Fragrance Free versus Unscented Skincare

Beauty

March 26, 2023

Author: Doré

Beauty

March 26, 2023

Fragrance Free versus Unscented Skincare

Author: Doré

All Doré products are fragrance free. But what exactly does that mean? What is fragrance? If you’ve tried our products, you know there is *some* scent to them. Let us break down the difference between Fragrance, Fragrance Free and Unscented.FragranceIf a product has “fragrance” or “parfum” listed on the ingredient list, then this is a product with fragrance. The fragrance meaning that a specific fragrance formula has been added to the product with the purpose of creating an additive smell. While an INCI (ingredient) list may only list the word fragrance or parfum, these fragrances are typically composed of multiple ingredients which will not be listed. Products that are EWG verified are required to include all fragrance ingredients on their INCI lists. Fragrance can often be sensitizing to certain skin types, so if you have sensitive skin, it’s often best to avoid fragrance in any leave-on skincare products. For rinse-off products, like cleansers, this is often less of a concern because the product isn’t sitting on the skin for a long period of time.Why do so many products contain fragrance?It’s simple - most people like their skincare to smell nice. Have you ever tried skincare in a store? The first thing you probably do is smell the product. Fragrance in skincare can be a big deciding factor in purchasing a product.Another reason is that many skincare products don’t naturally smell that great. Many fragrances are added to products to help cover up the less-than-pleasing smell of the base formula. That said, there are some formulas that may be neutral smelling, or may not have much of a smell at all.Potential side effects of fragrance in skincare.While fragrance can make a product smell more delicious or appealing, they can sometimes cause a range of side effects, especially for those with sensitive skin. Synthetic fragrances, in particular, have been known to cause skin irritation, allergic reactions and even hormonal imbalances in some cases. Here are some potential side effects of fragrance in skincare:

Skin irritation: Fragrance can irritate the skin, causing redness, itching and inflammation, especially amongst those with sensitive skin.
Allergic reactions: Fragrances are among the most common allergens and exposure to fragrance chemicals can trigger allergic reactions such as hives, swelling and difficulty breathing.
Hormonal imbalances: some fragrance chemicals can disrupt the endocrine system, which regulates hormones in the body. This can lead to hormonal imbalances which can have a range of negative health effects.
Headaches and migraines: Exposure to strong fragrances can trigger headaches and migraines in some individuals.
Respiratory problems: Fragrances can irritate the respiratory system, causing coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing.
Environmental impact: Synthetic fragrances can release volatile organic compounds into the air and water, which can have a negative impact on the environment.

UnscentedProducts that are labeled unscented generally contain ingredients to neutralize or mask the smell of any active ingredients. Oftentimes these active ingredients don’t have the most appealing fragrance when combined, so these additives will neutralize the unpleasant odor. This is what we consider unscented skincare.Fragrance FreeFragrance free skin care products have not had a fragrance or parfum added to their formulas. These products may have ingredients that have some inherent smell to them, but the ingredients are in the formula for their active properties in the formula, and not as additive fragrance. These products can be fragrant, but they do not contain fragrance. As these products do not have added fragrance, they are typically more gentle for sensitive skin. Doré products sit within this category.One thing to look out for in Fragrance Free products is the addition of essential oils as active ingredients. Essential oils can have skincare benefits and they often smell great, but they can be reactive and cause irritation.Why it’s the safe choice for skinAfter understanding the differences between fragrance free skincare and unscented skincare products, it’s clear that fragrance free is the safest choice for skin, especially if you have skin sensitivity. Fragrance can cause a range of negative side effects including skin irritation, allergic reactions, hormonal imbalances and respiratory issues. Natural fragrances may not be as harmful, especially if you’re using them on other parts of your body than your face, but even natural fragrance can cause irritation for those with skin sensitivity. Fragrance-free skincare products, do not contain added synthetic or natural fragrances, and are just have the smell of the ingredients they’re formulated with. These products are often formulated for those with sensitive skin and are prone to allergies or irritation from fragrance. They are mild, gentle and suitable for use on the face and body, and can help reduce the risk of irritation. If you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies, then fragrance-free products may be the safest choice when it comes to your skincare.

