Chemical Safe Skincare Campaign

Perfumes and aftershaves are more popular every year as Valentine gifts. Unfortunately some many leave you feeling less than amorous due to their irritancy and potential side effects.

According to the Environmental Working Group who campaign for safe chemicals in skincare and perfumes, a major loophole in the law allows fragrance manufacturers to use potentially hazardous chemicals in perfumes. Take a quick look at most skincare products and perfumes and you are bound to find a long list of ingredients which will probably contain a long list of musks, phthalates and alcohols. In less severe cases, these potent fragrances can be inhaled leading to breathing problems, and can also irritate the skin resulting in skin rashes. The EWG also highlight that many fragrances have also been linked to more severe health problems including heart problems, cancer and hormone/endocrine disruption.

In addition to the musks and phthalates found in many fragrances, alcohol makes up a huge proportion to most perfumes and aftershaves. Alcohol can dry the skin leaving skin irritated and itchy. For those with sensitive skin, alcohol should be avoided in skincare products.

So this Valentines it may be worth avoiding fragrances and choosing fragrance free skincare instead.