You may have, or know of someone, who has an irritation or even an allergy to perfume. Fragrances in perfumes can be highly irritating to many of us. Those with asthma or chemical sensitivities may find strong scents particularly problematic due to the allergy-like symptoms they cause.
As we wrote in a previous post about reading labels, it’s critical to look for the words “fragrance” or “parfum” in skincare products. These words alone can stand in for over 3,000 different chemicals, none of which are required by the FDA to be listed on labels.
With more than 50 million Americans dealing with allergies, that’s a lot of people at an increased risk for fragrance sensitivity.
Some common symptoms of perfume allergy include:
- Mild to severe headache
- Skin irritation, itching, and rashes
- Sneezing, coughing, and runny nose, also called allergic rhinitis
- Breathing difficulties, dizziness, and fatigue
- Watery, red, and itchy eyes
- Wheezing
- Inability to concentrate
It is because of this that we do not use artificial fragrances and dyes. We use Certified Organic essential oils, infused botanicals, and extracts.
For those that don’t want any scent at all, our unscented versions do the trick. They are 100% scent-free, and are safe and gentle for sensitive skin. Many of our customers who have symptoms of low Magnesium use it for pain, sore muscles and fatigue. Post-workout, a good Magnesium muscle rub helps to relax and recover faster.
Essential Oil Blends
Our essential oil and extract blends are thoughtfully and carefully crafted. They offer lovely, subtle scents that are both calming and comforting. They are safe for adults and children over the age of one. The Tisserand Institute’s essential oil safety guidelines are followed, so there is no risk of phototoxicity.
Safe Cleaning Products
Cleaners are another group of products that can be highly fragranced. Green labeling and words like “natural” can be confusing for us consumers. You may have noticed this in the cleaner aisle of a store. There are many low-cost alternatives to harsh cleaning supplies that are easy to make and more healthy for your home and skin.
If you’d like to learn how to make your own cleaners, read this article from Lisa Bronner. She talks about using safe cleaners for the home, car, and dishes. We are huge fans of Sal Suds for our lab, and purchase it by the gallon. It’s effective and safe, without a strong scent. Lisa says, “Sal Suds is my cleaning superpower around the house.” Here is her Sal Suds Uses and Dilutions Cheat Sheet.
Castile soaps are also excellent for hand washing and as a body wash in the shower.
At Mineral & Co, it’s part of our mission to rely on what scientific research has shown to be true, so you can take the best possible care of your skin. That means avoiding your skin’s exposure to synthetic fragrances.