Fragrance makes up a big part of our sensory world. In an instant, a whiff of fragrance can transport you back in time, unlocking and triggering behaviour and evoking a range of emotions and images. It is all around us; not just in the perfumes we spritz on ourselves, but in the skincare products we use, our body washes, hand creams, air purifiers and the list goes on. But the truth is, when it comes to fragrances, everything isn’t coming up roses. Below, Mukti (Cosmetic Formulator, Skin Therapist, and founder of Mukti Organics) reveals in an edited excerpt of her new book Truth in Beauty, why you should avoid fragrances.
Fragrances permeate our lives – from the air we breathe, the clothes we wear, in our kitchens, bathrooms, and on other people we encounter. But the sad reality is, no one is immune to their impervious nature. We absorb the chemicals found in fragrances through our skin, nose, and mouth. Our senses have become overburdened with the dangerous nature of fragrance.
The words ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’ on a cosmetic or skincare label, could contain anywhere between 10 to 300 potentially neurotoxic and carcinogenic chemicals from a pool of thousands. The scent not only affects the end user, but also everyone within sniffing radius. In confined spaces, fragrances can be a sickening experience for some people. So, while you may love how your perfume makes you feel and it may be a pleasantly indulgent experience for you, it’s time to consider that it can trigger significant reactions in others, ranging from asthma attacks to headaches, chest tightness, wheezing, nausea, and irritated airways. That’s not to mention the long-term and culminative effects that synthetic fragrances can have, such high levels of musk causing infertility and ovarian failure, and even contributing to brain cell degeneration and Parkinson’s disease.
WAYS TO MINIMISE HARM OF PERFUME USE
My advice is to avoid synthetic fragrance at all costs, but I understand not everyone will heed this advice. For those who are devoted to their scents, there are ways to minimise harm, along with some incredible fragrance alternatives available.
To help reduce fragrance exposure, apply perfume in a well-ventilated area, or outdoors, and avoid direct contact. For indoor application, opening windows and doors, taking a deep breath, blocking your nose, spraying once, walking through the mist, and leaving the room allows the fragrance to adhere to your clothing. This ensures that, even if your sense of smell has become desensitised, those you encounter will still catch a whiff of the fragrance. Patch testing the skin for sensitivity is a simple and crucial step when trying out new skincare or cosmetic products. It helps identify any adverse reactions or potential allergies before applying a product to a larger area.
CLEAN FRAGRANCES
‘Clean’ fragrances have become a popular option on the market, however, the term ‘clean’ is confusing for many. Most people would assume that the word ‘clean’ simply means toxin-free, however, it usually means the fragrance is made with natural ingredients, and efforts are usually made to reduce the impact on the environment. While I believe this is an incredible step, it does not mean clean fragrances are devoid of danger.
Unfortunately, the beauty industry is largely unregulated in Australia, meaning there is no legal definition or parameters that brands have to adhere to, and perfume brands do not legally have to list the ingredients on the back of the bottle (or the packaging). Simply saying ‘fragrance’ or ‘
FRAGRANCE ALTERNATIVES
There are many incredible fragrance-free alternatives that you can find in most personal care products, and you can rest assured knowing Mukti Organics products are fragrance free. We use minimal essential oil synergies in our product formulations due to their beneficial and therapeutic qualities on the skin: regulating sebum production, transdermal penetration, potency, natural antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, fungicidal, anti-ageing, wound healing, and fat dissolving properties, and improvement in circulation.
If you’re looking to avoid fragrances altogether but still want to look for an alternative, consider essential oil-based fragrances or diluted essential oils. Essential oils on their own are extremely potent and are readily absorbed via the skin into the bloodstream. Hence, they should be used respectfully and with caution. Never use essential oils neat – always use a carrier, as they’re extremely concentrated. They contain constituents that are linked to allergies and sensitivities, so patch test first.
This is an edited excerpt from the book Truth in Beauty by Mukti, available at www.muktiorganics.com
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