Parfum
Parfum (EU) or Fragrance (US) is a generic umbrella term used on cosmetic ingredient lists to denote a mixture of scent-producing chemicals, typically comprising 30 to 50 individual compounds on average, though a single fragrance blend can contain up to 200 components. Because it is a collective declaration, the specific constituent chemicals are not disclosed to consumers. It is used solely to impart a pleasant smell to the finished cosmetic product.
Parfum/Fragrance provides no established skin-care benefit; its sole function is to make the end product smell pleasant.
Fragrance is the number-one cause of contact allergy to cosmetics and should be avoided by people with sensitive skin. Both natural and synthetic fragrances carry allergenic potential, with natural fragrance potentially being equally or more allergenic than synthetic. The opaque "parfum/fragrance" label makes it impossible to identify which specific chemicals are present, posing a challenge for those trying to avoid particular allergens.
