Fragrance in skincare: allergy, labels and pregnancy

What “fragrance” on a label means

Fragrance, listed as Parfum in the usual international format, is a composition of scent chemicals. A clinical review notes that about 2,500 different fragrance ingredients are used in perfumes, and that at least 100 of them are known contact allergens.¹

That is why one word on a label is hard to judge: it can mean a short blend or a long one, and the label does not say which. Snifff reads Parfum as a single entry, Moderate risk, and that reading is about the category, not a specific scent.

How common fragrance allergy is

Fragrance ingredients are one of the most frequent causes of contact allergic reactions. The standard test is a patch test with a mixture of fragrance ingredients, and a 2003 review reports a positive reaction in about 10% of patients tested for eczema, with 1.7 to 4.1% of the general population sensitised to ingredients of that mixture.¹

A later study, in a random sample of the general population in five European countries, found a conservatively estimated prevalence of fragrance contact allergy of 1.9%. Rates in women were about twice those in men.²

Most people are therefore not allergic. But allergy is common enough that if a product reddens, itches or blisters your skin, fragrance is one of the first ingredients worth suspecting.

What “fragrance-free” does and does not tell you

The clinical review points out that products labelled “fragrance free” have been shown to contain fragrance ingredients, either because they are used as preservatives or masking perfumes, or because botanical ingredients carry them.¹

So the claim on the front of the pack is a starting point. If you know you react to a particular fragrance allergen, check for it by name in the full ingredient list.

What regulators say about fragrance allergens

The EU’s safety committee, in plain-language material on perfume allergies, says contact allergy to fragrances is a common, significant and relevant problem in Europe, and that the 26 fragrance allergens identified in an earlier opinion are still relevant.³

Some of those allergens must be named on a label when they are present above set levels. In the Cosmetics Regulation, a listed fragrance allergen has to be named in the ingredients list when it exceeds 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off product.⁴

Fragrance in pregnancy and breastfeeding

No pregnancy-specific evidence is not the same as safe, or as unsafe.

Evidence on cosmetic products in pregnancy is limited overall, so ask your doctor or midwife about the specific product you use.⁵

What you will see on the label

Look for Parfum, Fragrance or Aroma. Snifff shows it as Moderate risk. For the rest of the formula, see what the score means and how to read the list.

If you know you react to scented products, our guide to reading an ingredient list shows where to look.

As Snifff shows it

Parfum

Moderate risk

Pregnancy and nursing

We found no pregnancy- or lactation-specific evidence for this ingredient.

Wording as it appears in the extension, which can change between releases.