Fragrance can raise questions when choosing skincare, especially if your skin is sensitive. Why is it included? What does “Parfum” mean on an ingredient list? And does a product without added fragrance have no scent?
At Face Formula, every ingredient has a purpose. Fragrance is no exception. Here, we explain why we sometimes use it and what to consider when choosing products for your skin.
Skincare ingredients have their own scent
A product without added fragrance is not necessarily scentless. Many raw materials, including active ingredients, oils and plant extracts, have a natural smell. Some are subtle, while others can smell earthy, sharp or medicinal.
These scents are part of the formulation, but they can influence how enjoyable a product is to use.
Why we sometimes add fragrance
In some formulas, we use fragrance to soften or balance the natural smell of the ingredients. This helps make the product more pleasant to use as part of a daily routine.
Our principle is simple: we include fragrance when it serves a purpose and leave it out when it does not. The decision is made for each formula, alongside its function and intended use.
How we select our fragrances
Fragrance can be made from natural ingredients, synthetic ingredients or a combination of both. Its origin alone does not determine how well your skin will tolerate it.
The fragrances we use comply with the International Fragrance Association’s IFRA Standards. These standards restrict or prohibit certain fragrance ingredients and set conditions for their use, taking the intended product and exposure into account.
They help manage risk, but cannot guarantee that every individual will tolerate a fragrance.
What “Parfum” means on an ingredient list
“Parfum” is the collective name used to identify a fragrance composition in a cosmetic product.
Certain fragrance allergens must also be listed individually when their concentration exceeds the applicable labelling threshold. Examples include Linalool, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol and Citral. These requirements help people with known allergies identify ingredients they need to avoid.
If you see “Parfum” without separately named fragrance allergens, it does not necessarily mean those substances are entirely absent. They may be present below the relevant disclosure thresholds.
An ingredient list provides useful information, but it cannot guarantee how your skin will respond.
Can products without added fragrance contain fragrance allergens?
Yes. Some fragrance allergens occur naturally in essential oils and botanical extracts. Where applicable, they must be declared individually, even when no fragrance composition has been added.
This is why it helps to consider the full ingredient list. If you have a diagnosed allergy, knowing the specific ingredients you need to avoid is particularly important.
If you need more information about a fragrance used in our products, contact us. We can check the formulation documentation and help answer your questions.
What if your skin reacts?
Fragrance allergy is real and should be taken seriously. However, a skin reaction can have different causes, including irritation or an allergy to another ingredient. The reaction alone does not tell you which ingredient is responsible.
Stop using a product that causes a reaction. If symptoms persist or recur, a dermatologist can assess your skin and may recommend patch testing to identify a contact allergy.
Our approach: Purpose, care and transparency
For us, fragrance is a considered formulation choice. We use it when it improves the experience of a product, select it carefully and explain its role openly.
We also respect that preferences and skin needs differ. Whether you choose products with or without added fragrance, our aim is to help you make an informed decision that feels right for your skin.
