Fragrance Free is the Way to Be!

Originally designed for medical professionals to apply on patients with the worst case scenario skin conditions, Oxygenetix is used post-procedure to conceal burns, eczema, psoriasis and other extreme conditions alike. Therefore, all Oxygenetix products are hypoallergenic with safe, clean ingredients. This is also why Oxygenetix is fragrance-free.

Fragrance Defined

Ranging from a light note to a heavy scent most skincare products contain toxic synthetic fragrances which can further exacerbate sensitive skin. 

Fragrances are a combination of natural and synthetic compounds that give products their distinct scent. The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) lists 3,059 materials in the IFRA Transparency List “of all fragrance ingredients used in consumer goods by the fragrance industry’s customers worldwide.” Visit their website HERE for the full IFRA Transparency List. Some of the materials on this list have evidence of causing reproductive harm, cancer, allergic reactions, and sensitivities. 

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), inhalation or skin/eye contact with Butoxyethanol, a fragrance listed on the IFRA Transparency List, can cause “irritation in the eyes, skin, nose, throat; hemolysis, hematuria (blood in the urine); central nervous system depression, headache; vomiting.”

Furthermore, “fragrance is usually the predominant cause of irritation and also the most common source of allergens” added Oxygenetix Chief Chemist Dr. Raymond Schep.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, “FDA does not have the same legal authority to require allergen labeling for cosmetics as for food.” In translation, this allows for cosmetics a broad range of fragrance uses which may or may not be safe for the skin.

For those looking for a natural or holistic approach using essential oils, be keenly aware some essential oils contain toxic chemicals. Choose organic pure essential oils from reputable companies. Oxygenetix Chemist, Dr. Schep, explains that using essential oils in a formulation would be the best choice, but they aren’t very stable and tend to lose their fragrance within a few months. 

How to Go Fragrance-Free

The FDA requires companies to list all ingredients on packaging, however under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA) companies do not have to disclose “trade secrets”. Therefore, companies can umbrella their complex combinations of chemical ingredients for scent under the word “fragrance”.

Check the labels of every product you bring into your home. Some keywords to look for are “fragrance”, “parfum”, “perfume”, and “aroma”. If a company uses these words they are most likely using harmful chemicals. Additionally, if the label says “unscented”, it is not necessarily fragrance-free. Watch for words like “natural scent” and “natural fragrance” as these terms are also not regulated.

There are more companies than ever before choosing to create non-toxic formulations. Oxygenetix is proud to be part of this movement towards safe cosmetics and healthy homes!

Sources:

CDC

IFRA

FDA

NCBI