There’s a good chance you’ll find this on every single product you use: Fragrance. The mystery ingredient you’ll find in almost every self-care and household product. Why? Well, for one, who doesn’t like nice smelling things? Scents bring up memories and often bring a sense of relaxation and peace. 

So why should women be inclined to buy non-toxic fragrances? Let’s take a look at the current problem. In the US, companies have no legal obligation to disclose what their “fragrance” is made from, because it’s considered proprietary. Aka, they can put anything they want in there to make something smell good and stick to your skin, clothes and hair – even if’s a known carcinogen. 

On average, your typical fragrance mixtures typically contains several hundred chemicals, most of which are synthetic.  According to a 2018 study, fragrances emit the same amount of chemical vapors as petroleum emissions from cars.

Many of these chemicals are considered volatile organic compounds (also known as VOCs). When breathed in or absorbed through the skin, these VOCs can cause an immune reaction – like respiratory issues, headaches, skin irritation, and even asthma attacks.  The worst part? VOC’s can accumulate in our body over time, leading to long term health effects.

Even though its completely legal to not disclose fragrance ingredients, many of them are considered toxic by the US federal laws. One of the biggest culprits being phthalates – hormone disruptors linked to reproductive issues and birth defects. 

In short? Stick to non-toxic perfumes (and anything with scent, for that matter) that are transparent with their ingredients and fragrance. If you’re not in the mood to read labels, no worries – here’s our top non-toxic perfume picks for Fall 2020.