Why Do People Avoid Synthetic Fragrance?

It's mostly about transparency and sensitivity — here's why people avoid synthetic fragrance.
By Better Human Goods
1 min read

"Fragrance" or "parfum" on a label can legally stand in for a mix of many individual scent ingredients that aren't listed by name. People who prefer to avoid synthetic fragrance dislike that opacity — you can't see exactly what's in it — and some find heavy synthetic scent irritating to skin or airways. That's the honest reason it's a common thing to avoid, framed as preference and transparency, not a blanket health claim.

If you want to steer clear, look for "fragrance-free" (different from "unscented," which can mean masking scents were added) or products scented only with named essential oils. Reducing synthetic fragrance across laundry, cleaning, and personal care is one of the easier clean-living swaps. None of this means fragrance is universally dangerous — it's about transparency and personal sensitivity. If you have real reactions, a professional can help identify triggers. More in our free-from standard.

Explore the BHG standard.