Synthetic Fragrances

Natural Ingredients

Synthetic Ingredients

Fragrance: a sweet or delicate odor (as of fresh flowers, pine trees, or perfume)

Synthetic fragrance is the most common ingredient found in personal care products. "Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients. Most or all of them are synthetic. Symptoms reported to the FDA have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Clinical observations by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes." (Home Safe Home, Debra Lynn Dadd). Fragrance is a known trigger of asthma. Many of the compounds in fragrance are suspected or proven carcinogens. Phthalates in perfumes are known hormone disrupters. In 1989 the US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health evaluated 2,983 fragrance chemicals for health effects. They identified 884 of them as toxic substances. The US Environmental Protection Agency found that 100% of perfumes contain toluene, which can cause liver, kidney and brain damage as well as damage to a developing fetus. Why would anyone use a synthetic fragrance? The main reason to use chemical fragrance is to make as much money as possible. Synthetic "fragrance" oils are cheap--which means big profits for corporations.

It is very important to note that there is currently no regulation of the phrases "essential oils" or "natural fragrance." Manufacturers are free to identify synthetic fragrance as an essential oil or natural fragrance, even "pure." Perhaps what may be worse news is that the FDA does not require companies to list synthetic fragrance chemicals on their labels or to disclose them when you inquire. The final insult is that the "fragrance" that is listed on the label is actually a multi-component soup of many different aroma chemicals blended together to make that product's signature scent.

amyl acetate (banana fragrance): banana oil or pear oil. Obtained from amyl alcohol used in nail finishes and nail polish removers. Mostly used in artificial fruit essence in perfume.

effects: it is a skin irritant and when exposed for more than an hour it can cause headache, fatigue, chest pain and irritation of the mucous membranse. It has been found to stimulate acetylcholine release in the nerves endings and act as a competitive messenger and plays a big part in memory functioning.

anisole: has a pleasant odor used in licorice, root beer, wintergreen and other goods. Used for perfumery as well.

effects: it was observed to inhibit semiconservative DNA synthesis and DNA repari synthisis in humans peripheral lymphocytes.

apple fragrance: also malic acid, occurs naturally in a wide variety of unripe fruit, including apples.

effects: malic acid can be irritating to the skin and cause allergic reaction.

banana fragrance: used for dry skin by organic cosmetic enthusiasts.

effects: no known adverse effects.

benzophenones 1 to 12 (rose fragrance): obtained as a white, flaky solid with a delicate, persistent, roselike odor. Used in heavy perfumes and soaps.

effects: may produce hives and contact sensitivity. Also may cause face and neck rashes when in shampoo. Toxic when injected. The CIR Expert Panel is considering new information to determine the safety of this ingredient.

bitter almond oil (benzaldehyde): benzaldehyde is artificial almond oil. It is a colorless liquid that occurs in the kernels of bitter almonds. Used in creams, lotions, perfumes, soaps, and dyes.

effects: may cause allergic reactions. It is highly toxic and the CIR Expert Panel has listed this ingredient as tip priority for review.

cinnamic acid: used in suntan lotions and perfumes. Usually isolated from woodrotting fungus.

effects: it may cause allergic skin rashes.

lilac fragrance (anisyl acetate): a colorless liquid with lilac odor used in perfumery.

effects: it can cause contact dermatitis.

methyl acetate (apple fragrance): acetic acid. A colorless liquid that occurs naturally in coffee. It has an apple odor and is used in perfume.

effects: may be irritating to the respiratory tract, and in high concentrations may be narcotic. It can cause skin problems such as chafing and cracking.

methyl salicylate (wintergreen or birch fragrance): oil of wintergreen. A counterirritant, local anesthetic, and disinfectant used in perfumes, toothpaste, tooth powder, and mouthwash. The oil is obtained by maceration and subsequent stream distillation in a species leaves.

effects: a strong irritant to the skin and mucous membrane. It can be absorbed through the skin. Toxic if ingested. It is on the Canadian Hotlist.

phenethyl alcohol (rose fragrance): used as a floral scent in rose perfumes and is a preservative in cosmetics.

effects: in some studies it was found to cause birth defects in rats.

vanillin: occurs naturally in vanilla and potato parings but when made synthetically it is from eugenol.

effects: a skin irritant that produces a burning sensation and eczema. May also cause pigmentation of the skin.

verataldehyde (vanilla fragrance): derived from petrolleum. Has an odor of vanilla beans, used in perfumery.

effects: