Left: Sheetal Rawal, scientist (human genetics) & founder of Apsara Skin Care
By: Marty S.
When given the choice, all of us would rather smell pleasant than stink terribly. Why would anyone want to smell like dirty laundry or old garbage instead of sweet vanilla or soothing lavender? However, if you are looking for ways to get rid of these odors, whether it’s on your body or in a room, you should take a closer look at the products you use. Many products on the market (for instance, household cleaning items and skin & hair care products) might smell lovely, but they may use fake fragrance. Fake fragrance is a synthetic compound that many companies use to make their products more appealing; it is typically listed as “parfum” or “fragrance” on the list of ingredients. While fake fragrance could make things smell better, it can be too unsettling for others. For some, the smell of fake fragrance is so bad that you may actually prefer the smell of stinky garbage instead!
Not only that, but fake fragrance can also have a disastrous effect on your health. Many people experience health issues whenever they are exposed to fake fragrance for far too long. While there are many health risks associated with fake fragrance, today we would like to highlight three of them. If you haven’t gone natural with your skin & hair care products yet, you might be unaware of how many products you use that contain fake fragrance as well as the potential adverse effects. Get this information right away before you consider purchasing something based on its smell alone.
1. Fake Fragrance Can Provoke an Allergic Skin Reaction
While you may love the scent of your favorite skin care product, your skin could beg to differ if that product contains fake fragrance. Fake fragrance can disrupt the health and beauty of your skin. If fake fragrance is in any of your products, you might already be negatively affected by them without even realizing it. For some people, fake fragrance may cause a minor skin rash, while for others it may result in a lot of sneezing as well as cosmetic contact dermatitis. This is because fake fragrance has been studied to be an allergen. These reactions are a clear sign from your body that fake fragrance is not good for you and that you should steer clear of physical contact as much as possible. Many people have reported that after getting rid of products with fake fragrance, their skin has started to clear up and has looked more glowing.
“Everything that’s in there is like, it’s the good stuff. It works so well; I love it so much. Not to mention that both these products smell absolutely amazing so I am a fan...I’m addicted, I’m obsessed, and I recommend these products to everyone and everyone.”
2. Fake Fragrance Can Cause Physical Discomfort
Avoiding physical contact with products that contain fake fragrance is a great first step, but it may not be enough. While your skin may not exhibit any symptoms of an allergic reaction to fake fragrance, the rest of your body could be experiencing discomfort because of the air you breathe. Headaches, migraines, and stomachaches are common for those who are sensitive to fake fragrance because the aroma can overwhelm your senses and might be too much for your body to handle. This is especially troubling when fake fragrance is often prevalent in communal rooms, for instance, an office space or a living room. If you wake up with a splitting headache and you have to work in a room infused with fake fragrance, your day could go from bad to worse in an instant.
Of course, when you do undergo bodily aches, you may be inclined to take medications to ease the pain. However, that would only be masking the problem, not solving it directly. If you have constant pains and you feel that fake fragrance might be the cause, stop using those products and see whether or not the pain stops. Over time, you may even begin to be more attuned to your body and be able to avoid fake fragrance before it begins to impact your health.
3. Fake Fragrance Can Disrupt Your Hormones
Although the allergic reactions and pain caused by fake fragrance are distressing, both can easily be identified and subsequently handled. What’s worse is the symptoms that have no clear signs and thus may pose a risk to your health without you even knowing it. There are many chemicals used to make fake fragrance that are capable of disrupting your endocrine system and causing a hormonal imbalance, for example, phthalates and aldehydes. These chemicals can mimic certain hormones like estrogen and testosterone and might even cause a decline in reproductive health.
Even though a lot of research has been done on the adverse effect chemicals like phthalates and aldehydes have on our hormonal system, they are still a menace in many common skin care products. The reason for this is that “fragrance” or “parfum” is actually a catch-all term for a variety of chemicals that companies use to make their products smell good. Because companies don’t list what specific chemicals they use to make their fragrances (in order to protect their products and brands from counterfeits), we should not inherently trust their products because these chemicals have the potential to be very dangerous to our skin and the rest of our body. If any product you use or are interested in buying lists “fragrance” or “parfum” as an ingredient, you should be cautious. Always read the label!
The bottom line: go natural with your products, especially with your skin & hair care products. Unscented, all-natural products aren’t necessarily a bad thing, and you don’t need fake fragrance when nature is able to provide aromas that smell just as good, if not better. Natural ingredients such as rosemary essential oil, ylang-ylang essential oil, and peppermint essential oil can easily replace your need for fake fragrance, all while promoting a natural glow and a stunning, ageless look.
Are you looking for an easy, natural way to banish body odor? Here is a DIY deodorant recipe that will help you do just that. Enjoy and don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel!
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Go natural. It is good karma!
