents. On the other, famous “noses” come up with yet another
alluring twist and weave together scents that Mother Nature still has to invent. I can’t help but suspect
that the fragrance industry may now be acting similar to the tobacco industry in the early 1990s,
hiding the truth of the very serious health effects of secondhand smoke and chemicals from cigarettes.
Even perfectly natural and gentle skin products, such as a “98.36 percent natural” carrot
moisturizer that I have tested and reviewed recently, contain fragrances. They are used to mask
otherwise blunt or even repulsive odors of natural ingredients or to add depth and staying power to
scents of essential oils already present in the composition. After years of testing various beauty
products, my skin became as tolerant as a celebrity UN ambassador, and I suspect nothing can throw
it off balance. But since the phrase “made with pure essential oils” translates to an ingredient list with
a small percentage of essential oils, with the remainder being synthetic fragrances, chemical
enhancers, and boosters added in an attempt to cut costs, I cannot help but think that a natural herbal
scent is in fact a chemical cocktail that is anything but healthy.
Can you really be too careful? Well, you are informed now—maybe scared—and the choice is
yours. With a little girl growing up and a family history of allergies and cancer, I prefer to err on the
side of caution. If something was proven unsafe once, even in animal studies, I would avoid this