Fragrances
Fragrance is a very important element of virtually all cosmetics. It is a mood enhancer and contributes to overall self-esteem, making it more pleasurable to use and enjoy products.
Ingredients derived from nature—rose, jasmine and lavender, for example—and synthetic substances provide the wide range of fragrances offered in cosmetics products.
Fragrance ingredients are carefully assessed for safety. Skin allergy reactions are very rare but they do sometimes occur. For consumers who have sensitivities, it is important to check cosmetic labels.
All products that contain fragrances have the word “parfum” listed among the ingredients. In addition, any ingredient considered more likely to cause a reaction in a susceptible person must be declared as a separate ingredient.
This labelling method, introduced in 2005, helps consumers with a diagnosed allergy to make informed choices and supports dermatologists working to identify the source of a patient’s reaction.
Further information is available in the following documents: