The words 'fragrance' and 'parfum' seem innocent enough. Most of us don't give them a second thought in ingredient lists. But fragrance & parfum can be made up of a complex mix of harmful chemicals, none of which are legally required to be listed on labels.
While scent uplifts our mood, there's good reason to champion fragrance-free products for the skin, particularly to help protect our hormonal health. A 2016 report found 75% of the harmful chemicals detected in cosmetics were found in their fragrance, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).
Female reproductive disorders are increasing at an alarming rate, and a sweeping review of over 250 studies suggests EDC's are a key contributor. Here we'll focus on two EDCs - phthalates & synthetic musks, along with volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), and the impacts of going fragrance-free.