Perfume, safe or not?
Did you know that wearing perfume can be as dangerous as "passive smoking".
Perfume and eau de toilette contain more chemicals than cigarette smoke. There are around 200 chemicals in every puff of a cigarette, while perfume can contain up to 3,000 different chemicals that make up a signature scent.
You may be an avid label reader like me, but that doesn't protect you from toxins because they're just not listed.
Most of companies keep formula of their fragrances in secret.
Why I don't wear perfume, and I don't recommend it to you:
Perfume and eau de toilette contain more chemicals than cigarette smoke. There are around 200 chemicals in every puff of a cigarette, while perfume can contain up to 3,000 different chemicals that make up a signature scent.
You may be an avid label reader like me, but that doesn't protect you from toxins because they're just not listed.
Most of companies keep formula of their fragrances in secret.
Why I don't wear perfume, and I don't recommend it to you:
CHEMICALS IN PERFUME MESS WITH HORMONES
Did you know? Perfume and cologne can mask pheromones which are hormones that attract one person to another.
In fact, research shows that a man's testosterone levels, which are linked with sexual interest, are significantly higher when they smell the shirt of a woman who is ovulating (1). That would not happen if there is a perfume covering this scent.
Most fragrances have ingredients that disrupt hormones. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics commissioned a study of 17 popular fragrances, each containing an average of 4 hormone-disrupting substances (including synthetic musk and diethyl phthalate) (2).
Hormonal imbalance can cause a range of symptoms - anxiety, depression and mood swings. It can exacerbate symptoms of PMS or menopause.
Hormone-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates mimic estrogen, causing hormonal dysbalance.
NB! Over 95% of shampoos, conditioners and styling products contain fragrances.
Did you know? Perfume and cologne can mask pheromones which are hormones that attract one person to another.
In fact, research shows that a man's testosterone levels, which are linked with sexual interest, are significantly higher when they smell the shirt of a woman who is ovulating (1). That would not happen if there is a perfume covering this scent.
Most fragrances have ingredients that disrupt hormones. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics commissioned a study of 17 popular fragrances, each containing an average of 4 hormone-disrupting substances (including synthetic musk and diethyl phthalate) (2).
Hormonal imbalance can cause a range of symptoms - anxiety, depression and mood swings. It can exacerbate symptoms of PMS or menopause.
Hormone-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates mimic estrogen, causing hormonal dysbalance.
NB! Over 95% of shampoos, conditioners and styling products contain fragrances.
PETROLEUM-BASED CHEMICALS
Up to 90% of fragrance ingredients are synthesized from petroleum, and some of the commonly found harmful chemicals in fragranced products include acetone, phenol, toluene, benzyl acetate, and limonene.
Even natural products can contain synthetic "flavoring" ingredients.
Personally, I avoid any product that lists "fragrance or perfume" as an ingredient, unless I'm 100% sure it's actually pure essential oils.
ENVIRONMENT
Synthetic musk ends up in sewage, drinking water, soil and indoor air. Musk also bioaccumulates in the fatty tissue of aquatic animals and moves up the food chain into salmon and shrimp.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in flavored products create the same amount of petrochemical pollution in the atmosphere as the amount of oil burned for fuel.
Up to 90% of fragrance ingredients are synthesized from petroleum, and some of the commonly found harmful chemicals in fragranced products include acetone, phenol, toluene, benzyl acetate, and limonene.
Even natural products can contain synthetic "flavoring" ingredients.
Personally, I avoid any product that lists "fragrance or perfume" as an ingredient, unless I'm 100% sure it's actually pure essential oils.
ENVIRONMENT
Synthetic musk ends up in sewage, drinking water, soil and indoor air. Musk also bioaccumulates in the fatty tissue of aquatic animals and moves up the food chain into salmon and shrimp.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in flavored products create the same amount of petrochemical pollution in the atmosphere as the amount of oil burned for fuel.
So, in conclusion:
* If you are trying to conceive, are currently pregnant or breastfeeding, and have babies around you, do not use fragrances.
* If you care about your health and the environment, do not use fragrances.
* If you LOVE your perfume, save it only for a special occasion, but then remember that you are exposing everyone else to your poisonous scent!
If you want to smell good without chemical fragrances, then organic essential oils are a great option and they smell amazing.
* If you are trying to conceive, are currently pregnant or breastfeeding, and have babies around you, do not use fragrances.
* If you care about your health and the environment, do not use fragrances.
* If you LOVE your perfume, save it only for a special occasion, but then remember that you are exposing everyone else to your poisonous scent!
If you want to smell good without chemical fragrances, then organic essential oils are a great option and they smell amazing.