Perfume (fragrance) is a blend of aromatic compounds added to cosmetic products to impart a desired scent or to mask the base odor of other ingredients. It serves a sensory and formulation role rather than a skin-treating function.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Allergic contact dermatitis | Common | Fragrance mix is among the most frequent causes of cosmetic-related allergic contact dermatitis in patch-test studies. |
Skin irritation | Common | Can cause redness, stinging, or itching, particularly on sensitive or compromised skin. |
Photoallergic or phototoxic reactions | Uncommon | Certain fragrance components (e.g., some citrus oils, musks) may react under UV exposure. |
Contact urticaria | Rare | Immediate hives or wheal-and-flare response in sensitized individuals. |
Respiratory or systemic hypersensitivity | Very rare | Reported in highly sensitized individuals exposed to volatile fragrance compounds. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.