“The question that women casually shopping for perfume ask more than any other is this: “What scent drives men wild?” After years of intense research, we know the definitive answer. It is bacon.” – Luca Turin
We spend $12 billion dollars annually on perfume between the US and Europe. Yet, there are nearly 5,000 unregulated compounds that can be found in these fragrances, and less then 20% of those have gone thru any type of testing for human safety.
The Concern
One of the biggest lies that we believe as consumers is that the government prevents toxic chemicals from entering the market. I remember how shocked I was when I first learned this, and it still blows my mind. Yet, this is hard to believe, the perfume and cosmetic industries are not regulated at all. There is no testing required to ensure the safety of these chemicals. This essentially makes consumers a giant lab experiment with no controlled testing.
The toxins that are found in fragrances have been linked to cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders, asthma attacks and allergic reactions. These toxins include, cocoamide dea, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, acetone, benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, camphor, ethanol, ethyl acetate, limonene, linalool, methylene chloride, a-pinene, g-terpinene and a-terpineol. The Material Safety Data Sheets for these chemicals are filled with warnings such as “Do not inhale vapors,” or “Avoid contact with skin.” I know you really want to not believe this, I didn’t want to believe it either.
Even products that claim to be green or organic often times have fragrance listed in the ingredients. Did you also know that many of these same toxins are ones that you can find in cigarette smoke. Very few of us argue about the health dangers of cigarette smoke. Yet, we put these chemicals on our skin, where not only are they easily absorbed, but where they are easily inhaled by us and we do this everyday.
The Solution
I didn’t learn about all of this until I had multiple chemical sensitivities. These toxins affected me very seriously, for some it is headaches, tiredness and a general feeling of malaise. Yet, everyone I know that has changed to non-toxic products has told me how much better they feel.
The key is being aware of the ingredients that are in products. Just because it is on the shelf, does not make it safe. Buy from companies that are passionate about healthy living at the core of what they do. There are so many healthy alternatives to fragrance laden products. Buy only products that are scented with pure essential oils. Also, be careful about ‘fragrance free’ or ‘unscented’ products. Products that are labeled ‘fragrance free’ often have added chemicals to make them unscented.
photo via http://www.flickr.com/photos/denniswong/ / CC BY 2.0 WXU53HQHRVDH
My words of wisdom: Believe in love, in possibility, in going after your dreams, in never stopping, in not existing but living - fully, unapologetically and wildly, believe that all is good, and always trust your gut. 
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Great overview of the dangers of fragrance!
Careful on those essential oils though. They are often synthetic and contain chemicals too. They can make me ill!
Sandra,
Good reminder! I have had trouble with essential oils as well. Using ones I thought were pure and they really were not. Always stay away from synthetic, artificial, perfume and fragrance oils all of which are not derived from plants. Also, essential oils that are extended contain plasticizers and should be avoided.
Regarding essential oils and natural oils. Yes some are extracted using toxic chemicals but there is more information re these “natural” products.
I ended up completely collapsed with multi organ damage (ie paralyzed, internal bleeding, no blood being produced so on and on – recovered significantly with years of holistic therapies) (major exposure to same class of chemicals during building renovation (years of) after building fire. I have a background in biology and other sciences (was obtaining Masters in same)… all did much research.. I already knew that all plants have toxins in them – (self defense on their part) our liver’s and other systems evolved with these to be able to detoxify them (as well as our own metabolic processes which reads like a chemical lab!). (when chemicals, dietary choices and lack of proper nutrients, and other reason destroy the liver’s enzyme system, we “auto” intoxicate – adding more the the chemical assault – ie our own poisons from metabolism do damage). (this is a gross simplification on a highly complex process involving all organs in actuality).
Max Gerson mentions in his therapy from the early 30′s onward, on reasons why when ill why to avoid Citris oils (damaging to the cells) for this reason and others. (ie lemon and orange oils)
So, as in nature – rotation of any fragrance product (as in aromatherapy) and even use it only when needed is prudent. Cats for example are greatly harmed by both synthetics (scented kitty litter is a death sentence) and even natural ones as their liver system is ancient (like sensitive ferns) and did not evolve this ability (desert origination so no contact with and other reasons and as well reason why dry catfood is dangerous for them ie kidney failure).