Journal

Part 5: Synthetic Fragrances

The majority of skin care and cosmetics brands these days use harsh, artificial chemicals that harm not only the skin but also the entire body. Many times these harmful substances are used regardless of the health problems they cause. We must take the time to research and understand the possible implications of using these chemicals on our skin daily. In this week’s series focused on chemical-filled skin care, we will discuss the risks and problems that arise when products contain synthetic fragrances.

Synthetic fragrances are a powerful tool used in lotions, serums, soaps, cleansers, and other skin care to make products smell better. They help make them more enticing to use with refreshing scents. While natural fragrances are substances raw materials found in nature, synthetic fragrances are artificial, man-made chemicals.

According to leading dermatologists, synthetic fragrances are part of the main cause of contact dermatitis, rashes, and allergic reactions. This means that common skin conditions could actually be caused not by the product, but by the scent added to it. Allergies can also be triggered by these chemicals, leading to burning, itching, swelling, blotchiness, redness, and blisters. They can also exacerbate certain problems such as asthma.

One of the biggest problems with using synthetic fragrances in skin care and cosmetics is that there is no government agency to oversee the limits or usage of these chemicals. This makes using these artificial substances especially unregulated and dangerous. Brands can simply list synthetic fragrances as “fragrance” or “perfume” on the label, making it extremely difficult to tell what toxic substances are inside. Companies can use a combination of up to hundreds of different synthetic chemicals to create just one single fragrance.

Without the oversight to advise on the fragrances, people are using products with an abundance of these toxic synthetic fragrances. The range of these fragrances is incredibly expansive, but many of them are known carcinogens and have other risky health implications such as hormone disruption. With no government regulations, there is no safe implementation of these chemical fragrances in skin care.

For these reasons, it is of utmost importance to only use fresh, organic skin care and beauty products. No toxic chemicals, but amazing, natural scents that leave you feeling refreshed and revived. JK7® is committed to using only pure, natural ingredients that invigorate the skin without worrying about the health effects of synthetic chemicals.