The skin is our largest organ, and our face is one of its most sensitive areas. So, why is conventional makeup full of potentially harmful, mysterious ingredients? Let's dive into the secretive world of fragrances.
What's in a Word?
Hormone-disruptors, phthalates, VOCs, allergens, and even potential carcinogens are legally allowed to hide under a benign-sounding label: fragrance (or parfum). The term is used as a catch-all for the often complex mixtures used to scent a product. These mixtures can include both synthetic and natural components and, similar to secret seasoning recipes, each fragrance is considered to be a unique proprietary blend that does not have to be disclosed in full.
Why the lack of transparency? If a perfumer or beauty brand discloses every component of their proprietary blend, competitors are easily able to copy their work, making it that much harder to stand out from the crowd. While companies benefit from this legal protection of their signature scent, consumers are left to pay the price in the dark.
The Recipe for a Good Advertisement
Our sense of smell creates powerful memories and positive associations that keep us hooked on our favorite routines. Customers will return over and over to a beautifully scented product. Who doesn't want to smell nice and experience the scents they enjoy? But when we take into account the long-term cost of constant exposure to fragrance-concoctions, we have to ask ourselves: does fragrance really need to be in everything?
While body washes, shampoos, and spritzes are often doubling as our signature scents, when was the last time you heard someone fall in love with a lipstick or an eye shadow palette over how it smells? Yet, the majority of cosmetics being released include some kind of fragrance.
Phthalates
One of the most concerning and common components of fragrance blends is a group of synthetic chemicals known as Phthalates.
Often used to help scents linger longer on the skin, phthalates have raised alarm due to potential effects on the endocrine system. Researchers have investigated links between phthalate exposure and hormone disruption, reproductive health concerns, effects on fetal development, and changes in estrogen and testosterone signaling.
Is there a safe level of exposure? Regulatory agencies continue to debate this, but consumers are left guessing. Because phthalates do not have to be disclosed as components of a fragrance blend, any product that lists "fragrance" or "parfum" in its ingredients may contain these chemicals unless the company labels their product as being phthalate-free.
Scents Upon Scents
According to current cosmetic regulations, fragrance blends are permitted for use unless they are shown to pose a demonstrated safety concern. But what about the long-term, compound exposure to irritating chemicals, low-dose allergens, and endocrine disruptors? How could the impact be studied? When mystery components are layered on top of one another in every aspect of our daily beauty routine, our bodies effectively become guinea pigs.
For some, continuous exposure to fragrance chemicals and synthetic compounds may manifest as contact dermatitis, eczema flare-ups, hormonal imbalances, irregular periods, migraines, and various low-grade allergic reactions. Our collective skin and endocrine system is telling us something!
So how can we clean up our routines and give our bodies a chance to reset? The modern world doesn't make it easy. Just about every personal care product in the average bathroom has a long ingredients list that contains a scent.
Examples of personal care products that typically contain fragrance:
-
Foundation
-
Lipstick
-
Shampoo
- Toothpaste
-
Soap
-
Body Wash
-
Primer
-
Toner
-
Facial Washes & Scrubs
-
Makeup Remover
-
Moisturizer
-
Shaving Cream
-
Infant & Baby Care Products
Our Mission: Clean, Beautiful, Fragrance-Free Cosmetics
We are committed to rising above the haze of conventional makeup. In a world of cosmetics that consider transparency to be optional, our goal is to offer truly clean switches that look as beautiful as they feel. When you browse through Urban Farm Cosmetics, you don't have to stress over ingredient lists! Every blend is crafted with the health of your skin and hormones in mind.