A perfume is a blend of fragrances which are composed to form an aesthetic whole. A perfume may comprise 10 to 300 individual substances and there are approx. 2,500 different fragrances to choose from when a new fragrance is being developed.
Perfume can be found in almost all cosmetic products and is added to correct body odors, preserve or market the product.
Not only scented products such as deodorants, aftershave and lotions, but also detergents, soaps, fabric softeners, "air fresheners”, candles, sanitary towels, toys and industrial products like paints and tapping fluids contain fragrances. Fragrances can also be found frequently in natural cosmetics.
Of the 2,500 fragrances available, approx. 100 are known as allergens.
Despite the relatively few fragrances that are known allergens, these substances have been widely used in the making of perfumes for all purposes.
The presence of seven known allergenic fragrances determined by chemical analysis:
|
|
Type of product |
Number of products
|
Share with one or more of the selected fragrances
|
|
Prestige perfumes |
10 |
100 pct. |
|
Natural perfumes |
22 |
82 pct. |
|
Deodorants |
72 |
17-76 pct. |
Reference: Rastogi SC. 1996, 1998; Johansen JD. 2002
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All fragrances – even those stemming from natural sources such as essential oils, flowers or plants - can cause allergies. In fact, the leading cause of perfume allergy is natural extracts.
A person can be allergic to some fragrances and not others.
