Fragrance: one word, a thousand ingredients.
On the label we find it indicated with a generic word: parfum.
Simple, elegant.
Behind that word, however, dozens of molecules are hidden, often difficult to recognize and even more difficult to avoid.
Some of these molecules are harmless.
Others, however, are known to be powerful allergens, substances capable of causing skin reactions.
And high doses aren’t needed: just repeat their use, day after day, to sensitize even the most resistant skin.
Natural Doesn’t Always Mean Safe
There’s a widespread belief that “natural is better.” But reality is more nuanced.
Many essential oils and natural fragrances contain highly allergenic compounds. Lavender, limonene, citronella: all plant ingredients, but also all present on the allergen list.
Paradoxically, some synthetic fragrances can be safer, because they’re specifically created to not contain allergens.
It’s therefore not a matter of natural vs synthetic, but of conscious choice and targeted formulation.
So are Synthetic Fragrances Better?
Here too the answer isn’t simple. Synthetic fragrances earned a bad reputation in the past also because they often contained problematic ingredients like preservatives and phthalates.
And “clean” fragrances?
They’re not always allergen-free. There’s no universal definition of “clean,” so it’s up to each manufacturer to define what they mean by that term.
Usually, it means the fragrances don’t contain parabens or phthalates. But, once again, a product can be paraben-free and phthalate-free and still contain allergens.
The New European Regulation: more Clarity, Finally
Until now, only 26 allergens had to be declared on the label. But from 2026, Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 will extend the obligation to a full 82 substances.
This isn’t a technical detail. It’s a signal. Finally, even at the regulatory level, it’s recognized that the problem isn’t how much a product smells, but how it makes it smell.
We’ve learned to live with the idea that fragrance should “make a statement.” That it should be intense, persistent, “memorable.” But we’ve never really asked ourselves what it costs us, in terms of skin, health and sustainability.
Nooda’s Choice
We decided to take it one step further.
We don’t just limit ourselves to excluding some allergens: we’ve eliminated them all. All 82!
In none of our products will you find traces of these potentially harmful substances.
Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. It’s a choice that reflects Nooda’s nature, for respect of our skin, the environment and transparency.
Read the full article here: Allergens in cosmetics: why we decided to eliminate them all, every single one!
