Two ingredients almost universally added to cosmetics, fragrance and preservatives are often thought to be the major culprits when our skin has an allergic or sensitizing reaction to a cosmetic (Source: Contact Dermatitis, June 1999, pages 310–315).

An editorial by Pamela Scheinmann, MD, entitled "The Foul Side of Fragrance-Free Products" (Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, December 1999, page 1020) states that "Products designated as fragrance-free should contain no fragrance chemicals, not even those that have dual functions." She continues by saying that "hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, sensitive skin, or dermatologist recommended are nothing more than meaningless marketing slogans."

The cosmetics industry knows that most women emotionally and psychologically prefer cosmetics that smell nice, even if they say they want to avoid fragrance. But if a cosmetics company produces products without fragrance, you will instead get the scent of the ingredients, which are not in the least as appealing as an added sweet, floral, or citrusy fragrance. As lovely as essential oils sound, they are still nothing more than fragrance. So while you don't see the word "fragrance" on the list, and you may approvingly think wintergreen oil, lemon oil, cardamom oil, ylang-ylang oil, or other oils sound pleasant and healthy, your skin may still respond disapprovingly.

The next time you admire the fragrant quality of a skin-care product you're about to apply to any part of your body or face, think twice. Similarly, aromatherapy shouldn't be a skin-care treatment, however therapeutic it is for the sense of smell and emotions. Fragrance might be nice for your spirits, but it is a health risk for skin. And it doesn't matter if the source of the fragrance is essential oils or plant extracts; as far as the health of your skin is concerned, they are all the same.