Fragrance
Parfum (EU) or Fragrance (US) is a generic umbrella term used on cosmetic ingredient lists to denote a blend of scent-producing chemicals. A single "fragrance" entry can contain anywhere from 30 to 50 chemicals on average, and up to 200 individual components. Because it is a collective term, the specific constituent chemicals are not disclosed to consumers.
Its primary function is purely aesthetic — it imparts a pleasant scent to cosmetic products. No established skin-care benefits are attributed to fragrance as a functional ingredient.
Fragrance is the number one cause of contact allergy to cosmetics and is strongly advised against for those with sensitive skin. Both natural and synthetic fragrances carry allergenic potential, with natural fragrance potentially being equally or more allergenic than synthetic. The opaque nature of the term means consumers cannot identify specific sensitizing components.
