The Reasons Why You Should Leave Fragrance Out Of Your Skincare
About 9 out of 10 clients I've helped over the years, asked for skincare products that smelled good. No matter how much I've educated on the dangers of using fragrance on human skin, the expectation of having the perfect product remains. Consumers consistently come in to the cosmetic counter wanting efficacy, silky texture, more recently sustainability and ethics, but generally still won't forgo the demand for a luxurious formula that glides on and smells incredible.
With that much expectation, skincare companies oblige. They give you what you ask for because they need to stay in business by selling you products you like and enjoy. It is far too difficult to step outside the norm and make healthy, clean, fragrance-free products that will sit on the shelves and collect dust. This is why YOU, the consumer, needs to change your expectation. Leave the fragrance for your candles, and your Eau de Parfum, and leave it out of your moisturizer and serum.
Companies got creative and found ways to claim fragrance-free on their packaging by adding essential oils as natural substitutes. Natural isn't always the best option, but that is for another blog. Essential oils, when used in high concentration can be very volatile and destructive to the lipid barrier. They also have the potential to be cytotoxic, meaning they destroy living cells.
But back to artificial fragrance. Did you know that companies are able to hide hundreds or even thousands of chemicals under that ONE word? Fragrance or Perfume. Many of these ingredients are potentially hormonal disruptors and /or cancer-causing, not to mention contact dermatitis, allergic reactions and eye irritation.
In this instant gratification age, please take a moment and think about what you should want from your skincare. Don't pay top dollar for skin damaging products that may potentially cause serious health issues. To me, not worth the smell!
We've gotten a number of inquiries from readers requesting recommendations for safer alternatives. This is why The Beauty Doctrine team has worked tirelessly to curate a collection of skincare, haircare, fragrance and wellness products that meet our strict standards of efficacy and safety while being free of artificial fragrance, and have either no essential oils, or a minimal amount used for preserving the formula or for treating a skin concern. Please refer to our Sensitive Skin page for a selection of our favorite clean skincare products, and don't forget to check out our fragrance page containing the modern and intoxicating scents by Lake and Skye made with 100% natural fragrances.
Lake & Skye's Echo Lake Eau de Parfum is one of our favorites, with a perfect balance of floral and woody with notes of bergamot, juniper and sandalwood. A distinctive and unisex scent that can be worn both during the day and night, on any occasion.
Circling back to the topic of essential oils, you can still enjoy the wonderful scents of essential oils as well, as reap the benefits of aromatherapy by way of a high quality diffuser. Vitruvi essential oils are 100% pure, vegan, and cruelty-free. Free from synthetic fragrance, sulfates, parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates, and mineral oil. The brand also has an amazing Stone Diffuser that will not only look beautiful on your desk but also releases some humidifying steam, which makes it double up as a humidifier! Not only will your home be smelling amazing but your skin will thank you for adding some much needed moisture back into it, especially during these upcoming colder months.
For candle lovers who are concerned with having to part from their beloved scents, here at The Beauty Doctrine we have curated the best candles made of paraben-free and phthalate-free fragrance oils.
Our first pick would have to be our very own Natural Candle w/ Organic Cotton Wick, Coconut Wax candle. This candle is crafted with a beautiful blend of renewable, vegan, coconut and apricot wax. The scent is soft and not overpowering, perfect for those that are prone to headaches from strong scents, with a lasting power of 80+ hours.
Please check out more items to make your home cozy on our Home & Gifts page.
Another must-have for your home is Salt & Stone's Black Rose & Vetiver Natural Candle. A dynamic and bright aromatic blend of pink grapefruit, orange and black pepper enhanced by Vetiver and Patchouli. This intoxicating smell has a lasting power of up to 55 hours and is ideal for fragrance addicts who love a strong projection.
Be well. Be safe. Be beautiful!
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