The ingredient declaration "fragrance" or "parfum" is a legally protected trade secret that can conceal up to several hundred individual chemicals under a single listing. The EU requires disclosure of 26 known allergens when present above a threshold, but thousands of other fragrance chemicals — including endocrine disruptors, VOCs, and sensitisers — remain hidden.
Where it's found
Virtually all scented personal care products (shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser, deodorant, perfume, EDT, aftershave), cleaning products, laundry detergent, fabric softener, air fresheners, scented candles, reed diffusers, and many household products including bin bags.
Routes of exposure
Dermal absorption (primary for leave-on products); inhalation of volatile compounds from all scented products; indirect dermal transfer from scented laundry products in clothing and bedding.
Health concerns
The 26 EU-regulated fragrance allergens cause contact sensitisation and allergic reactions. Beyond these, fragrance mixtures commonly contain phthalates (as fixatives), synthetic musks such as Galaxolide (estrogenic, bioaccumulative), benzyl compounds, and VOCs including benzaldehyde and styrene. Sensitisation is cumulative — exposure across multiple products amplifies risk. Fragrance chemicals are a leading cause of occupational and consumer contact dermatitis.
Evidence
EU Cosmetics Regulation requires declaration of 26 specific allergens when above threshold (rinse-off: 0.01%, leave-on: 0.001%). The EU SCCS proposed expanding this list to over 80 allergens. Fragrance allergy affects an estimated 1–4% of the general population. Phthalates used as fragrance fixatives include DEHP and DBP — both reproductive toxicants regulated separately.
Who's most at risk
People with asthma or respiratory conditions, individuals with contact dermatitis or eczema, infants and young children, pregnant women (phthalate fixatives).
Regulatory status
RegulationEU: 26 allergens must be declared above threshold; review of list expansion ongoing. UK: follows pre-Brexit EU position. US FDA: fragrance considered a trade secret — no allergen disclosure required. No global standard for full fragrance transparency.
How to reduce your exposure
Choose fragrance-free products — not "unscented" (which may use masking fragrance) but specifically labelled "fragrance-free". For cleaning products, unscented versions of all major brands exist. Avoid scented fabric softeners — clothing carries fragrance chemicals against the skin continuously. Natural fragrance is not automatically safer; essential oil components include recognised allergens.
The nutrition connection
Fragrance chemicals absorbed dermally enter the same circulation that delivers nutrients from food. Phthalate fixatives — used extensively in synthetic fragrance — directly suppress testosterone production and disrupt fat metabolism, both central to Nutriofia's nutritional themes. Reducing the synthetic fragrance burden is among the highest-impact steps available to reduce overall endocrine chemical exposure.