Scented skincare products are very common – as are sensitivities to substances used to create those scents. Skin reactions can occur with products containing synthetic fragrance oils – and also with products scented with natural essential oils. What we put on our skin affects our health – whether personally or related to products we purchase for family members. Information is a significant asset for us as consumers – it’s the foundation of good choices.

This post is Part One of a series exploring the use of Fragrance Oils and Essential Oils in skincare:

• Part One: Introduction and Fragrance Oils Overview
• Part Two: Essential Oils Overview and Suggestions for Selecting Products

Introduction
The debate about the use of fragrance oils vs. plant-based essential oils in skincare products has been going on since 1868, when the first synthetic fragrance was produced. As with all debates – especially those involving personal care and health – there are very strong opinions on both sides of the issue.

The majority of scented products offered at Soaps by Nature are formulated with natural essential oils. Some products are formulated with synthetic fragrance oils, especially in those cases where a popular scent cannot be extracted from actual plant material. Examples are (non-citrus) fruit and berry scents; “dessert” scents such as chocolate and caramel or popular perfume scents.

Other factors come into play as well: sandalwood essential oil is a very popular scent and has historically been used in skin care as a natural plant-extracted ingredient. However, natural sandalwood essential oil is less available now and very expensive due to commercial overharvesting of sandalwood trees. As a result, we’re seeing more natural products companies switch to sandalwood fragrance oil.

Fragrance Oils Overview
Fragrance oil(s), also known as aroma oils, aromatic oils, and flavor oils, are blended synthetic aroma compounds or natural essential oils that are diluted with a carrier like propylene glycol, vegetable oil, or mineral oil. Aromatic oils are used in perfumery, cosmetics, flavoring of food, and in aromatherapy.¹

• Although generally considered save by regulatory authorities, fragrance oils may contain ingredients such as petroleum or coal tar, within limits established by the FDA. These ingredients can be harmful to humans and animals, e.g. allergic skin reactions.
• Synthetic fragrances mean fewer and in some cases scarce, natural raw materials are consumed (see above note on sandalwood essential oil).
• Sythetics provide for more consistency in quality and formulation than do naturally-grown materials.
• Synthetics provide for fragrances not available in natural form.
• Synthetics provide an affordable alternative for popular scents.

Issues/Concerns About Fragrance Oils
Fragrance oils have the sole purpose of making a product smell good; they do not have the beneficial properties of natural essential oils. Other issues include:

• Fragrance oils may include some plant-based essential oils, however the FDA does not require full disclosure of all ingredients in a fragrance oil. Synthetic fragrance ingredients are considered trade secrets and on a product label, are typically identified only as “fragrance.”
• Fragrance oil ingredients may cause respiratory or allergic skin reactions and/or have other harmful impact on humans and animals.

COMING UP NEXT
Part Two: Essential Oils Overview and Suggestions for Selecting Products

¹Dictionary.com accessed December 2011.