If a spritz of perfume feels like confidence in a bottle, you’re not alone. But that lingering trail isn’t just “scent”—it’s a cloud of volatile chemicals your lungs, skin, and brain also interact with. For most people, occasional use is fine. For sensitive groups (children, pregnant women, people with asthma, migraine, eczema), fragranced products can quietly chip away at health and indoor air quality.

This guide unpacks what’s really inside perfumes, how exposure affects the body, where regulations stand, and how to stay safe—without giving up everything that smells nice.

What’s in a “fragrance,” really?

“Fragrance” is a legal umbrella term that can contain dozens to hundreds of ingredients—natural (essential oils, absolutes) and synthetic (aroma chemicals, solvents, fixatives). Many are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) designed to evaporate into the air so others can smell them; that same property makes them part of indoor air pollution. Short-term exposure to VOCs can cause eye/throat irritation and headaches; higher or chronic exposure is linked with effects on the liver, kidney, and nervous system.

Fast reactions many people notice (and why)

1) Headaches & migraine flares

Fragrances are a well-studied trigger. Population studies and surveys report a substantial share of people—especially migraineurs—develop headaches, nausea, or dizziness on exposure to scented products; prevalence is far higher among those with migraine or asthma. Cutting exposure reduces events.

2) Asthma symptoms & breathing trouble

Among people with asthma, fragranced products commonly precipitate chest tightness, wheeze, and attacks; in one study, 64% of asthmatics reported health effects from fragranced products, including ~28% reporting migraines and ~28% reporting asthma attacks.

3) Skin reactions: contact dermatitis (including “natural” terpenes)

Fragrance allergy is one of the most frequent causes of allergic contact dermatitis. Notably, popular terpenes like linalool and limonene can oxidize on air exposure to form hydroperoxides—potent sensitizers implicated in positive patch tests and real-world rashes.

Longer-term concerns under the microscope

Endocrine disruption from certain fragrance-related chemicals

Some phthalates (used historically as solvents/fixatives in fragranced products) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) associated with reproductive and developmental effects; many jurisdictions restrict several phthalates. (Note: not every fragrance contains phthalates, and use patterns have shifted, but exposure is still possible through multiple consumer goods.)

Indoor air chemistry you can’t see

Fragrance VOCs (especially terpenes) react with indoor ozone to create secondary pollutants—ultrafine particles and aldehydes that can penetrate deep into lungs. New work shows flame-free scented wax melts (popular “safe” alternatives) can generate nanoparticle levels comparable to diesel/gas appliances when terpenes react with ozone—an illustration of the chemistry any strong scent can kick off in small, poorly ventilated rooms.

“Unscented” ≠ “fragrance-free” (labeling that matters)

• Fragrance-free: no fragrance materials or masking scents were added.
• Unscented: may include masking fragrances to neutralize a product’s odor (not suitable for highly sensitive users).

This isn’t semantics—people with eczema, allergic dermatitis, asthma, or migraine should look for fragrance-free, not “unscented.”

What the rules say (and what they don’t)

• EU/UK: Labels must now list a greatly expanded set of identified fragrance allergens individually when they exceed low thresholds (0.001% in leave-on, 0.01% in rinse-off). Expect more allergen names on ingredient lists.
• IFRA Standards: The fragrance industry’s safety code limits concentrations of many ingredients based on toxicology and exposure modeling (QRA). This helps reduce risk but doesn’t guarantee zero reactions, especially in sensitive people.
• India: Cosmetics labeling and ingredient standards are overseen by CDSCO/BIS frameworks (e.g., IS 4707 series). Ingredient listings are required, but “fragrance” can still mask mixtures unless specific allergens are mandated by jurisdictional rules for the product type. (Practical tip: choose brands that voluntarily disclose full fragrance breakdowns or avoid added fragrance for sensitive users.)

Who should be extra cautious?

• People with asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, migraine, pregnancy, infants/children at home, and those working in close quarters (salons, offices, cars). Consider fragrance-free routines and scent-free zones at home and work.

Safe-use checklist (Nellikka’s practical playbook)

At home

• Prefer fragrance-free over “unscented” personal care and home care (detergents, softeners, cleaners).
• If you use perfume, apply to clothing (not directly to skin) or to hairbrushes—limits dermal dose.
• One spritz, not a mist: lower dose = lower VOC load.
• Ventilation is medicine: open windows or run exhaust/HEPA filtration when using fragranced products.
• Skip indoor fragrance burners and strong diffusers in small rooms; never in nurseries. (Secondary pollutants rise fastest in low-vent spaces.)
• For sensitive skin, patch-test leave-on products on the inner forearm for 48–72 hours.

At work & travel

• Carry a fragrance-free hand cream and sanitizer; avoid layered perfuming in AC buses/cars, flights, and closed offices.
• If you get migraines or asthma, request scent-reduced seating/rooms and keep a written action plan from your clinician.

Shopping smarter

• Scan labels for frequent allergens (e.g., linalool, limonene, citronellol). If present, store tightly capped; oxidation increases sensitization potential.
• Treat essential oils as active chemicals: “natural” ≠ risk-free; many are strong terpenes.
• When gifting, choose fragrance-free self-care or home items—kind to recipients with sensitivities.

Balanced perspective: do you need to ditch perfume?

Not necessarily. Toxicology is dose + context. Industry standards reduce risks for the average user, and many people tolerate light, occasional use well. But for sensitive groups—or in India’s often poorly ventilated indoor spaces—fragranced products can meaningfully worsen air and symptom burden. The safest move is to minimize exposure, ventilate well, and default to fragrance-free where feasible. If you love scent, reserve it for open, outdoor settings, go low-dose, and avoid spraying around children, elders, or anyone who reports sensitivity.

Choose Wisely

• “Fragrance” is a complex chemical mixture; many components are VOCs that can irritate airways, skin, and the nervous system—especially indoors.
• Asthma, migraine, and eczema sufferers are disproportionately affected. Consider scent-free routines and spaces.
• EU rules now require labeling 80+ allergens at low thresholds; this helps sensitive consumers choose wisely.
• Some fragrance-related chemicals (e.g., certain phthalates) are endocrine disruptors; regulations restrict several, but vigilance still matters.
• “Fragrance-free” is safer for sensitive users than “unscented.” Ventilation and dose control are your best allies.

Reference

1. Fragranced consumer products: effects on asthmatics
2. Endocrine Disruptors
3. Fragrance Contact Allergy – A Review Focusing on Patch Testing