The Problem With “Fragrance” on a Label

Flip over most skincare or beauty products and you’ll see one little word: fragrance. It looks harmless. Sometimes it’s dressed up as “parfum” or even “natural fragrance.” But here’s the truth: fragrance is one of the most misleading words in the beauty industry.

Legally, companies don’t have to disclose what goes into a fragrance blend. It’s considered a “proprietary formula,” which means it can hide dozens — sometimes hundreds — of undisclosed chemicals. Even when the front of the bottle says “clean” or “natural,” that single line item can be packed with synthetics, hormone disruptors, and even formaldehyde-releasing agents.

Why It Matters for Your Health

Your skin is your body’s largest organ. Everything you put on it is absorbed into your bloodstream. Fragrance ingredients often include:

• Phthalates → linked to hormone disruption.

• Formaldehyde releasers → a known carcinogen.

• Cheap solvents and fillers → that irritate sensitive skin.

For people with eczema, rosacea, or simply sensitive skin, fragrance is one of the biggest triggers for flare-ups. Even for those without visible reactions, repeated exposure can quietly disrupt your endocrine system.

The Dishonesty Behind “Natural Fragrance”

The phrase “natural fragrance” sounds safe — but it’s often just a loophole. Brands can use the cheapest possible extracts or lab-made alternatives and still call it “natural” on the front of the box. You’ll never know what’s inside because they don’t have to tell you. That’s why fragrance labeling is considered one of the most dishonest practices in the industry.

The Difference Between Fragrance Oils and Botanicals

Fragrance oils are synthetic, lab-made mixtures — often hiding dozens of undisclosed chemicals, from phthalates to formaldehyde releasers. They sell scent, not care. Botanicals, on the other hand, are therapeutic oils drawn directly from plants — steam-distilled, cold-pressed, or resin-based. They soothe, hydrate, calm, and restore.

At Oshun, if an aromatic ingredient is in our formula, you’ll see it named in full — by plant, by origin, by purpose. Never hidden, never vague.

Because fragrance is perfume. Botanicals are ritual.

Oshun’s Stand: No Fragrance, Ever

At Oshun, we believe transparency is luxury. That’s why we list every single ingredient we use — clearly and without shortcuts. You will never see the vague word “fragrance” or “parfum” on our labels. If an ingredient is present, it’s always named in full — never hidden in a catch-all blend.

Our bars are crafted with ingredients your body recognizes — goat milk, shea butter, olive oil, willow bark — nutrients that have stood the test of time. They’re nourishing, recognizable, and effective without undisclosed synthetics or chemical fillers disguised as “fragrance.”

What Clean Beauty Really Means

For us, clean beauty isn’t about marketing stamps or trendy labels. It’s about purity in practice. That’s why we’re globally halal certified, aligned with EU standards, and on track for ISO 22716 Cosmetic GMP and ECOCERT COSMOS Organic by January 2026.

Because beauty should never hide behind loopholes. True care is honest, timeless, and transparent. And that means no fragrance — ever.