The Real Problem With The Body Shop Skincare Products
Owen Barnes
The connection between fragrances and skin problems is well-known, and many beauty and skincare enthusiasts have opted to go completely fragrance-free. Some popular skincare brands like Drunk Elephant and Clinique only sell fragrance-free products, while others like the Body Shop offer both fragranced and fragrance-free options, (via Honesty for Your Skin).
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, per Beauty Bay, fragrance is the biggest cause of cosmetic contact dermatitis. And even if you can't see the irritation in the form of a rash or a breakout, you can still be experiencing inflammation at a cellular level, which can lead to damage over time. "Fragrances can absolutely be sensitizing and cause eczema and other skin reactions," Dr. Shari Marchbein, a board-certified dermatologist and professor at NYU School of Medicine told PopSugar.
For NYC-based dermatologist Dr. Melissa Levin, fragrances in skincare is a complex issue. Fragrances aren't necessarily bad, but people can react to various fragrances differently. What might be bothersome to one person's skin is fine for another.
"The issue is that ingredients in skin care are complex and shouldn't be labeled as good or bad," Dr. Levin explained. "With fragrances specifically, multiple fragrances can be added to a single skin-care product." Because scents are often mixed, if you're having a negative reaction to something in the product you are using, it might be difficult to tell which ingredient specifically is upsetting your skin. If you have sensitive skin, many dermatologists and estheticians recommend you don't risk it with fragrances and stick to fragrance-free options.