Cosmetics containing fragrance may cause adverse effects on your health as fragrance is not regulated by the FDA. When creating our lipstick, I decided not to include fragrance of any kind in our lipstick. Here’s why.

Fragrance: Not All Smells Well, Ends Well

Fragrance, otherwise known as aroma or natural flavor, is largely used to add a pleasing scent or taste to cosmetics. For example, fragrances like vanilla or orange flavoring are included in lipsticks to make them taste sweet. Fragrance is usually created by combining synthetic chemicals and it is not regulated by the FDA. That means the companies do not have to reveal what chemicals are included in their fragrances. In other words, any chemical may be hidden under the word “fragrance” on the ingredient list.

The issue when it comes to putting fragrance in lipsticks is that lipstick is easily ingested from eating, drinking, and licking the lips.

What makes Fragrance Less Safe

Some fragrances may cause “health problems such as cancer” as well as negatively affect the “reproductive” system by exposure to toxins. Other issues include allergies and skin sensitives (CFSC).

What’s more, fragrance can also contain phthalates which are linked to possible “preterm birth and impaired underdevelopment in girls (NYTimes)."

The Case Against Essential Oils: Allergies

Instead of fragrance, some cosmetics include essential oils. Essential oils are oils that have been extracted from plant leaves, fruits, stems, or roots. Depending on the method of extraction, essential oils can be a safer alternative to fragrance in cosmetics.

However, essential oils also pose a problem for those with allergies and sensitive skin.

Think about it, just because an essential oil is non-irritating for you does not mean it is like that for the next person. For example, I am allergic to lavender essential oil. As a result any organic or natural product containing lavender essential oil causes my skin to break out.

This is the reason why I decided not to include any essential oils or fragrance when making my Hello Beautiful! Lipstick. I wanted to create lipstick that everyone could use. Why have fragrance in your lipstick if you can have an unscented, sensitive skin lipstick?

Sources: A Call for Action on Toxic Chemicals

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/07/01/a-call-for-action-on-toxic-chemicals/?_r=0