Can a fragrance free product still irritate skin?

What else can cause irritation?

The rest of the formula still matters. Exfoliating acids and retinol can irritate skin, including skin that is not normally dry or sensitive. Some preservatives in lotions can burn on eczema prone skin. A cleanser can also remove too much moisture and oil, while salt or sugar scrub granules can damage the skin's protective barrier. Removing fragrance does not change what those other ingredients do.34

Your skin's condition matters too. Eczema damages the skin barrier, the protective outer layer that helps keep moisture in. Dry skin is also damaged skin. For either, choosing fragrance free products is useful, but choosing a gentle formula matters as well. If you have facial eczema alongside acne or other concerns, ask a dermatologist which treatments fit together rather than adding irritating cosmetic treatments.23

Is unscented the same as fragrance free?

No. Unscented products can contain fragrance or chemicals that hide the smell of other ingredients, and these can irritate dry, sensitive skin. Choose fragrance free rather than relying on whether a product smells of anything. That choice is especially useful for people with eczema, psoriasis or another condition that compromises the skin barrier.25

Natural products can also contain allergens, ingredients that cause allergic reactions. Check the ingredients rather than treating natural as another word for gentle. The front of the bottle is a useful starting point, not the entire interview.6

How should you try a new product?

For eczema prone skin, test every new skincare product before using it more widely, including fragrance free products.1

1. 1Apply a quarter sized amount to the skin on the inside of your arm.
2. 2Repeat daily for 7 to 10 days, stopping if your skin reacts.
3. 3If the test area remains clear after that time, start using the product.

What should you choose for dry, sensitive skin?

Choose a gentle cleanser and a fragrance free cream or ointment rather than a lotion. Creams and ointments are more effective at moisturizing dry skin. For eczema, a cream containing ceramides can help replace some of the moisture retaining substances your skin lacks. An ointment can feel greasy and rub onto clothes or sheets, so its enthusiasm for staying put has limits.23

Apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp after bathing, after washing your hands and whenever your skin feels dry. Gently pat skin dry rather than rubbing it. Keep baths and showers to 5 to 10 minutes with warm water. If your skin is excessively dry, avoid skincare containing alcohol or retinoids, and ask your dermatologist before adding an itch relief cream.2

What if a fragrance free product causes a reaction?

Stop using the product. An allergic skin reaction can produce an itchy, dry, scaly or blistering rash. After stopping the suspected product, allow a couple of weeks to see whether the skin improves; see a doctor if the rash does not go away. Tell your dermatologist if moisturizer or other products cause burning, stinging or irritation, or if dryness persists despite gentle care.256

A dermatologist can use patch testing to identify an allergy. If you have a confirmed allergy, check ingredient lists for the specific trigger, not just the fragrance free claim. For example, people allergic to oxidized limonene or linalool need to avoid those parent fragrance ingredients. Their allergy causing forms develop after exposure to air, which explains why an older opened fragranced product can cause trouble when a fresh one did not.67