Let’s Talk Fragrance

A big reason that led me into making my own scented products is because I wanted to reduce the amount of chemicals that I’m using in my home and on my body. Nothing is perfect, but this way I can monitor what I’m using in a much closer capacity, and I can also offer that to my friends and family who have the same concerns. The products I buy from the store use unknown fragrances. I don’t know the origin, the ingredients, the manufacturer, or any details. I don’t like that. Not saying I don’t still buy those products, because I do, but I like to be conscious about it at least.

Once a year, the fragrance industry receives updates from the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM), the international scientific authority for the safe use of fragrance materials. These updates flag ingredients as either suspected or confirmed carcinogens, mutagens, or reproductive toxins known as CMRs. The institute then conducts further research on the suspected ingredients to determine their ultimate status and their safety level. No fragrance is completely clean or safe, despite what you may hear. They all have some chemical element to them, regardless if it’s synthetic or naturally occurring. Even the natural ones have some downsides. For example, gamma-Terpinene, a major component of essential oils made from citrus fruits, is a suspected CMR, but not yet confirmed. The research is never ending. A specific compound or ingredient that is deemed safe today could be confirmed as a carcinogen next year. There’s always that risk when we use any type of fragrance.

For these reasons, I am very selective with the suppliers I use for my fragrances, and I always do my best to get the cleanest ones possible. I will never claim that they are 100% clean, because that is impossible, but I do what I can to minimize the toxicity.

I’m always open to questions and comments, so don’t hesitate to message me. ✨