Are Fragrances harmful ?

What a sweet scent !? We all love to stop at the Fragrance store in the mall. But these Fragrances are the famous allergens in the Western Countries because of their usage. Fragrance ingredients can cause itchy, scaly skin, painful skin allergies, create cold and sneezing, worsen asthma,. Not just artificial, synthetic fragrance ingredients, even high concentrations of natural oils from citrus peel, lavender, tea tree etc, can cause harmful side effects. 1 in 50 People suffer from immune system damage from synthetic fragrances and from endocrine system damage due to a high volume of phthalates- industrial chemicals used to make synthetic musks, these may damage the ecosystems, according to Greenpeace research.

It is best to choose natural fragrances. When you buy these, without synthetic ingredients, you also support farmers and people harvesting these plant-based ingredients. The environment is definitely not touched as the harmful industrial wastes are reduced.

Shopping Tips:

Read carefully the ingredient list on every bottle or container of personal products you are opting to buy...be it a hair oil, a body lotion, a baby cream or even a soap...every item carries FRAGRANCE.lipsticks and lipbalms also have this culprits hidden.

Not every company reveals all the contents, then look for words like 'Free from Sulphates, SLS, Phthalates, Parabens, Petrochemicals, Animalproducts, Propylene glycol, Synthetic or Artificial Fragrance....just the word fragrance in the contents list hides numerous harmful chemicals. Choose FRAGRANCE FREE products whenever possible.

USDA ORGANIC, NSF/ ANSI 305 'contains organic' and NPA Natural Certifications as these prohibit usage of synthetic scents.

Following websites of Natural Perfumers Guild such as NaturalPerfumers.com and of NGOs working for better health and environment such as EWG.org will guide one to avoid the toxic products and live a healthy and happy life.

- Prathyusha