Is It Time for a Fragrance-Free Skincare Routine?

Most of us are suckers for a heavenly-scented moisturizer or face wash. For many of us, sweet-smelling beauty products are an essential part of the skincare experience.

But, if you suffer from sensitive skin, fragranced products aren’t the best for your complexion.

If you’re not familiar with the effects of fragranced skincare products, it’s time to get schooled, and we’re here to help. Keep reading to learn all about scented beauty products and why it may be time to turn to a fragrance-free skincare routine.

How Skin Reacts to Fragrance

The way most scented ingredients give off fragrance is through a volatile natural reaction. Unfortunately, this reaction almost always leads to a sensitizing reaction on the skin. Incredibly, scents in skincare formulas are among the most common cause of sensitizing and other adverse skin reactions.

This is true for almost all skin types, not just those with redness-prone or sensitive complexions. You may be reading this thinking that fragranced products aren’t an issue for you because your skin doesn’t show any signs of irritation or aggravation of scented formulas. Unfortunately, fragranced products can still do plenty of damage.

The skin can be very good at hiding when it’s being irritated. So, while you may not notice any agitation on your face, fragranced products can be secretly affecting your skin daily. They can create minor issues in the short term and more severe problems in the long term.

Try comparing it to sun damage from not wearing sunscreen under the sun’s beaming hot rays. While you may not notice it, sun damage starts within the first minute your unprotected skin is exposed to the sun.

The damage is cumulative and potentially deadly, yet it’s separate from a sunburn or tan. You never notice or feel anything occurring on the surface of your skin. The damage is developing, but unfortunately, it won’t show up on your skin until years later until it’s too late.

For healthy, undamaged skin, choosing fragrance-free products is the way forward.

How Do You Choose Fragrance-Free Skincare?

You may be wondering how to choose fragrance-free skincare products. After all, many formula packaging is listed with obscure-sounding ingredients, and it can get confusing.

One question many beauty buffs question is whether essential oils are considered fragranced. The short answer is no, as essential oils typically consist of 100% natural substances. They don’t contain any synthetic aroma or chemicals, so they are an excellent way to enjoy completely natural, lovely scents for the fragrance lovers out there.

However, it’s possible to purchase completely scentless, essential-oil-free products too, if that’s what you prefer.

It’s also important to note that as with any formula derived from plants, it’s possible to experience skin irritation. Plus, some essential oils have been associated with hormone-related symptoms, so it’s advised that pregnant women avoid essential oils entirely.

While essential oils can be perfectly fine for the skin (and smell delicious), to be on the safe side, consider choosing products that are scentless and essential-oil free.

If some fragrance is an absolute must for you, you’ll need to do a bit of homework. Some companies are excellent at making the issue clear on their packaging or website, while you may have to dig a bit deeper for others.

Fragrance-Free Products From Skin Elite

Here at Skin Elite, we have a wide range of fragrance-free formulas from a selection of high-quality brands. While it was a pretty challenging task, we’ve chosen a few of our favorite scent-free products to give you inspiration for your new skincare routine.

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Cloud Cream Cleanser

The Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Cloud Cream Cleanser is non-stripping and fragrance-free. Use it to gently remove makeup, excess oil, and dirt and impurities, leaving the skin hydrated and moisturized with a liquid cloud of pure water vapor extracted from the atmosphere.

Sounds dreamy, right?

PCA Skin Pigment Gel HQ Free

PCA Skin’s Pigment Gel HQ Free is a fragrance-free formula that reduces dark spots and helps give you an even skin tone. Plus, the product brightens and protects the skin.

The gel is packed full of kojic and azelaic acids, along with lactic and citric acids to target different types of hyperpigmentation. As the product is free from synthetic dyes and fragrances, it works wonders for sensitive skin.

EltaMD Moisturizer Jar

The much-loved EltaMD Moisturizer Jar is a unique cream that melts quickly and spreads across the skin easily. The formula is created for night-time use so it can work its magic on your skin as you snooze.

The fragrance-free moisturizer soothes irritation, flaking, and redness resulting from medications like Retin-A, leaving you with luscious, glowing skin.