Ingrédient · Parfum
Parfum
A catch-all label for a mix of scent chemicals - fine for most people, but a common cause of skin irritation and allergy.
'Parfum' (or 'fragrance') on a label means a blend of scent ingredients, often dozens of chemicals, that a company doesn't have to list individually because formulas are trade secrets. Most people tolerate it fine, but it's one of the most frequent causes of cosmetic allergic reactions and contact dermatitis.
Affiché en anglais — la traduction arrive.
Why it matters
Parfum is not one substance - it's an umbrella term covering any combination of fragrance ingredients added to give a product a smell (or to mask the smell of other ingredients). It can be a single aroma chemical or a mix of 50+ compounds, including natural extracts and synthetic molecules. In the body, most of these compounds evaporate or absorb through skin without causing problems, but some are known skin sensitizers - meaning they can trigger an allergic response after repeated exposure. People with sensitive skin, eczema, asthma, or fragrance allergies are the ones who should care most; for everyone else, occasional exposure in cosmetics is generally low-risk.
Sources (3)
- 1.EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III (fragrance allergens)
- 2.SCCS Opinion on fragrance allergens in cosmetic products
- 3.CosIng database - European Commission
