Understanding how your skin reacts to fragrances is key to choosing the right skincare products for sensitive skin. Here’s a quick dive into the essentials so you can feel confident and keep your skin glowing without any fuss!
A common misconception about fragrance in skincare is that it only comes from scents added to make a product smell good. In reality, a product’s scent or smell can stem from any synthetic or natural compound with an aroma. However, as an ingredient marker, the term “fragrance” is typically listed to mask added synthetic fragrances, or man-made chemicals, that can harm sensitive skin.
If a product only uses natural scents from botanicals, the ingredients are listed individually and not referred to as "fragrance" on the labeling. For example, our Daily Repair Cream has healing botanicals like green tea extract and jojoba seed oil with natural scents that won’t irritate the skin.
If you've noticed that skincare products with a strong scent cause major skin irritation, then it's likely that artificial fragrance is the culprit. Even if you don't have a diagnosed allergy to fragrances, your skin can still react negatively to certain doses of fragrance additives in a skincare product.
Here's a simple step-by-step guide to determine if synthetic fragrances are aggravating your skin:
Take note of any reactions or sensitivity when using skincare products with a strong scent. This includes:
Switch to skincare products for sensitive skin that only have natural scents from botanicals for 2 – 4 weeks, and avoid using any active ingredients during this time to allow the skin time to heal and repair. Every GlyMed product only has natural scents, so try our Mega Cream Cleanser to feel the difference.
Observe if your skin improves and becomes less irritated during this time. If it does, then it's likely that synthetic fragrance was the reason.
Knowing your skin type can help you identify potential irritants like synthetic fragrances. Sensitive skin is most prone to reactions because these ingredients tend to cause strong reactions like redness, itchiness or dryness. However, certain additives included under the “fragrance” ingredient listing will also clog pores, so even those with oily or combination skin may see negative effects.
Fragrance additives can also trigger chronic skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea or dermatitis, so it's important to be mindful of what products you buy. Use products that are tailored to your skin conditions, such as our Barrier Repair Cream with Amino Acids. This gentle moisturizer uses ceramides and lipids to prevent flare-ups by strengthening your skin barrier.
Some products list ingredients under generic terms like “perfume” or “fragrance” without disclosing specific components—making it challenging to identify synthetic fragrances. If you see either of these terms, do a patch test before using it on your entire face. You can also conduct a "sniff test." If the product has a very strong scent, it most likely contains fragrance additives.
While shopping for skincare products for sensitive skin, you've likely come across both "fragrance-free" and "unscented" options. But what's the difference?
While the phrase “unscented” seems to imply that no fragrance additives are added, these products contain additional chemicals that neutralize natural odors. These chemicals can potentially irritate sensitive skin.
This means the product has no artificial fragrances. However, it may still have a natural scent from any botanicals used in the formula. You may also see some essential oils listed as fragrances. Although they are natural, the FDA requires them to be listed this way.
If you suspect your sensitive skin gets irritated by heavy doses of fragrant compounds, look for products that only include natural botanicals to minimize the risk of triggering a reaction. Read ingredient labels carefully and do patch tests when trying new products.
With the right knowledge and attention, you can confidently navigate through skincare products for sensitive skin and find what works best for you.
For professional instruction, find your local GlyMed Pro. They'll recommend the best botanical products to achieve glowing, healthy skin.