How to identify and avoid fragrance in skincare
Fragrance is one of the most common causes of contact dermatitis and skin sensitivity. This guide covers how to identify fragrance ingredients, what to look for on labels, and which products are truly fragrance-free.
Common questions
- What are common fragrance ingredients to look for on labels?
- Fragrance-related ingredients include: parfum, fragrance, linalool, limonene, citronellol, eugenol, geraniol, benzyl alcohol, and essential oils like lavender oil, rose oil, and citrus extracts.
- Can fragrance cause skin reactions?
- Yes. Fragrance is one of the leading causes of allergic contact dermatitis. The EU requires labeling of 26 known fragrance allergens above threshold concentrations.
Ingredients in this guide
Butylphenyl methylpropional
Critical concernCritical concern based on regulatory listings.
Limonene, (+)-
High concernHigh concern based on regulatory listings.
Linalool
High concernHigh concern based on regulatory listings.
Geraniol
High concernHigh concern based on regulatory listings.
Eugenol
High concernHigh concern based on regulatory listings.
Coumarin
High concernHigh concern based on regulatory listings.
Fragrance
Not assessedIn the catalog, but no published hazard evidence yet.
Explore this topic
Other safety guides