Synthetic Fragrance / Parfum: why to avoid them and what to use instead
'Fragrance' is a trade-secret umbrella that can hide dozens of undisclosed chemicals, including phthalate solvents and known sensitisers.
The short answer
Fragrance is the leading cause of contact allergy in cosmetics and the most common hiding place for phthalates. If you make one swap, make it in leave-on products and laundry detergent, where exposure is longest.
- Where it hides
- Almost every scented product — skincare, laundry, cleaning sprays, candles, baby wipes
- Cleaner swap
- Products scented with named essential oils, or genuinely fragrance-free formulas (not 'unscented', which can contain masking fragrance).
- Also listed as
- Parfum, Fragrance, Aroma, Perfume, Fragrance blend
The label names to scan for
- Fragrance
- Parfum
- Aroma
- Perfume
- Fragrance (parfum)
- Flavor (when in personal care)
- Unspecified 'essential oil blend'
Full list of synthetic fragrance to avoid, by regulatory status
Every name in this family, what kind it is, whether it is restricted, and the products it usually shows up in.
| Name on the label | Type | Regulatory status | Commonly found in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parfum / Fragrance | Undisclosed blend | Permitted; allergen naming required in EU | Skincare, haircare, detergent |
| Diethyl phthalate (DEP) | Fragrance solvent | Restricted in EU cosmetics | Perfume, body spray |
| Galaxolide (HHCB) | Synthetic musk | Under review; bioaccumulative | Detergent, fabric softener |
| Limonene | Natural allergen | Must be declared above threshold | Citrus-scented cleaners |
| Linalool | Natural allergen | Must be declared above threshold | Floral fragrances |
How to check a label in 30 seconds
- 1
Scan for the words fragrance, parfum or aroma
They are usually last in the ingredient list, after the preservatives.
- 2
Check for allergen names below the main list
EU labels append limonene, linalool, citronellol and similar when present above threshold.
- 3
Distinguish unscented from fragrance-free
Unscented products often still list parfum as a masking agent.
What regulators have actually done
The EU requires 26 known fragrance allergens to be named individually once above 0.001% in leave-on products, and is expanding that list. The US allows the single word 'fragrance' with no disclosure of components.
Why one word can mean 100 chemicals
Fragrance formulas are protected as trade secrets, so a single 'parfum' entry can represent 50–200 individual substances. Those can include phthalate solvents, synthetic musks that accumulate in tissue, and a long list of documented skin sensitisers. Brands that publish a full fragrance breakdown are the exception — and the ones worth trusting.
'Unscented' is not 'fragrance-free'
Unscented usually means a masking fragrance has been added to cover the base smell of the raw ingredients. Fragrance-free means no fragrance materials were added at all. Only the second claim removes the exposure, and only the ingredient list confirms it.
Natural fragrance is not automatically safer
Essential oils are also sensitisers — limonene, linalool and citral are among the 26 EU-declarable allergens and are naturally occurring. The advantage of essential oils is disclosure, not inherent safety; you can at least see what you are reacting to.
Synthetic Fragrance / Parfum: frequently asked questions
Is 'natural fragrance' better than 'parfum'?+
Slightly, because it narrows the source, but it is still undisclosed. Named oils on the ingredient list are the only real transparency.
Which products matter most for going fragrance-free?+
Laundry detergent, body lotion, deodorant and anything for babies — those have the longest skin or airway contact.
Does fragrance-free mean no smell?+
No. Fragrance-free products still smell of their ingredients — often faintly of oils or surfactants. It means nothing was added purely for scent.