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Let’s start with a simple fact: fragrance has zero benefits for the skin. Aside from making what might be an effective product feel less repulsive because of its natural smell, or making you feel like you walked out of an enchanted forest at the break of dawn soaking in the pure, dewy scent of sleepy jasmine blooms, the role of fragrance in a skincare product pretty much ends there. Some people, fortunately, only experience its sensorial effects with an unnoticeable difference to the skin on the outside. But unfortunately, for a lot of us, sooner or later it may result in an imbalance. I never really had to worry about my body’s skin condition, so an array of sweet-smelling body lotions and body washes lay abundantly on my bathroom shelf, until I started getting bouts of extreme dryness. After a consultation with my skin doctor, who even advised on going bodywash-less for a week, I was given a prescription of fragrance-free bodycare. Until then, I didn’t consider the scent in my body c ream a hindrance. Overtime, I started missing the fragranced creams I once loved less, as my skin felt more comfortable. Dr Shefali Trasi Nerurkar, consultant dermatologist at Dr Trasi Clinic and La Piel Skin Clinic attests, “People with sensitive skin, dry skin , atopic dermatitis or those who are allergic to fragrance, can develop a reaction to products with such fragrances.” Complaints of itchiness, redness, rashes and hives after applying these products are common during her consultations. Allergic reaction to fragrances can lead to called contact irritant dermatitis or contact allergic dermatitis. This means, unknownly, your trusted body moisturizer might be doing the exact opposite of why you bought it in the first place, causing changes you didn’t anticipate, like itchy kin rashes, dry, .

Are natural fragrances any better?

Fragrances in beauty products are found in two types: natural and synthetic. Natural fragrances are derived from nature. “The fragrance is extracted from flowers, plants and trees in the form of oils, resins, extracts, distillates and isolates, and are completely natural in origin,” explains Dr Nerurkar. However, extraction of these fragrances, for example, lavender essential oil, rosemary CO2 extract or thyme, is a tedious and expensive process. Synthetic fragrances, on the other hand, replicate these natural scents and are made up of chemical compounds. “They are produced in factories without disturbing the environment and freely available in the market. As a result, the products made from such fragrances tend to be cheaper,” she adds. Fragranced products contain either or, or a mix of both synthetic and natural fragrances, and while both have their pros (natural is believed to be healthier, synthetic lasts longer), they can also contain allergens and lead to allergic reactions.

Why go fragrance-free

Fragrance-free products may not smell as nice or like anything at all, but they take precedence when it comes to caring for your skin. “These products can be used on any skin type, from birth to old age,” says Dr Nerurkar. They won’t irritate your skin (unless you’re allergic to a certain ingredient on the list). Identifying a fragrance-free product is key—be vary of terms like ‘unscented’, which could mean that the product may not smell like anything, but may contain fragrance to mask or neutralize the scent of the ingredients it was made with. “A skin product which is fragrance-free must not contain any volatile fragrance ingredients, including those of the synthetic or natural variety,” adds Dr Nerurkar . She also advises checking (and avoiding) fragrances such as cinnamal, isoeugenol, limonene and linalool from the ingredient list. Picking fragrance-free body care will benefit not only those with sensitive skin, but those looking to make cleaner, gentler switches to their routine.H ere’s our edit to help you make the switch:

The Derma Co Creamy Cleanser

Derma co. creamy cleanser

Cetaphil Daily Advance Ultra Hydrating Lotion