Scent

Fragrance

INCI: PARFUM · also Fragrance, Perfume, Aroma (for flavours)

One word on the label, many substances inside.

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C₁₀H₁₆136.23 g/mol

Limonene, one of many scent molecules a fragrance can contain

carbonhydrogen

3D shape from PubChem 22311

All products60%

In shower gels93%

In conditioners89%

In deodorants88%

8,801 of 14,784 products with a full ingredient list in Open Beauty Facts; No. 2 of all the names found on their labels.

Not one ingredient: a mix of scent substances, natural or synthetic. Labels may name the whole mix with a single word.
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Fragrance and flavor formulas are complex mixtures of many different natural and synthetic chemical ingredients[1] US Food and Drug Administration · open source
Perfume and aromatic compositions and their raw materials shall be referred to by the terms ‘parfum’ or ‘aroma’.[2] EU law · 2026 · open source

To give the product a scent, or to cover the smell of other ingredients. Even some products labelled “unscented” contain a little fragrance for that reason.
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Even some products labeled “unscented” may contain fragrance ingredients. This is because the manufacturer may add just enough fragrance to mask the unpleasant smell of other ingredients, without giving the product a noticeable scent.[1] US Food and Drug Administration · open source

Fragrance is a common cause of skin allergy. The EU estimates that 1 to 9% of its population is allergic to fragrance allergens; a study testing random adults in five countries found at least 1.9% (women about twice as often as men).
Well established3 sourcesHide

The percentage of the population allergic to fragrance allergens in the Union can be estimated to 1–9 %[3] EU law · 2023 · open source
The conservatively estimated prevalence of fragrance contact allergy was 1·9%[4] Study · 2015 · open source
The prevalence rates of contact allergy to fragrances in women are about twice those in men.[4] Study · 2015 · open source
An allergy, once acquired, lasts for life, and then much smaller amounts can set off a rash.
Well established2 sourcesHide

Contact allergy is a life-long, altered specific reactivity in the human immune system.[3] EU law · 2023 · open source
When a person has already been sensitised to an allergen, a much lower concentration of it is sufficient to trigger symptoms of an allergy.[3] EU law · 2023 · open source

It works in the product, for the smell. The allergy, when it happens, is in the skin.

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the manufacturer may add just enough fragrance to mask the unpleasant smell of other ingredients[1] US Food and Drug Administration · open source

The label may just say “parfum”, but listed fragrance allergens (limonene, linalool and others) must be named when they pass 0.001% in leave-on products or 0.01% in rinse-off products.
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Linalool 78-70-6 201-134-4 The presence of the substance must be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1)(g) when its concentration exceeds: — 0,001 % in leave-on products — 0,01 % in rinse-off products[2] EU law · 2026 · open source
A 2023 rule added a large number of fragrance allergens that must be named, with three and five years to adapt: products that don’t comply could be put on sale until 31 July 2026 and stay on shelves until 31 July 2028.
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the large number of new fragrance allergens to be individually labelled[3] EU law · 2023 · open source
the transition period should be 3 and 5 years, respectively[3] EU law · 2023 · open source
may be placed on the Union market until 31 July 2026 and made available on the Union market until 31 July 2028[3] EU law · 2023 · open source

Checked against these sources on 4 November 2026. Spot a mistake? Tell us.