Hi, my name is Becca, and I am a recovering perfume addict 😮 No, seriously, I used to have an ENTIRE drawer full of perfumes. I don’t even know how many Bath & Body Works body sprays and Victoria’s Secret perfumes I had, but you name the scent, and it was probably in my drawer! I would spritz myself every single day.
But then I began learning more about safer products and researching ingredients. And when I learned that “fragrance” is one of the most harmful ingredients out there, it was a hugeeeee wake-up call and a big fat ADIÓS to my stash!
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Table of Contents:
- The Problem with “Fragrance”
- How to Choose Clean Fragrances & What to Look For
- The Best Non-Toxic Perfumes & Colognes
The Problem with “Fragrance”
Have you ever been around someone who wore too much perfume, and then you got a headache? Or nauseous after browsing the cleaning aisle? 🙋 That’s because fragrances are essentially a chemical cocktail.
The term “fragrance” is just a massive catch-all term. It can be a combination of about 3,600 different chemicals that can be detrimental to our health. Many of which are derived from petroleum.
A brand is not required by law to disclose what’s in its “fragrance” either. The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1966 protects formulas as “trade secrets.” 🙄
I avoid conventional fragrances like the plague because they are linked to:
- Allergic reactions
- Endocrine disruption (can mimic hormones like estrogen and alter your hormone levels)
- Respiratory irritation
- Reproductive toxicity
- Nervous system disorders
- Dizziness, brain fog, migraines, and nausea
In addition, many fragrances contain phthalates, a class of manufactured chemicals commonly used to increase the flexibility of plastics and make smells linger for long periods of time. Phthalates are also linked to endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, and cancer.
Basically, there are many downsides to using synthetic scents. Fragrances are especially harmful to pregnant women, infants, and children because of how badly they can impact developing bodies. But I believe that everybody should avoid them; it’s estimated that 20-30% of the population has some sensitivity!
Check out the Stink! documentary, it’s really eye-opening.
“Fragrance” might also be listed on an ingredient label as one of these terms:
- Aroma
- Cologne
- Eau de parfum
- Eau de toilette
- Natural fragrance
- Parfum
- Perfume
- Musk
In addition to perfumes, synthetic fragrances are found in approximately 95% of hair care products, like shampoos, conditioners, styling sprays, and more. But it doesn’t end there! Fragrances are also used in cosmetics, skincare, baby products, cleaning products, body care, and so much more. They’re literally everywhere these days.
Now that I’ve phased out conventional perfumes, it’s CRAZY how sensitive I’ve become to fake smells! I cannot stand them anymore, and they are wayyyy too strong for me 🤢
How to Choose Clean Fragrances & What to Look For
The good news is that you don’t have to give up perfume completely!
The bad news is that once you start learning about the perfume industry, the more confusing it gets 😅 (not to mention, loads of greenwashing)
…but not to worry! I’ll keep it simple so you know exactly what to look for and what to avoid when shopping.
✅ What to Look For:
- Phthalate-free and no known endocrine disruptors
- Fully transparent disclosure of ingredients, including the fragrance components (not all brands immediately share this info on a product page, so you may need to reach out and ask!)
- Best case scenario is 100% botanically derived, natural ingredients (such as essential oils, absolutes, isolates, resins, and plant extracts). However, some synthetics are not always bad. We’ll chat about this next!
- Non-denatured base. Most fragrances use some form of alcohol as a carrier because it helps dissolve and blend the ingredients. Ideally, you want to look for organic alcohol (like sugarcane) or fractionated coconut oil to skip alcohol altogether. Watch out for denatured alcohol (aka alcohol denat) because it’s usually cut with harmful substances such as diethyl phthalate and tert-butyl alcohol. Since alcohol is highly regulated, brands denature theirs so that it’s considered undrinkable; otherwise, it’s susceptible to extra fines and taxes. Honestly, it can be challenging to find non-denatured options, so just know that it’s not the best (but not a total dealbreaker, in my opinion, if the rest of the ingredients are clean).
❌ What to Avoid:
- Phthalates and endocrine disruptors
- Undisclosed fragrance compounds—if a brand says the formula is proprietary and doesn’t tell you what’s in it, skip!
- Denatured alcohol base
- Synthetics if you prefer to stick to plant-based formulations
A Note About “Safe Synthetics” ⚠️
This is where it gets tricky! Using “safe synthetics” is pretty trendy among fragrances these days, but remember that a lot of it is just marketing! Terms like clean, safe, and non-toxic aren’t regulated, so anyone can use them without any real validity behind them.
Synthetic fragrance ingredients can be derived from petroleum and contain trace amounts of carcinogenic benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Plus, many of these ingredients lack supporting data, so do we really know if they’re safe?
However, there are instances where a synthetic ingredient has been studied and deemed safe. Or, it could be a nature-identical molecule, meaning it’s essentially a copy of a plant-derived molecule that has been made in a lab.
Overall, I’d say this is a bit of a gray area and comes down to personal preference as to what you’re comfortable using. Brands use synthetics because they’re often cheaper, stronger, longer-lasting, and offer more complexity. In certain cases, synthetic ingredients can be less allergenic than natural ones!
