Pick any skincare product off the shelf, open its lid and smell it. There will surely be some sort of fragrance. There are fragrances hiding in almost every skincare product you use - creams, serums, oils, body lotion and more. In fact a lot of women choose skincare products because they smell good.

Most people have a hard time accepting that fragrances are bad for the skin. But did you know fragrances are one of the most common irritants and can have a negative reaction on the skin? While they can cause a reaction on all skin types, sensitive skin is more prone to it.

 

Side effects of fragrance

Side effects of fragrance

Artificial fragrances added in skincare products are one of the leading causes of contact dermatitis. These fragrances can cause itchiness, rashes and hives. It is important to note that those with dry and sensitive skin are more prone to developing a reaction than those with oily skin type.

 

How to read the label

How to read the label

There are many ingredients mentioned on the label and you may not be able to decipher them all, but you don’t need a PhD to understand these labels. Just watch out for the following ingredients - Fragrance, Parfum/Perfume/Aroma, Linalool, Citronellol, Cinnamal, Limonene, Geraniol, Eugenol.

You should also know that fragrance-free products have smell, this is the natural fragrance of the ingredients used in the product. It indicates that no additional or artificial aroma has been added to the product. Unscented products on the other hand have no smell whatsoever; they contain chemicals that mask odours.

 

Fragrance-free products

Fragrance-free products

Instead of opting for unscented products look for fragrance-free ones that do not contain any added perfume. One of the leading skincare brands in India that has no added perfumes is Simple Skincare. With no artificial colours, harsh chemicals, alcohol and parabens, it is one of the best brands for sensitive skin.