All Doré products are fragrance free. But what exactly does that mean? What is fragrance? If you’ve tried our products, you know there is *some* scent to them. Let us break down the difference between Fragrance, Fragrance Free and Unscented.FragranceIf a product has “fragrance” or “parfum” listed on the ingredient list, then this is a product with fragrance. The fragrance meaning that a specific fragrance formula has been added to the product with the purpose of creating an additive smell. While an INCI (ingredient) list may only list the word fragrance or parfum, these fragrances are typically composed of multiple ingredients which will not be listed. Products that are EWG verified are required to include all fragrance ingredients on their INCI lists. Fragrance can often be sensitizing to certain skin types, so if you have sensitive skin, it’s often best to avoid fragrance in any leave-on skincare products. For rinse-off products, like cleansers, this is often less of a concern because the product isn’t sitting on the skin for a long period of time.Why do so many products contain fragrance?It’s simple - most people like their skincare to smell nice. Have you ever tried skincare in a store? The first thing you probably do is smell the product. Fragrance in skincare can be a big deciding factor in purchasing a product.Another reason is that many skincare products don’t naturally smell that great. Many fragrances are added to products to help cover up the less-than-pleasing smell of the base formula. That said, there are some formulas that may be neutral smelling, or may not have much of a smell at all.Potential side effects of fragrance in skincare.While fragrance can make a product smell more delicious or appealing, they can sometimes cause a range of side effects, especially for those with sensitive skin. Synthetic fragrances, in particular, have been known to cause skin irritation, allergic reactions and even hormonal imbalances in some cases. Here are some potential side effects of fragrance in skincare:

Skin irritation: Fragrance can irritate the skin, causing redness, itching and inflammation, especially amongst those with sensitive skin.
Allergic reactions: Fragrances are among the most common allergens and exposure to fragrance chemicals can trigger allergic reactions such as hives, swelling and difficulty breathing.
Hormonal imbalances: some fragrance chemicals can disrupt the endocrine system, which regulates hormones in the body. This can lead to hormonal imbalances which can have a range of negative health effects.
Headaches and migraines: Exposure to strong fragrances can trigger headaches and migraines in some individuals.
Respiratory problems: Fragrances can irritate the respiratory system, causing coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing.
Environmental impact: Synthetic fragrances can release volatile organic compounds into the air and water, which can have a negative impact on the environment.

UnscentedProducts that are labeled unscented generally contain ingredients to neutralize or mask the smell of any active ingredients. Oftentimes these active ingredients don’t have the most appealing fragrance when combined, so these additives will neutralize the unpleasant odor. This is what we consider unscented skincare.Fragrance FreeFragrance free skin care products have not had a fragrance or parfum added to their formulas. These products may have ingredients that have some inherent smell to them, but the ingredients are in the formula for their active properties in the formula, and not as additive fragrance. These products can be fragrant, but they do not contain fragrance. As these products do not have added fragrance, they are typically more gentle for sensitive skin. Doré products sit within this category.One thing to look out for in Fragrance Free products is the addition of essential oils as active ingredients. Essential oils can have skincare benefits and they often smell great, but they can be reactive and cause irritation.Why it’s the safe choice for skinAfter understanding the differences between fragrance free skincare and unscented skincare products, it’s clear that fragrance free is the safest choice for skin, especially if you have skin sensitivity. Fragrance can cause a range of negative side effects including skin irritation, allergic reactions, hormonal imbalances and respiratory issues. Natural fragrances may not be as harmful, especially if you’re using them on other parts of your body than your face, but even natural fragrance can cause irritation for those with skin sensitivity. Fragrance-free skincare products, do not contain added synthetic or natural fragrances, and are just have the smell of the ingredients they’re formulated with. These products are often formulated for those with sensitive skin and are prone to allergies or irritation from fragrance. They are mild, gentle and suitable for use on the face and body, and can help reduce the risk of irritation. If you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies, then fragrance-free products may be the safest choice when it comes to your skincare.