Again, if a brand claims to use safe synthetics, always check to ensure they share the full breakdown of ingredients so you can verify for yourself!
Related post: “Decoding Cosmetic Labels: Clean Beauty vs. Green, Natural, Vegan, & More“
My criteria scale for choosing safe fragrances:
- BEST: 100% botanically derived and a non-denatured base
- BETTER: Incorporates safe synthetics but they are disclosed and phthalate-free, or has a denatured alcohol base
- AVOID: Undisclosed ingredients, especially synthetics
A Note About EU Labeling Laws
Europe has different labeling laws regarding fragrance—they are required to list any fragrance allergens, which also include those naturally occurring in essential oils (such as linalool, limonene, etc.). Keep this in mind, as there are some instances where you’ll see “fragrance” on a label, but it could be genuinely natural and safe.
For example, Weleda is a Swiss brand, so you’ll see “parfum” on their label and the allergens from essential oils.The Best Non-Toxic Perfumes & Colognes
Now that you’re an expert 😉 let’s get to the fun part! I’ve tried a TON of perfumes over the years. It’s obviously very subjective in terms of scent, but here are some low tox, high-quality, safe brands that I love!
(PS. Natural formulations have become super sophisticated. If you’re concerned that these will smell like straight-up patchouli or a hippie, I’m here to tell you that is NOT the case. They still pack a punch, but keep in mind that they might not be AS strong as conventional perfume or linger for weeks on end…which is a good thing IMO!)
Becca’s Favorite: Good Medicine Beauty Lab Botanical Perfumes ⭐️
No synthetics • Denatured artisan alcohol base • Has mini sizes to sample • Vegan & cruelty-free • $22-82
My top recommendation is the Good Medicine Beauty Lab botanical perfumes. My personal favorite is the scent Love Letter, which has notes of magnolia, coconut, and vanilla. It smells SO good! Moon Shadow is a runner-up pick, with attars of rose, sandalwood, cinnamon, and clove bud. These perfumes have some complexity and don’t just smell like basic essential oils; they also linger for a decent amount of time!
I can totally stand behind this brand and their perfumes because they:
- Don’t use synthetics
- Handcrafted in small batches
- Use locally sourced ingredients
- Women-led, family-owned company
- Crafted from pure essential oils and attars
- Offer mini sizes so you can try before you buy a full-size
The only downside is that Good Medicine uses denatured alcohol, but it’s cut with tert-butyl (which is better than diethyl phthalate). The rollerball sizes have a sweet almond oil base, though!
Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for 20% off your purchase 🏷️
Good Medicine Beauty Lab Botanical Perfumes (mini sprays)Becca’s Runner-Up Fave: Nusa Holistick Perfumes
No synthetics • ECO-CERT fractionated coconut oil base • Vegan & cruelty-free • $35
Nusa is a Canadian brand that uses 100% natural ingredients, including pure essential oils and absolutes. No phthalates, parabens, or perfume oils! They have a unique base of MCT coconut oil, and no alcohol at all. However, just a heads up that you’ll want to rub the oil in completely to prevent staining on your clothes (it blends in quickly and is not greasy).
The scents are inspired by the tropical islands in Asia. I cannot get enough of the Teratai scent (lotus, grapefruit, honeysuckle, green tea), but Melati is also super pleasant (jasmine, frangipani, ylang ylang, tangerine). They are somewhat subtle and delicate, so you might enjoy these if you prefer something less overpowering!
Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for 10% off your purchase 🏷️
Also available here at The Detox Market (discount not applicable).
Related post: “Unscented vs. Fragrance Free vs. Essential Oil Free Skincare: What’s the Difference?“
Wyld Notes Fragrances
No synthetics • Organic non-denatured sugarcane alcohol base • Vegan & cruelty-free • Has a discovery set to sample • $120
Wyld is a splurge, but the quality is unmatched! The brand partners with regenerative farms and practices sustainable sourcing with their ingredients. They only use high-quality essential oils, natural extracts, and plant-based absolutes. On top of that, 1% of every sale is donated to their giveback program, which helps restore and protect the planet.
The fragrances are intended to be gender-neutral, but I feel that some lean more feminine, while others lean more masculine. My top pick is Sweet Decadence, which has notes of vanilla, orange zest, tonka bean, and pistachio. I also like Timeless Floral, which has hints of neroli, jasmine, and tonka. Delightful!
Since they’re pretty expensive, I recommend grabbing the Discovery Set to find your favorite scent. Plus, you’ll get a $20 credit to use towards a full-size bottle!
Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for 10% off your purchase 🏷️
Esas Fine Fragrances
No synthetics • Organic non-denatured sugarcane alcohol base • Vegan & cruelty-free • MADE SAFE® Certified • Has a discovery set to sample • $45-225
Esas was founded by two women who worked in the fragrance industry for over 25+ years, but left to create their own toxin-free company. It’s surely a luxe brand; all components are naturally derived, and many are even certified organic, which is rare!
The formulas are also designed to hydrate and nourish skin—they use coconut-derived glycerin and grape leaf extract in lieu of synthetic fillers like propylene glycol. Nice!
