Fragrance sensitivity can be defined as an irritation or an adverse reaction to chemicals in a perfume or other scented products such as air fresheners, laundry and cleaning products, synthetic chemical scented candles, perfume/cologne, deodorant, hair and skin care products.

People with asthma or other respiratory illness may be more susceptible to fragrance allergies. Also babies, young children and the elderly may be sensitive to it as well.

Dogs have 20 times more scent receptor cells than humans, and the scent-processing section of their brains is much larger than ours. They don’t need synthetic chemical fragrances in their environment either.

Common symptoms of fragrance allergy

• mild to severe headache

• sneezing, coughing and runny nose

• breathing difficulties, dizziness, and fatigue

• loss of concentration

• skin irritation, itching, and rashes

• muscle aches

• watery, red, and itchy eyes

• wheezing

• swelling

• nausea and vomiting

• Strong fragrances from perfumes or colognes can even trigger a migraine

Secondhand fragrance

In a public place people are sharing what is now being called ‘secondhand fragrance’. This is the combination of harmful chemicals being released into the public air space from air fresheners, cleaning products, scented candles, plus all the products people are wearing (hairstyling products, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, perfume etc). Everyone is involuntarily breathing contaminated air even if they choose to not wear fragranced products.

Fragrance sensitivity in the workplace

Some employers are becoming aware of this issue, and are accommodating fragrance sensitive people. Some companies have stopped using air fresheners, and use fragrance-free cleaning products in order to minimise fragrance chemicals present in an indoor environment.

By the way, Baking Soda is a brilliant odour neutraliser.

Synthetic chemical fragrance

Up to 95% of synthetic chemicals used to make fragrance recipes are derived from petrochemicals. To make matters worse for the unsuspecting public, many products labeled as ‘unscented’ are actually the fragranced product with the addition of another masking fragrance. Products with the ingredient ‘fragrance’ contain endocrine disruptors called phthalates.

If we think of natural and organic essential oils, Lavender for example, it contains a myriad of natural chemical constituents, around 100, and one of those is linalool. In the entirety of a natural and organic essential oil linalool isn’t usually a problem, however there is also synthetic chemical linalool, an isolated man-made ingredient, which is much more likely to result in a sensitivity. Precious rose essential oil has around 500 individual natural chemical components.

Green People only uses natural or organic essential oils for their fragrance. Alternatively there is SCENT-FREE Shampoo, Conditioner & Shower Gel and also SCENT-FREE products in the Organic Babies range.

Sure makes it difficult for consumers!

Do your homework, look for certifications and ethical brands that can be trusted. An ethical brand, is also transparent with their complete ingredient list, and will assist you with any ingredient questions.