Five facts you should know before using Perfume and Fragrance

This generation is a savvy one: bit by bit we’re moving away from big companies in the skin care and beauty industries, because we’re learning more about the long lists of chemical ingredients in their products. We’re choosing natural ingredients over synthetic ones that have harmful side effects. Product by product, we’re making better decisions for our health by choosing brands that are safer for our bodies and the environment—and we’re enjoying the benefits of captivating scents and brighter-looking skin while we’re doing it.

1. You don’t know whats in it – it’s a secret!

So you can use a nice term like “musky” fragrance which sounds exotic and nice but to make that smell they use a range of chemicals which have been shown to cause hormone disruption.

2. There is evidence that some of these chemicals may be harmful.

Those people sensitive to these “secret” chemicals may experience rashes, hay fever, headaches, asthma, difficulty concentrating etc. The usual response is to take some form of drug to stop the symptoms rather than looking at the cause. It could be your perfume. And that’s not to mention any longer term effects – some of the chemicals have been linked to diabetes and certain types of cancers.

3. Can you believe that you spray on your perfume trusting the ingredients have been tested by someone for safety … they haven’t!

Compulsory testing of chemicals used in fragrances was introduced about 12 years ago in Australia by the NICNAS (National Industrial Chemicals Notification and assessment scheme) Even that name is scary! However they only test new chemicals and so the 3000 already in use don’t have to be tested!

4. The evidence is mounting

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics analysed many top name widely used perfumes and found:

• About 14 secret chemicals per product,
• 10 chemicals per product that are known sensitizers which can trigger allergic reactions.
• 12 different hormone disrupting chemicals, some that mimic the hormone Estrogen and others that have an effect on the thyroid. Its crazy that we just prescribe thyroid medication rather than looking at the cause.

5. Can using a perfume harm your unborn baby?

When perfumes are sprayed on the pulse points they are either inhaled or absorbed into the skin. These chemicals accumulate in the body and can be passed onto the unborn child.

Two synthetic musk chemicals in particular were identified in the cord blood of newborn babies in a study by the EWG (Environmental Working Group). These were Galaxolide and Tonalide and have been associated with toxicity in the endocrine system. So already the baby starts its life with a level of toxicity.

Also DEP (Diethyl phthalate) which is a solvent used in fragrances has been linked to abnormal development of reproductive organs in baby boys and sperm damage in men and also the development of Attention Deficit Disorder in Children.

So its everywhere – just have a look at your products and when you see the word “fragrance” or “perfume’ – head for the hills!