Parfum (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 be composed of 30 to 50 chemicals on average, and potentially 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 and personal care products. There are no established skin-care benefits associated with fragrance as an ingredient class.
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 sometimes being equally or more allergenic than synthetic. The lack of full ingredient disclosure makes it impossible to identify specific sensitizing components from the label alone.
