Artificial scents are produced in labs using chemicals sourced from petroleum or wood pulp from the paper sector. While they are often more affordable and longer lasting than natural scents, they can lead to headaches, dizziness, and other health issues. Additionally, since they are exclusive chemical mixtures, consumers have no way of knowing what they are breathing in or applying to their skin.

Natural fragrances are derived from plants using various methods such as distillation, solvent extraction, cold-pressing, or infusions. Using natural fragrances offers numerous advantages. They are mild and gentle on the skin, capturing the true essence of the plant’s scent, and are also environmentally friendly. On the other hand, synthetic fragrances may claim to contain “natural” ingredients, but these are often only a small component of the overall fragrance blend. To ensure a truly natural scent, look for the botanical name listed in the ingredients, like lavendula angustifolia (lavender) oil. Examples of natural fragrances are lavender, citrus fruits such as lemon and tangerine, frankincense, and pine.

Artificial scents are created using chemicals that mimic natural fragrances. These chemicals are typically sourced from petroleum or wood pulp, and some have been identified as carcinogenic or endocrine disruptors. Musk, ethyl methoxycinnamate, and phthalates are among the most used synthetic fragrances. You can find synthetic fragrances in a wide range of household items, including air fresheners, scented candles, laundry detergents, and fabric softeners. They are also present in personal care products like perfumes, colognes, soaps, and shampoos. Look out for ‘parfum’ or ‘fragrance’ on labels, as even if it claims to be ‘natural oils’, it’s still synthetic unless the botanical name of the plant is specified. These terms are not closely monitored, so be cautious of misleading claims. Examples of synthetic fragrances are watermelon, peach, plum, fig, strawberry, cherry, and apricot. Only citrus fruits.

The ongoing discussion regarding the superiority of synthetic or natural fragrances has been a topic of debate for many years. Each side has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some individuals favour synthetic fragrances due to their affordability and long-lasting nature. On the other hand, some people prefer natural fragrances as they exude a luxurious scent and are believed to be safer and gentler on the skin.

1. Natural fragrances are derived from ingredients found in nature, such as essential oils and botanical extracts, while synthetic fragrances are artificially created in a lab. It’s important to be cautious with both types, as even products claiming to be natural may still contain synthetic fragrances. To be certain, check the ingredient list for the term “fragrance.” Synthetic fragrances are not necessarily bad, but there has been some bad publicity in recent years given to parabens and phthalates, which can be found in synthetic fragrances.
2. The term “fragrance” found on packaging can conceal up to 3,000 chemicals in beauty products. Although the FDA requires all beauty and personal care items to list their ingredients on the packaging, sometimes these labels can be confusing and not entirely clear. The word “fragrance” has long been safeguarded in the industry as a “trade secret,” allowing companies to keep some raw materials hidden. Instead of disclosing all ingredients, they can simply list “fragrance” or “parfum” as a general term. The International Fragrance Association has identified over 3,000 ingredients that could be used in a fragrance, meaning that any of these components could be present in your products without being revealed. Recently, major corporations have committed to disclosing fragrance ingredients over 0.01% on Smart Label websites. While this is a positive move towards transparency, it may still raise questions about the contents and purposes of the products, especially considering the extensive list of perfume raw materials used in creating a single fragrance.
3. The Environmental Working Group ranks “fragrance” as red for health and hazard risk. The Environmental Working Group scans products and their ingredients against regulatory and toxicity databases and scientific literature, and assigns a score based on allergen concern, developmental concern, and cancer concern. They score fragrance as red because of the lack of raw material transparency and because of the potential concern of parabens and phthalates.

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Hope this gives a brief insight into the difference between perfumes and fragrances.

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