Based on the scents I’ve smelled, they have more of a mature, bold, spicy, sophisticated vibe. I like the Sweet Cream Vanilla and Paradise fragrances!
Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for 15% off your purchase 🏷️
Clean Cologne Brands for Men
These are mostly unisex, but appeal more to typical masculine tastes.
Jack Henry: Available in three scents. This is my husband Jon’s favorite cologne, particularly the Frequency scent (black pepper, yerba mate, vetiver), which I also wear and enjoy! The base is organic sugarcane alcohol, and the fragrances are crafted from organic essential oils, natural isolates, and single-molecule synthetics. They’re definitely strong, long-wearing, and closer to a conventional fragrance. Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount.
Abbott NYC: Jon likes Sequoia (incense, cedarwood, sandalwood), but Abbott offers many options. They use sustainably sourced ingredients, including synthetics and botanicals, and their base is denatured alcohol.
Esas: This brand has a vast men’s collection, and you can order a discovery kit! They use 100% natural ingredients (many of which are certified organic) and an organic sugarcane alcohol base. Jon likes Noble (pine, bergamot, resinous). Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount.
Wyld Notes: Impeccable quality, no synthetics, and an organic, non-denatured sugarcane alcohol base. For the guys, I suggest Rugged Wilderness (bergamot, hay, patchouli—my hubby wears this one!) or Smokey Ember (juniper, clary sage, cypress). Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount.
Related post: “30+ Natural, Organic Personal Care Products for Men (Husband Approved!)“
Other “Safer” Fragrance Brands:
Lastly, here are some brands that my readers frequently ask me about, as they’re unsure whether they’re truly clean or not! The majority of these incorporate synthetics and have a denatured alcohol base, so I consider them a “better” option, but not a “best” option. But they’re phthalate-free and disclose all ingredients, which is great!
- Dedcool
- Dime (has an organic sugarcane alcohol base 👍)
- Good Chemistry (available at Target)
- Henry Rose
- Heretic (uses nature-identical synthetics and has an organic sugarcane alcohol base 👍 these are kinda funky but I like the Dirty Hinoki scent)
- Phlur
- Rosie Jane (the perfume oils have an organic fractionated coconut oil base, but the sprays use alcohol denat)
- Skylar (their Hair & Body Mists are nice for teens and tweens)
You definitely don’t need to go and throw out perfumes like I did, but it’s soooooo important that you understand what these ingredients really mean and how they affect your health. And now, going forward, you are more informed! Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any of these, and if you have, what’s your signature scent? Thanks for reading 💚
Sources & Further Reading:
- 5 Essential Tips for Finding Truly Natural Perfumes
- Acute Toxic Effects of Fragrance Products
- Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: Fragrance
- Final Report of the Safety Assessment of Alcohol Denat
- Fragranced Consumer Products: Exposures and Effects from Emissions
- Health Risks of Chemicals in Fragrance
- Phthalates Fact Sheet
Great eye-opener – something I haven’t really thought of before but I don’t tend to really use perfume all too often anyway.
It’s shocking isn’t it! thanks for reading!
I’m, going to have to look for this brand. I have been using Pacifica perfume and would love to add other natural scents to my collection.
woohoo! they have a lot of good scents so hopefully there’s something that interests you!
Love this. Finding 100% natural perfumes is so hard. There are a lot of brands out there that claim to be “natural” or “organic” but what they mean is they either include *some* real ingredients or they avoid the worst toxins like phthalates and parabens. Actually, in case this is helpful for anyone, this year I opened a store online dedicated to solving exactly this problem. We carry exclusively 100% natural perfumes from some of the finest natural perfumeries around the world (at potionnaturals.com). I started this so people like my mom with chronic illnesses could still enjoy beautiful, luxury perfumes without feeling sick. The feedback has been amazing so far, and it’s so exciting to see natural perfumery become more popular. Here’s to hoping more people learn about it and make the switch!
You have mentioned the perfect problems with “fragrance”. And that too in a very simple language. And this line: ” These chemicals absorb right into your bloodstream.” I didn’t knew it. I thought it is only affecting respiratory system. Thanks for this new information.
Is Henry Rose safe?
Hi! I think so – they use phthalate-free safer synthetics. So it’s not really natural but at least they disclose what each ingredient is.
Hey Becca! This is great information. Oakcha says their fragrances have ditched many of the hormone disruptors. Do you know anything about them? They make a Baccarat 540 knock off that’s oil based. And it smells so good…whatcha think?
I’m not too familiar with that brand. I would suggest you see if they disclose what’s exactly in the “fragrance” even though they say phthalate-free. I also see that they use benzyl benzoate which I would avoid if I can!
Found out my Wife is allergic to cinnamon & I know it’s a common Ingredient used in Perfumes & Colognes. Do these contain cinnamon?
Hi Jerry, I’m not sure. I’d suggest contacting the brand for the exact perfume/cologne you’re interested in!
Are European women perfumes safe to use like from Greece or Türkiye
Europe is generally better about their ingredients, but I would still check to see if the full list is disclosed and what they contain!