If you knew that your perfume contained undisclosed chemicals that had not been proven safe, would you still spray it on yourself?
And would you want your child exposed to those chemicals?
Perfume is actually being referred to as the new second hand smoke.
While I personally choose NOT to wear perfume for my health, here in Iraq, where I’m living currently, I’m exposed to a lot of “second hand perfume.” People here really LOVE their perfume (and cologne)!
So just as I try to keep my distance from people smoking, I also try to keep my distance from people doused in perfume.
Luckily, my husband is not one of those people – otherwise, we wouldn’t be together right now. Not only because I would have kept my distance, but also because the cologne would have masked the scent of his natural pheromones. So, if you’re trying to attract a compatible mate, it’s better to actually NOT wear perfume or any product with a strong fragrance.
Sadly, I’ve even seen perfume being sprayed on babies.
So, I was inspired to write this blog post to educate people about the dangers of using perfume. As well as any products containing synthetic fragrance, not only for the person wearing them, but for those around them (especially children).
And, what’s more. Many other beauty and personal care products contain these undisclosed chemicals as well under the ingredient label of “fragrance” or “parfum?”
Why is perfume and “fragrance” so bad for us?
What you perceive as a “pleasant scent” is actually a combination of chemicals which have been linked to hormone disruption (which impacts so many processes in your body), reproductive problems, and even cancer. (1)
Lucky for the fragrance companies, but unfortunate for you, they can hide any chemicals they want under the ingredient label “fragrance” or “parfum” because of their need to protect their trade secret formula.
What if I told you that many of the undisclosed chemicals were proven to cause numerous health problems? And that by inhaling perfume, or spraying it directly on your skin, it quickly ends up in your bloodstream.
Now, I could also go off on a rant about all the chemicals in processed foods – but I wanted to focus this week on raising your awareness about the toxins that you take in through products that your spray on yourself, or rub into your skin.
Sure, we inhale toxins ALL. THE. TIME. from our environment. And luckily our body has the amazing ability to detox our system on a daily basis.
However, when you overload your body with too many toxins the detoxification pathways become less effective and more and more toxins end up getting stored in fat cells in your body (yes, more toxins equates to more fat deposits in your body).
So, we want to reduce our toxic exposure from our environment as much as possible, and perfume is one of the big culprits that we can easily reduce our exposure to.
Here’s why I don’t use perfume & do my best to avoid being around people wearing strong perfume:
- It gives me headache
Strong perfume gives me a headache, so this is reason enough to avoid it because anything that gives you a headache you know must not be good for your health.
- Undisclosed chemicals
As I said earlier, the term “fragrance” on a label is used to protect a “trade secret” formula. This could actually equate to thousands of different chemicals making up the scent.
- Not tested for safety
And no one is ensuring those combinations of chemicals are safe!
Even many of the individual chemicals used in popular fragrances have never been tested for safety by the FDA in the U.S. as the industry is largely self-regulated.
Why would you want to put your safety in the hands of companies that are just out to make money?
According to the Environment Working Group (EWG):
“The word ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’ on the product label represents an undisclosed mixture of various scent chemicals and ingredients used as fragrance dispersants such as diethyl phthalate. Fragrance mixes have been associated with allergies, dermatitis [skin irritation], respiratory distress and potential effects on the reproductive system.” (2)
- Can lead to hormone imbalance
Many of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances are hormone disruptors.
Hormone-disrupting chemicals, like phthalates, can mimic estrogen and interfere with thyroid function. They can also cause anxiety, depression and mood swings. They can also promote acne and worsen PMS or menopause symptoms. (3)
And, remember, it’s not just perfume that you need to be concerned about…
Most shampoos, conditions, other personal care & household products (i.e. cleaning products and laundry soap) contain synthetic fragrance too.
Some “fragrance” might be okay if you know the company is only using natural oils. But most of the popular products you’ll find on shelves in stores (unless it’s your local health food store, or Whole Foods Market, or equivalent) are not safe.
Check the EWG’s Skin Deep database to find the safest products.
How to smell nice, while reducing your toxic chemical exposure:
Shower, using safe products.
Be sure to use products that are free of parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances and other questionable ingredients. Check the EWG’s Skin Deep database to find out if your products are safe. Personally, I like Dr. Bronner’s pure castile soap, in peppermint. I also love to use handmade olive oil soaps, scented with natural oils.
Use a natural fragrance.
Simply use a few drops of essential oil, or buy a perfume made only with natural fragrances. I don’t use anything so I can’t give a personal recommendation, but if you’re living in the U.S., you can check out the EWG verified options of fragrance for women here: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/browse/fragrance+for+women/
Wear a safe deodorant, with natural fragrance.
Use a deodorant that is free of “fragrance” unless the company discloses what they use and you know it’s safe. And also watch out for these 7 harmful ingredients in deodorant as well. I use Native brand, coconut scent. While “fragrance” is listed on their label, they only use a blend of natural oils.
The Bottom Line
When purchasing any personal care products (from perfume to shampoo to baby wipes), or household products (i.e. laundry and dish soap, and other cleaning products) check the label and don’t buy/use anything with “fragrance,” or “parfum” listed as an ingredient.
Unless you have a way of knowing that the ingredients in their “fragrance” are safe, you should read it as “hidden chemicals, not proven safe.”
Your best bet is to use the EWG’s Skin Deep database to find the safest options possible for you and those around you.
There are also a lot of DIY options available if you don’t have access to safe options to buy.
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