When you see Parfum or Fragrance on a cosmetic label, you are looking not at one ingredient but at a scent mixture whose composition the manufacturer does not disclose as a trade secret. That mixture may contain dozens of different molecules.
The Parfum Label: What Is Behind It?
EU and Turkish legislation allows a fragrance blend to appear as a single Parfum entry. However, certain fragrance allergens (Linalool, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Eugenol and others) must also be listed above specific thresholds: 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products. In the EU, Regulation 2023/1545 expanded the list by adding 56 allergens, and the transition is still under way. Products placed on the market before 31 July 2026 may be sold until 31 July 2028, so both old and new labelling can appear on shelves.
When you see an allergen list at the end of a label, such as Linalool, Limonene or Citral, it indicates known allergenic molecules within the fragrance blend.
Fragrance-Free: Two Meanings
In label marketing, fragrance-free can mean two different things:
- A formula with no added scent: No fragrance ingredients have been added, although natural ingredients may have their own scent.
- A scent-masking formula: Contains a small amount of fragrance to mask the natural scent of ingredients. Masking fragrance may be present even if the label suggests the product has no fragrance.
For a sensitive profile, the wording fragrance-free is a more reliable indication than unscented.
Essential Oils: Natural, but Context Matters
Essential oils such as Lavender Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Tea Tree Oil and Citrus extracts fall under the natural label, but at high concentrations they may cause marked reactivity in sensitive profiles.
"Natural is always safer" is therefore a generalisation detached from the profile context. High levels of essential oils call for extra care when assessing a product for a sensitive profile.
Which Profiles May Prefer Fragrance-Free Products?
- Sensitive or rosacea-prone skin: A fragrance-free or low-allergen formula may be a consistent starting point.
- Atopic or eczema-prone skin: A preference for fragrance-free products generally sits within a context where clinical follow-up is advised.
- Baby care: Fragrance-free formulas are positioned as a standard choice.
- Known fragrance allergy: If you have identified allergens, reading the label's allergen list may be a safe habit.
Three Practical Reminders
- Read the allergen list. Allergenic molecules listed separately from parfum at the end of the label (Linalool, Limonene and others) help indicate profile compatibility.
- Distinguish essential oils from conventional fragrance. Being natural does not remove the need for extra care; concentration and type matter.
- Patch-test a new product. For a sensitive profile, trying a new fragranced product on a small area first may be a safe habit.
This article is for information only; it does not provide a medical diagnosis, treatment or a guarantee of safety. If you have sensitivities, are pregnant or have particular circumstances, you are advised to discuss your decisions with your own doctor.