Artificial fragrances are one of the most common sources of irritation in conventional skincare.

They account for a large portion of what we smell in today’s products. Yes, they make the products smell wonderful! But you’d be less impressed if you knew how artificial fragrances are manufactured as well as the toll they can take on your health.

Our sense of smell is immensely powerful – You can relive a memory simply by smelling something. Some of our favourite smells are roasted coffee, baking cakes, a new blossom, to name just a few.

Why are artificial fragrances used in so many products?  There are several reasons: primarily products are fragranced to improve their consumer appeal and to mask unpleasant chemical odours.

However, not all scents are created equal. Many of these fragrances are synthetic, manufactured in a lab, and include potentially harmful substances.

The Dirty Secret behind Artificial Fragrance

The big issue is that there’s no way of knowing exactly what’s in artificial or synthetic fragrances because the ingredient list only says “Fragrance” or “Parfum”.  This means it could contain any number of chemicals (from a list of over 5000!) used in the beauty industry, the majority of which have never been tested for safety.

“Fragrance”, on the other hand, gets a pass under the legislation because it’s the sole ingredient that doesn’t have to specify what it is. How do businesses get away with it? Fragrances are classified as a “trade secret,” with formulations that are only known by the manufacturer, leaving us, the consumers, in the dark.

What exactly are synthetic fragrances?

Synthetic fragrances are made up of a variety of compounds derived from petroleum or crude oil. These compounds are combined to give a certain scent.

Artificial fragrances are frequently not stated in product ingredient lists, yet they contain harsh chemicals such as benzene derivatives, aldehydes, toluene, and phthalates.

Chemists all over the world are always experimenting with different combinations in order to create a fragrance that will make items more appealing or mask unwanted chemical odours. They understand how a drop of this chemical makes things smell more floral, while a drop of that one makes it smell sweeter.

Why do companies use Artificial Frangrance in Skincare??

Companies want to make money, and chemical fragrances are far less expensive than natural aromas. Moisturizers, cleansers, body washes, shampoos, conditioners, soaps, deodorants, and candles are all commonly scented artificially. These alluring scents trick you into thinking you’re getting something luxurious when, in reality, you’re getting something potentially unpleasant to your skin and harmful to your health.

Skin irritation, allergies, asthma, eczema, headaches, hives, nausea, psoriasis, wheezing, and contact dermatitis are all possible side effects of artificial fragrances. Artificial fragrances are toxic to anyone who happens to be close because they are airborne.  This is why they are becoming known as the new second-hand smoking!

Cancer, birth deformities, hormone disruption, sperm count reduction, migraines, asthma, and allergies have all been related to artificial fragrances. 95 percent of synthetic scents are generated from petroleum, according to a 1986 assessment by the National Academy of Science. However, product ingredient labels do not disclose the elements that make up the Artificial Fragrance. Instead they use the enigmatic “fragrance,” which obscures the substance’s detail.  According to the NCBI in their article titled Health and societal effects from exposure to fragranced consumer products “…33% of Australians report health problems, such as migraine headaches and asthma attacks, when exposed to fragranced products.”

How can I avoid artificial fragrances?

You have two possibilities for taking charge of your health, at least in terms of smell. The first is to choose essential oil-fragranced products. Flowers, fruit, grasses, seeds, bark, wood, roots, leaves, balsam, and resin are utilized to make certified organic essential oils.  These are used to create wonderful fragrances. They’ve been around for thousands of years and have a wonderful scent without being overpowering.  The second alternative is to use fragrance-free products.  This is the way to go if you are sensitive to chemicals or have allergies to essential oils.

Artificial fragrances have a significant negative impact on human health, with unquantifiable long-term consequences. What we do know is that allergies and sensitivities are affecting more people than ever before. Because we want to limit our exposure to potentially harmful chemicals and pollutants, all Cherish Beauty skincare products are fragranced with one hundred percent natural essential oils.

Artificial fragrances are not required to make Cherish Beauty products appealing or to mask undesirable chemical odours. Cherish Beauty skincare smells naturally lovely because it is made with essential oils. Our products feature the scents of Orange blossom, Rose Geranium, Frankincense, Lavender and others to nourish your skin and lift your spirits.

Artificial scents are unnecessary when natural essential oils smell wonderful without the negative side effects.