What does fragrance free actually mean?
Fragrance free generally means fragrance materials are not used specifically to give the product a scent. Some products carrying that claim can still contain fragrance ingredients used for another purpose, such as therapeutic use. Unscented means chemicals neutralise or mask the smell of other ingredients. Fragrance free and unscented mean different things, despite packaging's enthusiasm for making them look like synonyms.2
| Label | What it tells you | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Fragrance free | Generally, no fragrance materials are added specifically for scent. | Prefer this over unscented when choosing products for a child with eczema. |
| Unscented | Other ingredients' smells are neutralised or masked. | Do not use this as a substitute for fragrance free. |
| Hypoallergenic | The manufacturer has tried to avoid ingredients likely to cause contact allergy. | Do not treat this as a promise that every ingredient will suit you. |
Who benefits from avoiding fragrance?
Fragrance can cause irritation and allergic contact dermatitis, an allergic skin rash triggered by contact with a substance. Irritation can develop through repeated or excessive exposure. An allergy can appear after one exposure or after many uses, and tiny quantities can trigger a reaction in someone already sensitised. Having used a scented product before without trouble does not rule out a later allergy.2
Children with eczema have very sensitive skin, and products touching their skin can trigger a flare. Choose fragrance free products across their routine, not just their moisturiser: shampoo and cleanser matter too. A reaction to shampoo can take hours or days to appear, so a product that feels fine during washing can still be a trigger later.1
For back acne, choose gentle, fragrance free skincare alongside acne treatment. Fragrance free is not the same as oil free or noncomedogenic, meaning designed not to clog pores. Look for those separate claims when choosing skincare and cosmetics for acne. Avoid harsh antibacterial soaps, astringents and abrasive scrubs, which can worsen acne rather than help treatment.4
Does natural fragrance make a difference?
Natural does not mean free of potential allergy triggers. Botanical ingredients such as chamomile, lavender and rose oil can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Fragrance is also not the only possible problem in a cleanser: preservatives and ingredients such as lanolin can cause allergy, while the cleansing ingredients themselves can irritate. Removing fragrance addresses one possible trigger, not every reason a product could cause a reaction.3
Which products are fragrance free?
For a child with eczema, start with products carrying the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance and choose fragrance free options. The seal's product listings include moisturisers, shampoos and cleansers. Ask your child's dermatologist for specific choices, particularly if a preservative or another ingredient is a suspected trigger. Testing can identify what needs to be avoided.1
For a child's eczema routine, use these selection criteria:
- Choose a mild, fragrance free cleanser rather than a drying bar soap.
- Choose a gentle, fragrance free shampoo.
- Choose laundry detergent that is both fragrance free and dye free, including for towels and bedding.
- From six months of age, choose fragrance free sunscreen with titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide, broad spectrum protection and SPF 30 or higher. Before six months, use shade and clothing for sun protection.
In the US, the FDA does not approve cosmetic product labels before sale; proper labelling is the manufacturer's or distributor's responsibility. Cosmetic labels do not get FDA approval before sale, so the bottle's confidence is not an official signature.5
For cleaning and other household products, distinguish the ordinary EPA Safer Choice label from its Fragrance Free label. Qualifying fragrances are allowed in ordinary Safer Choice certified products. The separate Fragrance Free Safer Choice label identifies qualifying products without fragrance; the ordinary logo alone does not mean fragrance free.6
How should you use a fragrance free cleanser?
- 1Wet your skin.
- 2Apply cleanser to your hands, add warm water and work it into a lather.
- 3Massage gently rather than scrubbing.
- 4Rinse thoroughly.
- 5Pat dry gently.
Gentle cleansing can be done on waking, after exercise and at bedtime, but avoid excessive washing. Overwashing removes surface oils and increases water loss, which can leave skin dry and irritated. If you also use acne treatment that stays on the skin, an acne treatment cleanser can add to dryness and irritation. Fragrance free does not change that combination.3
What should you expect, and when should you get help?
Choosing fragrance free is a way to avoid a potential trigger, not a treatment timetable. Watch for redness, dry or cracked skin, itching or a rash after using a product. Stop using a product that appears to trigger a reaction and seek medical advice for a persistent rash, blistering or reactions that keep returning. Allergic contact dermatitis can be confirmed through clinical patch testing, and the rash can appear somewhere other than the area where fragrance touched the skin.2
Where this answer comes from
- 1How can I find eczema friendly products?aad.org
- 2Fragrances and perfumesdermnetnz.org
- 3Soaps and cleansersdermnetnz.org
- 4Back acne: How to see clearer skinaad.org
- 5Does the FDA pre-approve cosmetic product labeling?fda.gov
- 6EPA Updates Its Safer Chemical Ingredients List, Adds 27 Chemicalsepa.gov
