The catch is that the terms are not used consistently: in Canada, either label can describe a product with no added fragrance or one containing a masking agent.34
What do the two labels tell you?
| Label | Usual meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Unscented | Fragrance covers the smell of other ingredients. | Do not use the lack of smell as proof that fragrance is absent. |
| Fragrance free | No ingredient is added to give the product a particular smell. | Prefer this label when avoiding fragrance, but verify the ingredient list. |
An unscented product can still irritate skin even when you cannot smell its fragrance. For eczema, the distinction matters because covered up fragrance can still trigger a flare. Choosing by smell alone misses the ingredient you are trying to avoid.12
How do you check a product?
Online descriptions can be misleading, which is inconvenient for a purchase made entirely of descriptions. Before buying, look for the ingredient list, warnings and directions rather than relying on the product name or a search result.5
- 1Start with a fragrance free label if your goal is to avoid added scent.
- 2Read the full ingredient list. "Fragrance" or "parfum" means the product contains fragrance or a masking agent.
- 3Look for individual ingredients you already know you react to. Masking agents can be listed separately, and a fragrance mixture is not necessarily broken down into every component.
- 4If the listing is missing ingredients or safe use directions, ask the seller. For questions about a particular ingredient or masking agent, contact the manufacturer using the details on the label.
Does natural fragrance count?
Natural origin does not rule out fragrance allergy. Limonene and linalool are fragrance chemicals obtained from citrus peel and from herbs, flowers and woods. Exposure to air turns them into substances that are stronger allergy triggers. Someone allergic to those substances can react to an older opened product despite tolerating a newly opened one. If that allergy has been identified, avoid the relevant ingredient and parfum.6
A manufacturer's website can make the ingredient list easier to read than the packaging, giving the back of the bottle a rare excuse for being unhelpful.6
What should you choose for sensitive skin or eczema?
For eczema, choose fragrance free skin care. For nummular eczema, which causes spots and patches, use a mild cleanser made for dry skin and a fragrance free cream or ointment rather than a lotion. Apply moisturizer to damp skin after bathing and handwashing, and again when skin feels dry.12
Fragrance is not the only possible trigger. Cleansers can also irritate through their cleansing ingredients, and preservatives or botanicals can cause contact allergy. "Hypoallergenic" does not mean a product cannot cause an allergic reaction. For eczema, test a new skin care product by applying a quarter sized amount to the inside of your arm daily for 7 to 10 days before wider use, proceeding only if the skin stays clear.237
What if a product causes a reaction?
Stop using a product that causes an allergic reaction and speak to a health care professional. A dermatologist can use patch testing to identify specific contact allergies, including allergy to the substances formed when limonene or linalool oxidise. Seek help for continuing eczema patches or unbearable itching rather than repeatedly switching between unscented products.136
Where this answer comes from
- 1Eczema types: Nummular eczema self-careaad.org
- 2Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis skin careaad.org
- 3Cosmetic advertising, labelling and ingredientscanada.ca
- 4Healthy Hair Care - Products | Region 9: Wastearchive.epa.gov
- 5Buying cosmetics onlinecanada.ca
- 6Contact allergy to hydroperoxides of limonene and linalooldermnetnz.org
- 7Soaps and cleansersdermnetnz.org
