News: Perfume chemicals stink: report

Like many women (and men as well), I give myself a spritz of perfume before I leave the house every day. I’ll admit that I just feel prettier while wearing a hint of my favourite scent du jour. Well, according to a new report, I may also be dousing myself with some not-so-pretty chemicals.

The report, released today by the Canadian group Environmental Defence and the U.S.-based group Safe Cosmetics suggests that some of the top-selling  perfumes contain chemicals  that can lead to allergic reactions and disrupt hormones’but those ingredients are not listed on the products’  labels. The groups tested 17 brand-name perfumes, colognes and body sprays, including Britney Spears’ Curious, Calvin Klein Eternity and Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce. The products were found to contain an average of 10 sensitizing chemicals that can trigger allergic reactions and an average of four chemicals that can disrupt hormones. Giorgio Armani Acua Di Gio contained a whopping 19 sensitizing chemicals (more than any other fragrance tested) while, Halle By Halle Berry was found to contain the most hormone-disrupting chemicals (seven).

Surprised? That could be because federal regulations do not require cosmetic manufacturers to include ingredients on their labels that are used in very small amounts, according to this report by the CBC. That’s why Environmental Defence is calling for stricter laws and regulations of cosmetic ingredients. On the flip side, the Canadian Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance Association’s website says "Our member companies have a long history of working with Health Canada authorities to ensure consumer safety…"

In light of this new report, would you ever consider going perfume-free?

Related:
‘ The truth about fragrance sensitivity
‘ The truth about petrolatum
‘ News: Are air-fresheners dangerous?