Why Dermatologists Recommend Fragrance-Free Skincare Products

The benefits of fragrance-free skincare are often targeted towards those with sensitivity issues. Although sensitive skin affects around 71% of Americans, ditching the scent isn’t something that’s solely reserved for those with current skin challenges.

The dirty truth behind fragranced skin care products

The word “fragrance” brings to mind the scent of apple blossom, a field of lavander, or a freshly mown lawn. In other words, the glory of Mother Nature. But when it comes to fragranced skincare products, nothing could be further from the truth.

This is because all skin care fragrances are chemical in nature, with a scent potentially created using multiple compounds. They’re also commonly used to cover up the less-than-pleasant stenches of other ingredients in the mix…

While some may be less worrisome than others, it’s almost impossible to know exactly what’s gone into creating that tempting scent. That’s because skin care companies have absolutely no legal obligation to add this to their packaging or blurb. (Yep, an FDA loophole says that although ingredients must be listed, the components of a fragrance are considered a trade secret and, as such, don’t need to be declared).

Pretty shocking, huh! And while fragrances can be either natural or synthetic in origin, even though synthetic ones are produced in a laboratory and natural is derived from plants, both can have negative effects on the skin—sensitive or otherwise.

Dermatologists will tell you that fragranced products can directly cause or exacerbate skin and other health issues, such as:

• Allergies.
• Irritation.
• Breakouts.
• Contact dermatitis.
• Acne.
• Eczema.
• Rosacea.
• Sunlight sensitivity.
• Dryness and/or itching.
• Headaches.
• Eye irritation.
• Coughing.
• Asthma.

That’s a long list—and it’s certainly not exhaustive…

Fragrances in products mess with the skin’s essential protective barrier. This is true for everyone and can potentially lead to future problems, even in those blessed with zero skin sensitivities. This is why fragrance-free will always underpin the basis of all dermatologist-approved products.

Sensitive skin tips from the experts

The constant use of chemicals on the skin builds up over time. Rather like sun damage, this often isn’t immediately obvious. But the negative response that they cause can have a significant effect on the rate at which the skin ages, accelerating fine lines, wrinkles, and all those other signs of aging that we all fight so hard to prevent.

Reducing or eliminating the level of chemicals on the skin is vital to help hold back the years, as well as being an important step to improve skin condition and help target any existing or future unwanted issues.

Dermatologists want you to:

• Use fragrance-free products: This includes makeup, shower gels, soaps, deodorants, shaving products, and hair care items, as well as the more obvious cleansers, toners, and moisturizers.
• Know the difference between fragrance-free and unscented: The former means that the product doesn’t contain any fragrance materials, either natural or synthetic. The latter only means that the product doesn’t have an obvious smell. However, they may (and probably do) have fragrance chemicals added to neutralize unwanted odors of other components. In short, fragrance-free is better than unscented, period!
• Realize that natural doesn’t mean less irritating: Many a person has experienced a bad skin or health reaction to, for example, essential oils. Plenty of these are known to cause issues, especially in those prone to contact dermatitis. That soothing-sounding ylang-ylang or lavender may well be the culprit behind your skin problems…
• Use daily sun protection: High factor, fragrance-free, and without fail…
• Not experiment: Yes, it can be tempting to give that gorgeous-smelling new product a try. But when you’ve gone to a huge amount of effort to find fragrance-free cosmetics that work (and may well have been recommended by your skin doctor), then why would you risk undoing all that good work? As the saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it...”

Fragrance-free skin skincare benefits also include environmental advantages. Reduced chemical use is good for air quality, reduces water contamination (the natural world will thank you), and are often produced by companies with more of an eye on sustainability. 

Soothing pre-existing skin conditions, lowering the potential risk of future problems, slowing the aging process, and a positive effect on the planet? That’s a pretty strong case for switching to fragrance-free.

Oh, and not to mention how happy your dermatologist will be….  

Want our personal recommendations for dermatologist-approved products and the benefits of fragrance-free skincare? Visit https://www.bayoucitydermatology.com/ today and call to book a consultation.