Today we’re talking allllll about fragrances. Now, fragrances can be a friend or foe. But what I really want to talk about today are the ones that are foes, and exactly why we should all be aware of how many we’re letting into our homes and bodies. Click below to listen!
The Foe: Synthetic Fragrances.
Any word “fragrance” on the back label pretty much. The only ones that AREN’T a foe? Naturally derived fragrances from plants, which you can learn more about the ones I use right here. But you can pretty much assume ALL products that have the word “fragrance” on the back ingredient label, is a synthetic fragrance. A man-made one. Because did you know the word “fragrance” is a blanket word to cover over 3000 chemical names?
And why this PROBABLY applies to you?
According to a study done by Anne Steinemann, PhD., of the general population surveyed in America, 98.3% are exposed to fragranced products at least once a week, from their own use: 72.8% are freshness and deodorisers, 88.8% personal care products, 79.9% cleaning supplies, 84.1% laundry products, 77.0% household products, 70.2% fragrance, and 3% other.
What are synthetic fragrances?
Synthetic scents or “fragrance” = an unidentified mixture of ingredients including carcinogens, allergens, respiratory irritants, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxic chemicals and environmental toxicants.
Products they are in: all kids of body care and cosmetic products (deodorant, hair care, make-up, sunscreens, cologne and perfume, as well as air freshness, cleaning materials, and laundry detergents.
And the crazy thing? According to Safe Cosmetics, even products labeled as unscented may have fragrance added to mask the smell of other ingredients. And crazier? More than 95% of shampoos, conditioners, and styling products contain fragrance.
Research conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the Campaign for Sale Cosmetics found an average of 14 chemicals in 17 name brand fragrance products. But it doesn’t stop there- none of these chemicals were actually listed on the label.
Who is vulnerable? EVERYONE. But especially pregnant women, infants, and children.
Dangers of Synthetic Fragrances
The dangers of synthetic fragrances aren’t always evident, but we have the science to prove that everyone, regardless of age or health, needs to make avoiding fake fragrances a major priority.
A national Academy of Sciences points out some vital facts: about 95 percent of chemicals used in synthetic fragrances are derived from petroleum (crude oil). They include benzene derivates (carcinogenic), aldehydes, toluene and many other known toxic chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders, and allergic reactions. (1)
Some of the worst toxic ingredients used in lotions, shampoos, laundry detergents, cleaning products, and so much more include synthetic scents, often listed on labels as the elusive “fragrance.” And many on the list are known or suspected endocrine disruptors, compounds that tinker with hormonal health that can trigger weight gain and even set you up for diseases decades down the line.
Remember…. when a company puts “fragrance” on the label, don’t be tricked.
This catch-all term actually can stand for thousands of different ingredients (literally, at least 3000).
And when you use up a product containing “fragrance” or “parfum” all of those mysteries ingredients are absorbed right into your bloodstream.
Why would companies be putting this stuff into their products if they know how harmful it is? Two reasons:
- It’s cheaper
- FDA doesn’t even require fragrance and cosmetic makers to disclose exactly what they are using as scent products. They can’t even legally require companies to warn about allergens like food companies do! It’s protecting their “trade secrets.”
What are the effects on our bodies???
Here’s just a few examples of certain toxins from fragrances and where they end up affecting our bodies. Unfortunately, often they are hormone disruptors too! (Info sourced from EWG website).
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Acetaldehyde
- Potential carcinogen to humans
- Adversely affects the kidneys, nervous, and respiratory systems
-
Benzophenone
- Endocrine disruptor
-
Boric Acid and Sodium Borate
- Disrupt hormones and harm the male reproductive system
- Men working in boric-acid producing factories have a greater risk of decreased sperm count and libido
- In animals, high doses cause testicular damage in mice, rats, and dogs. Both the EU and Canada restrict these ingredients in body care products made for children under 3 years of age and require that products containing these ingredients be labeled as not appropriate for broken or damaged skin.
- No similar safety standards in place in the U.S.
-
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
- The National Toxicology Program classifies BHA as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” In animal studies, BHA produces liver damage, causes stomach cancers such as papillomas and carcinomas, and interferes with normal reproductive system development and thyroid hormone levels.
- It is found in food, food packaging, and personal care products in the U.S.
-
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
- Skin and eye irritant
-
Benzyl Salicylate
- Allergen
-
Benzyl Benzoate
- Exposure can burn and irritate the genitalia and scalp
-
Butoxtethanol
- Skin, eye, nose, and throat irritant
- Exposure can lead to:
- Blood in urine
- Vomiting/Nausea
- Long term damage to kidneys, liver, lymphoid system, nervous system, and blood cells
-
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
- Skin inflammation and itchiness trigger
- Can set off skin sensitisation, leading to even more intense irritation with each exposure
-
Chloromethane (methyl chloride)
- Causes acute and chronic effects on nervous system
- Also adversely impacts the liver, kidneys, and skin
-
Dichloromethane (methylene chloride)
- Linked to mammary gland tumors
-
Diethyl Phthalate (DEP)
- Eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritant
- Potential hormone disruptor
- Linked to nervous system damage
- Phthalates are another group of chemicals often disguised as “fragrance.” They are connected to cancer, endocrine disruption, as well as developmental and reproductive toxicity. These dangerous synthetics are already banned from cosmetics in the European Union, but are still quite common in products produced and sold in the U.S.
