Up until the modernisation of perfumery in the late 1880s, all perfumes were made from natural plants and animal sources. Synthetic fragrance was subsequently discovered and 95% of commercial products today contain fragrance, otherwise also known as parfum. This can be found in a wide range of FMCG products such as detergent, soap, cream, lotion, sunscreen and candles. No, we are not telling you to stop using them. It is unfortunately inevitable that we are and will continue to be surrounded by chemically created scents. But we believe you should be more informed and aware of what you buying. In most products, fragrances are added to emit a pleasant scent and often than not, used to disguise the offending chemical smell of other ingredients. Can you now try to imagine your favourite face serum or shampoo without the fragrance you were first attracted to? Yes, I thought I would frown a little too!
Unknown outside the industry, fragrance was labeled as the "new second hand smoke" in 2009 by researchers from University of Maryland. What's the problem with fragrance? Not the scent as you might think but rather the synthetic chemicals derived from petroleum, tar and industrial processing.
“Over the past 50 years, 80-90% of ingredients used to manufacture fragrances have been synthesised from petroleum and some of the commonly found harmful chemicals such as acetone, phenol, toluene, benzyl acetate, and limonene.”
Less than half of the chemicals used worldwide in synthetic fragrances are tested for toxicity. You might be more surprised to learn that some components of the fragrance in your face cream and shower gel are the same as those used in pesticides! And that's not even the main problem! Toxins cause damage to the central nervous system and possible reactions to fragrance include but are not limited to the following:
- Respiratory - sinus allergy, asthma, breathlessness and airway dysfunction syndromes.
- Neurological - migraine, nausea, dizziness, palpitations, fainting and mental confusion.
- Skin rash, irritation and sensitisation.
- Tearing and inflammation of eyes.
Do you know that when you use products containing synthetic fragrance, it creates a bubble of toxins that continues to be dispersed for hours and affects everyone nearby? Do you know someone who reacts violently to the point of collapsing when she is surrounded by a heavy cloud of perfume? Do you know a child suffers from asthma triggered by clothing in contact with fragranced softener? Do you have a friend whose dermatitis is a result of fragrance in cosmetics? These are very real examples of how a fragrance may smell wonderful to you but is causes physical grief in others. In fact, parents should be very concerned. There is sufficient research evidence out demonstrating exposure to synthetic fragrances contribute to the development of asthma in children.
Fresh Air Please!
Sure, fragrance is meant to be pleasurable but we should also adopt a sense of personal awareness when we are wearing them and not impose, directly or indirectly, "second hand smoke" onto others. It will require a huge mentality shift though, since most of us are simply too attached to one's own pleasure and do not feel the need to "lighten up" or give up synthetic fragranced products for alternatives that natural and "friendlier" to oneself, others and the environment.
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