Phytotanics Wellbeing Blog
Published 24 April, 2019
Synthetic Scents = DANGER !
By K. Kuecha Aromatherapist/Skin Care Chemist
Have you ever walked into a room and noticed a particular scent that strikes your fancy or offends. Our sense of smell is one of the strongest and has the highest capacity to evoke memories and an immediate response, both physically and chemically. The point of caution is that we are surrounded by aromas that in many cases are not particularly good for the body.
Avoiding the dangers of synthetic scents
About 95% of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances are derived from petroleum. Aldehydes, Benzene derivatives Toluene and many other known toxic chemicals are linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer endocrine and nervous system disorders, as pointed out by A National Academy of Sciences. Some of the worst toxic ingredients used in air fresheners, cleaning products, candles, lotions, shampoos and more include synthetic scents, often listed on labels as "fragrance" or "parfum". The suspected compounds can trigger health issues related to weight gain, hormonal health and other diseases showing up decades later.
Thousands of ingredients can be grouped into the catch-all term "fragrance" and application of a products containing such allows the absorption of these mysterious, potentially toxic, ingredients into your bloodstream. According to the Campaign for Safer Cosmetics, hair products are particularly problematic, finding an average of 14 chemicals in more than 95% of name brand products, which were not listed on the labels, other than "fragrance". When applied to a warm damp scalp, in a hot steamy shower or bath, the potential for absorption is greatly magnified. Headache, dizziness, nausea, dermatitis, allergies and confusion are just a few of the side effects than can be caused from exposure to synthetic toxins.
High quality True 100% Pure Essential Oils are not cheap, like synthetic scents, but for good reason. It can take 1,000 pounds of flowers from a plant to produce Rose Absolute Essential Oil. With dozens of readily available Essential Oils to choose from, and when blended, produce hundreds of wonderful aromas. Why would you want to choose anything, but what Mother Nature has provided. Be sure to choose your oils from a reputable source, due to the popularity of Essential Oils in recent years there are unscrupulous businesses out trying to make a quick dollar selling inferior oils. As with many quality ingredients, you really get what you pay for, and the highest quality will benefit you in the end.
Throw away those synthetic scents, go outside and smell the fresh air, blooming flowers or budding trees. Become a savvy shopper and choose your Skin & Body Care, Laundry & Cleaning Supplies, Home & Office Scenting carefully. If you currently use synthetic scents and have skin or respiratory issues, you are likely to notice a big difference when you remove the fake fragrances from your life while hopefully decreasing your chances of chronic issues down the road.
Tips for avoiding synthetic scents:
- Clean up any source of foul odor rather than masking it with sprays.
- Try white vinegar and lemon oil for kitchen odors, vinegar and eucalyptus/mint for the bathroom.
- Do not assume "Natural" means truly natural - Read product label and avoid "parfum, phthalate, DEP, DBP or DEHP, limonene, linalool"
- Buy organic products when possible, they are less likely (but not always) to contain synthetic scents.
- Fresh cut flowers, herbs and potted plants provide fresh natural scent to your home or office and may help clean toxic compounds in the air.
- Buy fragrance-free or products scented with True Essential Oils, using caution to still read the label for other questionable ingredients.
- Burn lead-free bees wax candles and maintain fresh air intake as any form of combustion causes particulate pollution.
- If a company does not provide information on scents, it is best to avoid their products.
- Use caution when choosing pet products as well, their systems can be equally sensitive to synthetic scents.
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