Picture the Impact of fragrance on Eczema

The number one cause of adverse skin reactions to cosmetics and laundry products is fragrance. The skin reactions to fragrance chemicals can produce rashes, hives, dermatitis, or eczema.
Other symptoms can include watery eyes, nausea, sore throat, cough, and chest tightness.

Some fragrance materials, studies have shown, are absorbed by the skin and then broken down into materials that are stronger sensitizers than the original chemicals.

Confusion with Terms Used Products with labels that contain the words fragrance free or unscented do not guarantee they do not contain fragrance chemicals, they imply that they have no perceptible odor. A product labeled "unscented" may contain a masking fragrance. If fragrance is added to a product to mask or cover up the odor of other ingredients, it is not required to be put on the label.

A product must be marked "without perfume" to indicate no fragrance has been added. Even in this instance, it is best to read the label to look for plant extracts that are potential perfume sensitizers and cross-reactors.

Fragrance Skin Sensitizers A screening agent, called fragrance mix is used to pinpoint the cause of a large percentage of skin allergies. This fragrance mix contains eight known skin sensitizers. Most fragrances contain several of these known irritants.

[Alpha]-amyl cinnamic aldehyde is found in perfumes, cosmetics, soaps, industrial products, and toothpaste.
Cinnamic alcohol is found in perfumed cosmetic products, deodorant, paper, laundry products, food flavoring, and toothpaste.
Cinnamic aldehyde, is found in toothpaste, bath oils, hair cosmetics, lipsticks, mouth washes, soaps, detergents, food flavoring, vermouths, bitters, and chewing gum. Studies have shown that cinnamic aldehyde binds with proteins in the skin to cause allergic reactions.
Eugenol is used in colognes, toilet waters, tonics, dressings, hair cosmetics, periodontal packing, dental impression material, aftershave, perfumes, hair cream, inhalants, antiseptics, and toothpaste.
Geraniol is used in perfumes, fragrance, lip salve, facial make up, and skin care products.
Hydroxycitronellal is used in perfumes and cosmetic products, fragrance, eye cream, and aftershave.
Isoeugenol, a clove scent, is used in perfumery and as fragrance in eye cosmetics and aftershaves.
Oak moss is found in perfumes, colognes, aftershaves, and scented products for men.