What it is
On a cosmetic label, the single word fragrance (or parfum in the EU) represents a proprietary mixture that, on average, is made up of dozens of individual scent chemicals and can contain a hundred or more components. It is added to make a product smell appealing and to mask the inherent base odor of other raw materials. Because the blend is treated as a trade secret, the individual components are usually not broken out on the label, so a consumer generally cannot tell exactly what is in it.
Safety & warnings
Fragrance is one of the most common causes of contact allergy from cosmetics and was named Allergen of the Year in 2007 by the American Contact Dermatitis Society, with fragrance mixes ranking among the most prevalent positive patch-test reactions. People with sensitive, reactive, or eczema-prone skin are most likely to react and may prefer fragrance-free products. Because the blend is not fully disclosed on the label, those needing to avoid a specific scent allergen cannot always confirm its absence from the word alone.
Origin & sourcing
Fragrance blends can be built from synthetic aroma chemicals, naturally derived essential oils and extracts, or a combination of both. Natural sourcing does not make a fragrance inherently safer for sensitive skin, as naturally derived scent materials can be just as allergenic as synthetic ones.
Questions everyone asks
What does 'fragrance' actually mean on the label?
It is a single term standing for a blend of many scent compounds, often dozens, added to give the product a pleasant smell or mask other ingredient odors.
Is natural fragrance safer than synthetic?
Not necessarily. Naturally derived scent materials can be just as allergenic as synthetic ones for sensitive skin.
Why can't I see what's in the fragrance?
The blend is treated as a trade secret, so individual scent chemicals are usually not listed, which makes it hard to know exactly what it contains.