We all remember how Grandma’s house smelled. How the cloud of her perfume enveloped us, along with her arms, in a big, tight squeeze. Fragrances embed a nostalgic memory in our minds, and there are cases in where the detection of a particular fragrance can actually trigger a memory or particular feeling.

Odds are, the same harsh ingredients that were in Grandma’s perfume, are still in use in chemical fragrances, room sprays, and the perfume you now use.

The reliance and use of fragrances from both the commercial and consumers sectors have resulted in the fragrance industry becoming a 3.5-billion-euro industry, but the success of this has also been tied to health risk and complication on the use of fragrances and synthetic chemicals for deodorization. For those who are sensitive, the exposure to these synthetic chemicals can be a detriment to their health.

What, exactly, is in that bottle of perfume?

Have you ever studied the list of ingredients in your perfume? No? This may be due to the fact that it is not required to list all chemicals used in the manufacturing of perfume. It may, therefore, be difficult to understand exactly what you do to yourself when using perfume.

People have used natural and artificial fragrances for thousands of years for cosmetics, cleaning and personal hygiene. However, only very few study the declaration on the contents of their products and, thus, most are unaware of the chemicals they subject themselves to and even fewer are aware of the effects on the body of the various chemicals.

Fragrances are the individual scented substances of which a perfume is made up. There are approximately 3,000 different substances for manufacturers to choose from.

Focus is on 26 fragrances in particular. If used in a product, these must be declared. In other words, if used by the manufacturer, the chemical name of the fragrance must be included in the list of ingredients. It is mandatory to declare these 26 fragrances, as many people are allergic to them. This is either due to the fragrances being very allergenic or because they are used often and in many products.

Below, you will find a list of the fragrances which must be declared. If a product contains a mix of fragrances which includes one or more of these substances, the product must be declared with both the substance(s) in question and the designation “perfume”, “fragrance” or “aroma”.

Other fragrances than the 26 which must be declared may be allergens. However, it is only a requirement to designate those ”perfume”, ”fragrance” or ”aroma” on the care products.

“Unfortunately, there is a tendency to choose the same fragrances and often the most allergenic. This means that if you use some products containing perfume, there is a greater risk of exposure to allergenics,” says Jeanne Duus Johansen, Centre Manager of the Knowledge Centre for Allergies (Videncenter for Allergi) at Gentofte Hospital, Denmark.

In fact, nearly all ingredients found in perfumes contain chemicals which are considered allergens or hormone-disrupting. You cannot predict who will develop perfume allergy as there is only a minor hereditary factor involved, whereas the rest is caused by environmental factors. Basically, the less contact you have with perfume in your everyday, the less the exposure. Once you have contracted perfume allergy, it will be a cumbersome, life-long companion, as you will suffer a reaction every time you come into contact with exactly those substances to which you are allergic.

General symptoms of fragrance hypersensitivity

Have you ever sprayed with an air freshener or been in contact with someone wearing a strong perfume and immediately developed a pounding headache? Or maybe you suffer from chronic migraines without any identifiable causes? An increasing number of people show signs of fragrance allergy and both short-lived and lasting headaches are some of the most worrying symptoms.

One popular fragrance called Oakmoss (originating from moss - Evernia Prunastri) is a frequently used additive in both perfume and cleaning agents which adds an earthy scent to the perfume. Many pay a hefty price for the use of this fragrance, as Oakmoss causes the most headaches amongst people with fragrance allergy. Oakmoss is not the only ingredient in fragrances which often cause headaches. Phthalates and other oil-based chemicals are also culprits.

The EU has prepared guidelines to regulate the use of some of these chemicals. However, most of the chemicals used for the production of fragrances are generally unregulated. If you develop a headache immediately after using some fragrances or suffer long-lasting headaches which you cannot explain, the culprits are likely fragrances and the chemicals used in their production.

Today, millions of Europeans suffer from fragrance allergy or are hypersensitive to perfumes and the smell of laundry detergents or softeners. When fragrances come into contact with clothes and textiles, they are very difficult to remove.