Authority source
Safety basis: FDA / EU SCCS / CIR
EU SCCS opinion, CIR assessment, FDA regulations
Fragrance
ParfumAroma
Sensory Enhancer
Fragrance is a mix of chemicals that gives products a pleasant smell. It can also be used to hide the natural smell of other ingredients.
What it is
Fragrance is a complex blend of natural and synthetic aromatic chemicals used to impart a scent or mask odors in products.
Found in
shampoos, conditioners, lotions, perfumes, soaps, detergents, cosmetics, air fresheners
The concern
The primary concern is that fragrance can contain undisclosed allergens and sensitizers that may trigger skin irritation, allergic reactions, or respiratory issues in some people.
Legal status
In the US, FDA generally allows 'fragrance' as a single ingredient on labels, while the EU requires specific fragrance allergens to be listed if above certain concentrations.
Context-dependent
The safety of fragrance is context-dependent because it can contain allergens that may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Evidence & sources
Article / explainer
Article / explainer
No highly relevant article explainer found yet.
Community questions
Community questions
Community discussions are not used as safety evidence and no highly relevant discussion is shown for this ingredient.
Related ingredient guides
Compare this ingredient with related ingredients and common alternatives.
Limonene
A common fragrance allergen often hidden under broader fragrance labeling.
Linalool
Another fragrance component often checked with fragrance sensitivity.
Citral
A fragrance allergen users often look up after seeing fragrance on labels.
Geraniol
A fragrance component commonly compared in the same sensitivity checks.
Benzyl Alcohol
Another fragrance-related ingredient commonly checked for sensitivity or allergen context.
Last updated: July 30, 2026