http://www.care2.com/greenliving/good-scents-natural-perfume.html
Good Scents: Natural Perfumes
By Melissa Breyer, Producer, Care2 Green Living
Perfume must be the most ironic of gifts: Perfect pretty little bottles with perfect pretty little names, filled with sweet smelling petrochemicals. Did you know that 95 percent of the chemicals used in perfume are derived from petroleum, many of them quite toxic? Ick. This year give a gift that triggers delight, not rashes and asthma. Read on for more about the synthetic ingredients commonly used in perfumes and see our picks for all-natural alternatives.
You’d think that perfume would be made from what it smells like. A scent redolent of lilies must be made from lilies, right? Wrong. Modern perfumes are almost always made from synthetic fragrances that are most commonly synthesized from petroleum distillates.
In the late 19th century the first synthetic fragrance was created (from coal-tar) in a laboratory. Not only did this greatly expand the perfumer’s repertory of scents to work with, but it also democratized the availability of perfume by making it so much cheaper to produce. Very costly raw natural materials (like ambergris, musk and rare botanicals) that had been used to create luxury perfumes were now simply whipped up in the lab using dredged waste byproducts of the industrial revolution. It also allowed for the creation of scents that perfumers were unable to capture before–such as the smell of lilac and lily.
The science of fragrance is really rather mind-boggling. That petrochemicals can be manipulated into rapturous scent is an illusion worthy of Houdini. But magic aside, a 1991 study performed by the EPA found that numerous potentially hazardous chemicals are commonly used in fragrance, including acetone, benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, camphor, ethanol, ethyl acetate, limonene, linalool, and methylene chloride. According to Material Data Safety Sheets, when inhaled these chemicals can cause central nervous system disorders, dizziness, nausea, slurred speech, drowsiness, irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, and lungs, kidney damage, headache, respiratory failure, ataxia, and fatigue, among other things.
Another study found two groups of hazardous or potentially hazardous chemicals commonly used in perfumes: phthalates and synthetic musks. Since perfumes are applied to the skin, repeated exposure of relatively concentrated doses may contribute substantially to our overall exposure to these chemicals. And because of the high-volume use of these chemicals, they have become widely distributed through both the natural and the urban environment-endangering natural ecosytems while also further increasing our exposure to them.
The FDA does little to regulate the cosmetics industry, and “fragrance” is considered a trade secret and thus ingredient disclosure is not required. Only a handful of ingredients are banned and personal care products and cosmetics do not require approval or testing before hitting the shelves. Even so, according to the FDA fragrances are responsible for 30 percent of all allergic reactions. Many point to perfume as a very high-risk cosmetic product for those who suffer from asthma. And we always thought that perfume was supposed to make us feel good.
The good news is that there is an alternative–good old perfume made from natural materials. Tada! You won’t find herbs, grasses, flowers and spice on any EPA lists. Not only are natural perfume ingredients more in harmony with the body, but they are, well, natural.
One of the leading pioneers in contemporary all-natural perfume is Mandy Aftel. In her fascinating book Essence and Alchemy: A Natural History of Perfume she describes natural essences as “compressed vitality” and notes, “We are bombarded by department store perfumes that shout their presence and linger monotonously and pervasively on the body and in the air, but the true magic of perfume eludes us. We have lost touch with what drew our kind to the smell of flowers and herbs in the first place, and with the rich and tangled history of our species and theirs.”
Natural Perfumes
Aftelier Perfumes: Stunning all natural perfumes from one of the most respected perfumers in the industry, Mandy Aftel.
Tsi-La Organics: This line of products are crafted in artisan size batches using only the world’s finest essential oils, active plant botanicals, rich exotic butters and organic ingredients.
Black Pearl Botanicals: Specializes in the art of crafting skin safe, healthy, gentle, radiant perfumes.
Homemade Perfume Formulas
Solstice Blend Bath and Body Blend
Essential Oils and DIY Supplies
White Lotus Aromatics
The Essential Oil Company
Sunrose Aromatic
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40 comments
add your comment »I got some sample perfumes from Alexa Naturals and I love them. Especially the fung Shui since they are made from very exotic essential oils & attars
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Alexa Naturals has just come out with all natural Fung shui perfume oil and aftershave.
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Great blog, very informative and an eye opener for many.
Ruth
http://www.whitewitch.ie
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Nice article, I am a big fan of perfumes and also essential oils i dedicated a web site to all fans of essential oils and aromatherapy, you can visit for more information here
Essential oils & Aromatherapy
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I have been buying sticks of roll on oils for years. My favorites are Sandalwood/Amber, Frankinsence, Myrrh and Opium! I find them at Whole Foods.
Recently I decided to try out a non natural perfume from MAC Cosmetics. I had ran out of my roll on and couldn't find a good replacement as I was in Israel. So I bought the perfume in a temporary moment of insanity and convinced myself it kinda smelled like Amber.
I began to spray it on my wrist and neck to the skin everyday and began experiencing pain in my ovaries, urinary tract and stomach area and noticed my pee was a different color. I tried to think of what I was doing different lately and the only thing I could think of was the perfume!
I stopped it and I have started feeling better! I believe it was the perfume. I still use it sometimes, but I only spray it on my clothes, not my skin! It hasn't bothered me since.
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be wary of "wellness" companies... just do your research before you commit to anything (as with anything). I was shocked and disappointed when I learned that a "Wellness" company I was involved with actually tested on animals as well as most of their products were full of parabens... and that's far from my opinion of "Wellness". Now I buy only products from companies that fully disclose information regarding their company.
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I am glad to see all of this interest in the products we use and how they are affecting our health. I am a 45 year old wife and mother. I found out at least 10 years ago that my family was having trouble with the chemicals and strong scents in products of all kinds. I have found that we are a lot healthier and I'm sure we are benefiting from the wiser choices we are making.
I am now a distributor for a company that has safe and effective products.
If anyone is interested in converting their whole house or know someone who would be interested:
www.ineways.com/toxinfreefamilies
I am going to look into these perfumes as I enjoy perfume and so does my teenage daughter.:)
Have a great day!
God Bless
Pamela
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After doing some research myself for my company, God's Country Botanicals, I too found that most perfumes are actually toxic. Scientists predict that cancer will soon overtake heart disease as the leading cause of death in the US. Why? Because of all the cheap toxins we use every day. Save your life - go natural wherever you can. www.GodsCountryBotanicals.com can help. We have several all-natural colognes and perfumes for men and women. And yes, Caralien, my Foehn cologne does have hints of baby powder! Thanks for a great, eye-opening article!
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I have a collection of Tsi-La Organics, I absolutely love their perfumes. This brand is the real deal, no synthetics. I happen to know the formulators and they are very particular in using only pure and natural ingredients.
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COOL
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