How To Tell If A Product Is Fragrance-Free
If you’ve got an inkling that fragrances in products that you use daily are causing issues, or if you simply want to move away from fragrances, this article is everything you need!
The thing is, identifying fragrances in products isn’t as easy as I’d like it to be.
Scented products are labelled as ‘fragrance-free’ all the time because the product hasn’t had a fragrance added to it. But that doesn’t mean that some ingredients (even natural ones) don’t have a scent.
And for those of us with sensitive skin, even these products can cause issues, like dry skin, itchy skin or in my case, eczema.
Does fragrance-free mean unscented?
Fragrance-free and unscented don't technically mean the same thing. If you've got sensitive skin understandinng this is key.
Read More about Does fragrance-free mean unscented?
Identifying Fragrance-Free products
When identifying fragrance-free products, there are a few key factors to consider. Obviously, there’s the ingredient list. Start by familiarising yourself with common fragrance ingredients. This can help you identify fragrance-free products.
Reading the Ingredients List
This first step is easy.
On the ingredients list, look for words like: “fragrance,” “parfum,” “perfume,” or “aroma.”
These words are a red flag to me, as they probably will be for you.
Put the product back on the shelf and move on to the next one.
You will find yourself picking up and replacing a lot of products. But don’t get demoralised. This is good: you quickly limit the next step to a few items at max.
If none of the words listed above are on the item, then you’ve likely found a fragrance-free product by the beauty industry’s standards.
But don’t stop there.
Fragrance-free does not mean unscented.
What you need to do next is identify if any of the ingredients might contain a scent.
This is very important for me as my skin cannot tolerate smell.
Spot common scented ingredients
Over time, you’ll get better at noticing common fragrance ingredients. This will feel like a lot, to begin with, but the more you do it, the longer your list naturally builds up.
Some common ingredients that are scented (and known allergens) include “limonene,” “linalool,” “citronellol,”, “cinnamal”, and “geraniol.” These ingredients are natural components of essential oils and are often used to add fragrance to products.
To most, they’re harmless.
To me, and maybe you, they’re not.
A brief note on natural fragrances and product labels
Ingredients in products are not always added to enhance the fragrance, but this doesn’t mean that they don’t have a smell.
Let’s take coconut, for example. It’s a smell we’re all familiar with, and it’s pretty strong and recognisable for most. Coconut is used in products, especially by brands who want to keep the ingredients list natural.
Coconut has a beautiful smell, but it’s not necessarily added to the products for that reason. It might be added for its hydration properties instead.
Consequently, products with coconut still pass as fragrance-free. It might even pass for unscented as far as products and product labelling are concerned.
Product labelling is a frustration for those with an aversion to all scents. It makes identifying a truly plain, non-scented, non-fragranced product hard to find.
This is exactly why I started this website. I share only unscented and unfragranced products.
In the U.K., product manufacturers are not forced to list every ingredient; some are trade secrets. This makes sense since I don’t suppose they want people making their exact product. Fair enough. This is one of the reasons why you see ‘parfum’ or ‘perfume’ meaning a blend of fragrances.
Additionally, in the EU, allergens only need to be listed if the concentration exceeds certain levels. It’s fine for the average person, but we’d appreciate the heads-up for sensitive skin, right?
Look, it’s not all doom and gloom!
We have one solid way of telling whether or not a product is fragranced, and that’s our nose!
Smell Testing for Fragrance-free products
In addition to reading the ingredients list, you can perform a smell test to determine whether a product is truly fragrance-free.
I will do a smell test in any store.
I’m sniffing it if I can open it without breaking a seal.
If I have to break a seal, I’ll sniff the packaging to see if it smells. Trust me, your nose gets sensitive once you enter a fully fragrance-free lifestyle. The laundry detergent aisle in the supermarket is too much for me now.
How to Detect Fragrance in Products
To test for fragrance, simply smell the products.
Fragrance-free products should have little to no scent at all.
If you detect any kind of aroma or scent, it’s likely that the product contains added fragrances and is not fragrance-free.
You may get a little hint of something, like a chemical smell; this is near impossible to avoid since the only thing that doesn’t smell at all is water. And to be fair, even water can have a subtle smell of something.
Tips for Identifying Subtle Fragrances
Remember, some fragrances may be very subtle and difficult to detect.
When you get your product home, give it a second smell test while you use it. Once lathered, a scent may become more apparent.
If you have any adverse reaction to products, it’s best to assume it’s not fragrance-free and may contain added fragrances or something that irritates you. I know I’ve been guilty of thinking something smells wrong, using it, and later regretting it.
Your body knows what’s suitable for it, and the more you embrace the fragrance-free lifestyle, the more intuitive it all becomes.
For help identifying scents in different types of products, read:
Written by: Zoe
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