Fragrance in Skincare: Do You Need to Avoid It?

It feels like every few months, a new ingredient gets labeled as “bad” for your skin — and fragrance is often at the top of that list. But here’s the thing: not all fragrance is created equal, and it might not be as simple as “avoid it altogether.”

Let’s break down what “fragrance” really means in skincare, when it’s actually a problem, and when it might not be.

what is “fragrance” in skincare?

When you see the word fragrance on a skincare label, it’s referring to any mixture of scented ingredients—natural or synthetic—used to create a scent or mask the odor of other ingredients. It can include essential oils, botanical extracts, or lab-created aroma compounds.

I do just want to state that contrary to what you’ve probably heard, the term synthetic doesn’t automatically mean unsafe. Truthfully, synthetic fragrances are often more stable, more consistent, and less likely to cause irritation than natural essential oils.

Why Brands Add Fragrance

If you’re anything like me, I am usually searching for the why behind things. So, why do brands make the decision to add fragrance.  There’s a few reasons this might be the case (I’’ll briefly list each one)!

• Masking odors: Some skincare ingredients (like sulfur, niacinamide, or certain peptides) naturally smell…unpleasant (to say it nicely). A little fragrance is just going to make the formula more wearable.

• Experience: This one is also pretty self explanatory, but for most of us, skincare/beauty is a form of self care. Considering scent can play a big role in how we perceive skincare,  a subtle, calming fragrance can really add to the appeal of the product. 

• Dedication: Hand in hand with the last point, one is more likely to stick to a skincare routine that feels (and smells) enjoyable to use.

Is Fragrance Bad for the Skin?

Alright, let’s get to the real juice and before I say anything else, I want to acknowledge that this is where nuance really matters.

Fragrance can cause irritation — but that depends on the individual and the formula. For example, as someone who is incredibly sensitive and has rosacea, fragrance free makes the most sense for me (this is also the case if you have eczema). But for most people, fragrance is perfectly fine in moderation though.

I should also emphasize that “safety depends on dose.” Even the most “irritating” ingredients can be used safely at low concentrations. The same goes for fragrance — it’s the amount and formulation context that matter, not simply whether it’s listed on the label.

What’s super frustrating is apps that rate products poorly simply for containing “fragrance” often miss this nuance (Dr. Michelle Wong and I talked about this a lot when she was a guest on the pod). They flag ingredients based on presence, not concentration, and don’t account for how ingredients interact in a real formula.

Synthetic vs. Natural Fragrance

Here’s a myth worth busting: on the topic of fragrances in skincare, natural doesn’t automatically mean better.

Essential oils like lavender, citrus, and tea tree may sound gentle, but they’re some of the most common causes of fragrance-related contact dermatitis. On the other hand, synthetic fragrance molecules are created under controlled conditions, designed to be consistent and stable.

If you’ve reacted poorly to products with essential oils, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to avoid all fragrance — it may just mean your skin prefers the synthetic kind.

When to Avoid Fragrance

I know I touched on this already, but I wanted to go into a little more detail on the times when going fragrance-free is absolutely the right move. 

You might consider skipping fragrance if:

• You have active eczema, rosacea, or highly reactive skin.

• You’re using potent actives like retinoids or exfoliating acids that increase sensitivity.

• You’re applying products directly after treatments (microneedling, peels, lasers, etc.).

• And of course, if you’ve ever had a true allergic reaction (redness, burning, or itching shortly after application), it’s best to steer clear and consult a dermatologist or PA for patch testing.

Ok let’s wrap this up by saying fragrance in skincare isn’t black and white — it’s personal. If your skin tolerates it, there’s no reason to fear a lightly fragranced formula, especially if it enhances your daily routine. But if your skin is reactive or inflamed, fragrance-free might be what makes the most sense for you!

More than anything, I wanted this blog to highlight how easy and quickly certain products and routines are demonized. So groups of people assume they’re all bad all the time, but don’t even know why! This is your gentle reminder to make sure to do your own research and recognize that everyone's skin is different, so there are no blanket rules (except SPF, everybody should be using spf daily lol).

xx Amy

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