Parfum / Fragrance
An umbrella term that can hide hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, including potential endocrine disruptors.
“Parfum” on an ingredient list can represent a blend of dozens to hundreds of individual chemicals — many of which don’t have to be disclosed individually.
What is it?
Parfum (or Fragrance) is a catch-all term used in INCI labelling to describe a product’s scent composition. A single “parfum” entry can contain anywhere from 10 to 200+ individual chemicals, including synthetic musks, phthalates, and allergens.
Where is it found?
Almost everything scented: perfumes, body washes, shampoos, lotions, laundry detergent, cleaning products, candles, and baby products.
EU regulation
The EU requires 26 known allergens to be individually listed if they exceed certain concentrations (Annex III of EC 1223/2009). However, many fragrance chemicals don’t fall under this rule and remain undisclosed. The EU is considering expanding disclosure requirements.
Should you worry?
The lack of transparency is the main concern. Some fragrance chemicals are known endocrine disruptors (e.g., certain phthalates, synthetic musks). If you’re concerned, look for products labelled ‘fragrance-free’ (not ‘unscented’ — that can still contain masking fragrances).
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