Many people are aware that fragrance in body care products causes them headaches, nausea, asthma and allergies. This seemingly benign term on a product label is masking harmful ingredients called pthalates which have been linked to birth defects, lung, liver and kidney damage and cancer. Pthalates are used to dissolve other ingredients and to extend the life of fragrances. A loophole in the federal law allows manufacturers to hide potentially hazardous synthetic chemicals in product 'fragrance.'
The National Academy of Sciences suggests that fragrance chemicals should be studied for neurotoxicity. The popular fragrance Musk is a synthetic compound added to fragrance as a scent fixative. Scientific studies have shown that it has neurotoxic properties.
Synthetic Fragrance Chemicals are also added to most household cleaners and laundry products. Much of this ends up in our streams and rivers from the discharge of wastewater from sewage treatment which does not remove petro-chemical fragrance compounds.
There is an overwhelming amount of cosmetic and body care products on the market. Even more overwhelming is the task of selecting safe products. Manufacturer's labeling is often not clear and not completely forthcoming with all of their ingredients. To help protect consumers and assist us with safe product selections the Environmental Working Group along with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has developed the Skin Deep cosmetic database.
Often hand crafted skin care products are formulated with natural botanical ingredients. When essential oils are used it is for their beneficial skin properties; their scents are incidental to the formulas. This form of natural scent is harmless to most people. However, some people's systems are highly sensitive and easily overwhelmed by scent – even natural scent. In that case you should seek face care and hand and body care products in a no scent / fragrance free version.
At http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com you can research products, ingredients, companies and their brands. It is worth a look at this website to learn about the health risks associated with the ingredients that are in the products that you and your family are using.