Let's Talk Fragrances - And Why I Don't Use Them

Hannah
Mar 5
3 min read

If you’ve ever picked up one of my products, you might notice something different — they don’t all carry a strong fragrance. That’s intentional.

At Raw Beauty Apothecary, my goal is to create products that are mindfully developed, carefully tested, and thoughtfully sold. For me, thoughtful development looks like this:

Scouring aromatherapy books to understand the benefits (and risks) of essential oils
Researching every oil I use in soap making — ensuring they create a hard, cleansing bar while being low in inflammatory compounds
Sourcing from reputable yet affordable suppliers
Testing natural colourants to find safe, stable options
Thoroughly testing every product before it reaches you

Just because something sounds natural doesn’t mean it’s safe or thoughtfully made. Greenwashing is rampant — and it’s exactly why I started this business.

What Do I Mean By “Fragrance”?

When I talk about fragrance (specifically synthetic fragrance), I’m talking about much more than just a scent. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), "fragrance" can cover a blend of up to 3,500 chemicals — and none of them have to be individually disclosed.

Even so-called “natural fragrances” can still contain synthetic components. The fragrance industry is unregulated, which means brands can use vague or misleading terms without much oversight.

Why does this matter? Because research shows that exposure to synthetic fragrances has been linked to:

Headaches
Asthma attacks and breathing difficulties
Cardiovascular issues
Neurological problems

These findings come from a 2023 review published in the Journal of Xenobiotics, which examined how synthetic fragrances in personal care and household products impact indoor air quality and human health (Rádis-Baptista, 2023).

And this is not limited to soaps. According to an article from the New Indian Express, candles, room sprays and perfumes have sparked concerns over their effect on hormone disruption and the effect on the reproductive system (think irregular periods, Endometriosis, PCOS and for men potentially lower sperm count).

What About “Clean” Fragrance?

Even products labelled “clean,” “natural,” or “phthalate-free” aren’t automatically safe. Fragrance mixtures — even the “clean” ones — can still contain:

Respiratory irritants
Solvents
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

These compounds can trigger headaches, dizziness, and other symptoms, especially in sensitive individuals (A Review of the Evidence from Environmental Research, 2019). And again, it is difficult to determine what ingredients are used because it is an unregulated industry.

Are Essential Oils the Solution?

Not always. Essential oils are natural, but they aren’t a size fits all solution. Some essential oils are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they interfere with hormone function. Wintergreen, for example, can affect someone negatively if they are taking blood thinning medication. Others, like sandalwood and rose, come with sustainability concerns due to overharvesting (it takes a lot of plant to make a small amount of essential oil). There are also many companies who sell essential oils, without any background information about where they are from - or the quality. Some organisations charged exuberant prices claiming "therapeutic grade" when that term is unregulated and used to mean many things.

It’s Time for a Mindset Shift

I believe we need to rethink our obsession with scented products. "Clean” doesn’t have to mean "smells like roses.”

True clean means using ingredients that gently cleanse and nourish your skin — without overloading your body with unnecessary chemicals or synthetic compounds.

Every maker has their own philosophy when it comes to formulating products — and that’s okay. For me, after diving into the research and learning about the potential risks, I’ve chosen to take a very cautious approach with fragrance in my products. My goal is to make sure my customers can trust that every ingredient is thoughtfully chosen with both skin health and long-term well-being in mind.

Hannah Owner and Maker of Raw Beauty Apothecary

References

Rádis-Baptista G. (2023). Do Synthetic Fragrances in Personal Care and Household Products Impact Indoor Air Quality and Pose Health Risks? Journal of Xenobiotics, 13(1), 121-131. https://doi.org/10.3390/jox13010010

Trasande L., Nelson M.E., Alshawabkeh A., et al. (2024). Prenatal Phthalate Exposure and Adverse Birth Outcomes in the USA: A Prospective Analysis of Births and Estimates of Attributable Burden and Costs. The Lancet Planetary Health, 8(2), e74-e85. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(23)00270-X

"Experts Warn Common Perfumes and Room Fresheners Could Harm Fertility, Offer Safer Alternatives." The New Indian Express, 22 Jan. 2025, https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2025/Jan/22/experts-warn-common-perfumes-and-room-fresheners-could-harm-fertility-offer-safer-alternatives.