There was a time when perfumes and fragrances were reserved for royalty. Many of the key ingredients were difficult to obtain and purify, making them exorbitantly priced and unattainable by all but society’s wealthiest. With advancements in chemistry, rare and exotic ingredients could be replicated in the laboratory, making fragrances much more affordable. Around 87% of cosmetic products list “parfum” as an ingredient, indicating the presence of fragrance1. While this is appreciated by our noses, it may not be as good for our skin.
What are fragrances?
Fragrances are composed of small, light molecules that readily evaporate into the air at room temperature, which is how we’re able to smell them. Unfortunately, these same properties also make them more likely to penetrate the skin and be absorbed. Fragrances are the leading cause of contact allergy to cosmetics1.
How fragrance can cause contact allergy and sensitisation
Small fragrance molecules easily breach the skin’s outer defences, the stratum corneum, but they’re soon caught and bound by deeper cells called keratinocytes2. The body doesn’t respond to this first attack. You’ll be blissfully ignorant that anything had happened, but the body remembers. If it decides the invaders could present a real threat in the future, information about them is relayed to the lymph nodes, which is the equivalent of handing out ‘Wanted’ posters. From there, a special task force of antibodies is assembled, ready to respond should the invaders attempt another assault. In most people, this task force carries out its mission quickly and quietly, eliminating the antigen without causing any damage. But in people that have been sensitised, the body releases histamine and other inflammatory mediators in what’s known as a hypersensitivity reaction2.
The ubiquity of fragrances
Fragrances are usually added at very low concentrations but hidden behind that single word ‘parfum’ near the end of the ingredient list could be dozens or even hundreds of fragrance components3. There are thousands of unique fragrance ingredients out there, and many of them have been identified as allergens4. The most common allergens to watch out for are5:
Cinnamal; Cinnamic alcohol; α-amyl cinnamal; Eugenol; Isoeugenol; Hydroxycitronellal; Geraniol; Evernia prunastri (oak moss); HICC; Citral; Farnesol; Coumarin; Citronellol; α-hexyl cinnamal.
Fragrances are more available than ever before, not only in perfumes and cosmetics, but in everything from air fresheners, detergents and laundry liquids to signature scents in hotel rooms. You may not be bothered by the increasing pervasiveness of perfume, and you may even enjoy it, but take note that fragrance sensitivity is on the rise6. Sensitivity to fragrance and perfumes can develop with time and increased exposure, even taking up to ten years for some allergies to develop7.
Know the difference between fragrance-free and unscented products. By choosing fragrance-free products, you can cut down the number of different chemicals your skin is exposed to throughout the day. Most of all, you are potentially limiting your chances of developing a fragrance allergy in the future.
Choose QV for a fragrance and irritation-free experience
QV range of skincare products has been embraced by many wanting soothing and gentle products for their dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin. They are free from fragrance, colour and other common irritants. Gentle and safe on skin, QV Gentle Wash contains 15% glycerin to help hydrate while cleansing and does not strip away skin’s natural protective oils. QV Cream provides skin with comfort and absorbs on the skin without leaving a sticky and greasy feeling. It its formulated with 5 moisturising ingredients to boost skin hydration by 30% in 24 hours*. QV’s Intensive Cream and Body Moisturiser is suitable for people with extremely dry and even cracked skin. They are preservatives free and does not sting on broken skin.
For the little ones, QV Baby range of products help care for, protect and moisturise baby’s delicate skin.