If you like to know what you're putting on your face, then products with the generic term 'Fragrance/Parfum' may not be your best friend.
Ingredients under this umbrella are made up of 30 to 50 chemicals on average (but it can contain as many as 200). Amazingly, the individual elements don't need to be disclosed as they're considered to be 'trade secrets.'
Both phenoxyethanol and phthalates can be included under this term. Phthalates are often used in cosmetics because they're cheap and versatile. However, some are linked to interfering with hormone function, early puberty in girls, reduced sperm count in men, and reproductive defects.
Some brands will argue that the levels of inclusion are not high enough to cause problems, however these chemicals are often not tested for repeated/cumulative exposure (yet we apply skincare every day, and sometimes the same product both day and night for months or even years). They can also often be tested on their own, rather than being assessed in a finished formula where interactions with other ingredients can occur.
Fragrance/Parfum is also associated with allergic skin reactions. Some brands will argue that natural essential oils can also cause allergies, and yes, they can cause irritation for some, however dermal limits have to be strictly adhered to in order to legally launch a product in the EU or UK. Plus, every single oil used has to be declared on labelling, as does its potential allergen.
The inclusion of essential oils in beauty products for therapeutic or positive emotive purposes, is a transparent process whereby customers can make ‘informed’ decisions about the products they use.
To us, trust is more important than trade secrets 💚