- Hides under the “fragrance” ingredient, but they can also appear on ingredient lists as phthalate, DEP, DBP, and DEHP
- Pregnant women should avoid nail polish containing dibutyl phthalate
-
Formaldehyde
- A potent preservative classified as a “known human carcinogen” by the International Agency on Research on Cancer
- Banned in cosmetic toiletries in Japan and Sweden
- Often mixed with other ingredients to form nitrosamines
- Some nitrosamines are possible and known carcinogens
-
“Fragrance”
- Research from EWG and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found an average of 14 chemicals in 17 name-brand fragrance products, and none of them were listed on the label. Fragrances can contain hormone disruptors and are among the top 5 allergens in the world.
- Our advice? Look for products that disclose their fragrance ingredients.
-
Oxybenzone (BP-3)
- UV filter accumulates in the blood, kidneys, and liver and may be toxic to liver cells
-
Parabens
- Widely used as preservatives in cosmetics
- According to the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Products, certain parabens (propyl-, butyl-, isopropyl-, and isobutyl-), may disrupt the endocrine system and cause reproductive and developmental disorders
- Linked to breast cancer
- Banned in Denmark in cosmetic products for children up to 3 years old.
-
Styrene
- Toxic to RBCs and to liver
- Toxic to CNS when inhaled
- Could be cancer causing
- Styrene is found in cigarette smoke and car exhaust. Doesn’t sound like it would smell too good, but shockingly, it’s actually being used in cosmetic sprays and liquids as well as cleaning products.
- The national Academy of Sciences endorsed the 2011 finding by the National Toxicology Program, a collaboration of scientists from several government agencies, that styrene is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” based on “compelling evidence.”
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Synthetic Musks
- Build up in breast milk, body fat, and newborns’ cord blood
- Linked to hormone disruption and reproductive, development and organ damage
-
Titanium Dioxide (TIO2)
- Lung and respiratory system damage
-
Triclosan and Triclocarban
- Antimicrobial ingredients in a range of personal care products, including toothpaste and deodorant
- Often found as contaminants in people due to widespread use of antimicrobial personal care and cleaning products
-
Dioxane
- Common “possibly carcinogenic to humans” by-product
SERIOUS Dangers of Synthetic Fragrances:
- Cancer
- Styrene + Phthalates
- Child Autism and Birth Defects
- Research conducted by Dr. Philip J. Landrigan of the Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center demonstrates that fatal exposure to phthalates is linked to autism, symptoms of ADHD, and neurological disorders
- A 2010 New York Times quoted Dr. Landrigan on the subject. He said that he is “increasingly confident that autism and other ailments are, in part, the result of the impact of environmental chemicals on the brain as it is being formed.” He adds, the “the crux of this is brain development. If babies are exposed in the womb or shortly after birth to chemicals that interfere with brain development, the consequences last a lifetime.” (4)
- Allergic + Toxic Bodily Reactions
- According to the EWC: Fragrances can contain hormone disruptors and are among the top 5 allergens in the world. Remember to always look for products that disclose their fragrance ingredients. (5)
- Common results of either allergic or toxic bodily reactions:
- Headaches, migraines, difficult breathing and sinus irritation, contact dermatitis
Remember that study I talked about earlier from Anne Steinmann, PhD.?? Here’s some IMPORTANT findings:
- Overall, 34 percent of the population reported one or more types of adverse health effects from expose to fragranced products.
- 12 percent reported health problems from the scent of laundry products coming from a dryer vent
- 50 percent of the population would prefer fragrance-free workplaces, health care facilities and professionals, hotels, and airplanes.
So clearly we are seeking out a better alternative. Here’s some things you can do:
- Simply start becoming more aware and reading your labels of both your current products and the products you plan to buy
- Download the ThinkDirty App and begin scanning your home to locate all the products you should begin ditching and switching out
- Swap out fragrances for Pure essential oils
- Look for products where they use pure essential oils as their fragrance
- Avoid any products that list fragrance, parfum, phthalate, DEP, DBP, or DEHP as an ingredient
- To provide a fresh, natural scent to your home or office, use fresh cut herbs and flowers and potted plants
- Buy laundry detergent that is scented with pure essential oils or that is fragrance-free
- Choose fragrance-free or unscented products. Just make sure to still read labels carefully because sometimes companies will use other questionable ingredients to create that lack of a scent.
- Begin switching your makeup over to toxic-free make-up. Did you know that the EU bans over 1000 ingredients in their makeup, while here in the US we ban less than 15?!
- Here’s the make up I use that is committed to not only staying clear of over 2500 chemical ingredients… BUT setting the bar for what clean make up should be! (It’s my one stop shop for almost everything from oils to cleanings products and more!)
Important note to leave off with:
High quality, 100 percent essential oils are not cheap like synthetic scents for good reason. Essential oils are extremely concentrated. It takes a 1000 pounds of hand-picked flowers to make some of the oils. When you find an essential oil for $2 or half the price as others… it’s probably not fully pure. These impure oils you’ll not only miss the benefits of, but could possibly be causing harm to yourself by using.
That’s why it is SO worth it because your health isn’t an expense, it’s a long term investment. Find where I get my quality essential oils and chemical free products here.
Remember…. don’t let this overwhelm you!
Let this empower you and help you begin making small changes each day and week that will create a big difference down the road. Don’t think you have to ditch and change everything over overnight… that’s stressful! And we all know what happens when we feel overwhelmed with so many “to-do’s”- we become paralysed and don’t take any action.
Start small, and if you need guidance on the first BEST step I took to begin clearing toxins out from my home and body… click here!
References:
1)http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/fragrance/#_ednref7
2) https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/fragrances-cosmetics#labeling
3) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11869-016-0442-z
4) https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/25/opinion/25kristof.html?_r=0
5) http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/top-tips-for-safer-products/
