Is fragrance free the same as unscented?

What is the difference on the label?

A fragrance free moisturizer can have a noticeable smell without containing added perfume. An unscented moisturizer can smell of very little while still containing fragrance. Smell alone therefore cannot tell you which one avoids added fragrance. The two labels answer different questions, which is a lot of administrative work for the front of a moisturizer.12

In the United States, these terms have no specific FDA regulations governing their use, although cosmetic labels must be truthful and not misleading. Also check products marketed for therapeutic purposes: a fragrance free claim can refer to the absence of ingredients added for scent while fragrant ingredients serve another purpose. If you have a known fragrance allergy, read the ingredients rather than relying on the front label alone.123

Which should you choose for sensitive skin?

Choose fragrance free if you want to avoid fragrance, especially if you have eczema, psoriasis or a fragrance sensitivity. Fragrance can irritate skin, worsen dryness and aggravate conditions that weaken the skin barrier, the outer layer that helps protect your skin. Masking a fragrance's smell does not remove its ability to irritate skin.45

Most people can tolerate some fragrance, so using a scented product does not automatically mean you will react. But irritation and allergy are different problems. Irritation can follow repeated or excessive exposure; allergy is an immune reaction in someone who has become sensitized to a fragrance chemical. Tiny amounts can trigger an allergic reaction.346

How to check a product before buying

1. 1Look for fragrance free rather than unscented when avoiding fragrance is your priority.
2. 2Read the ingredient list. In the United States, fragrance ingredients can appear individually or under the single word "fragrance," so the label need not name every component of the mixture.
3. 3Check any ingredients you already know you react to. Botanical, herbal and natural ingredients can also include fragrance ingredients.
4. 4Ask the manufacturer if the ingredient list leaves you unsure about a fragrance or a known allergen.

Natural and synthetic fragrances can both cause allergy. Essential oils are plant derived, but that origin does not make them a substitute for avoiding a known fragrance allergen. "Natural" describes an ingredient's origin, not a character reference.26

Does the choice change if you have eczema?

For nummular eczema, which causes spots and patches, choose a fragrance free, hypoallergenic cream or ointment rather than a lotion. Apply it to damp skin after bathing and handwashing, and moisturize dry skin during the day. For dyshidrotic eczema, use mild, fragrance free cleansers and a fragrance free cream or ointment after washing and whenever skin feels dry. These are specific eczema care choices, not a reason everyone must replace lotion with ointment.57

What if your skin reacts anyway?

Stop using a product that causes a reaction. Fragrance allergy can cause an itchy, scaly rash, burning, stinging or swelling, with symptoms appearing hours to days after exposure. See a dermatologist if symptoms do not resolve or you cannot identify the trigger. A dermatologist can use patch testing to investigate allergy. Fragrance free addresses fragrance, not every possible trigger in a formula; the label has one job, not the entire department.246