We all like our cosmetic and sunscreen products to smell pleasant – it’s part of their appeal. That said, when you’re talking about products like sunscreen for sensitive skin, fragrances are not a great thing to have around. In this blog, we’ll be examining the subject a little closer so that we can try and understand why it matters so much.
So, Why Shouldn’t There Be Fragrance in Sunscreen For Sensitive Skin?
Believe it or not, fragrances rank among the most troublesome allergens in existence. It’s in the top 5 for allergic reactions, with as many as 1 in 50 people having an adverse reaction to wearing it on their skin. The effects of an allergic reaction can be quite unpleasant, with a whole myriad of issues being caused by the wrong person wearing it, such as:
- Dermatitis, acne flare-ups & increased psoriasis
- Headaches and migraines, in the worst cases
- Swelling of the skin
- Difficulty in breathing
Synthetic fragrances are found in some sunscreen for sensitive skin products, as well as around half of the conditioners and shampoos you’ll find in your local drugstore. Hair styling products are no different either, as they contain perhaps more fragrance than any other type of goods.
Fragrance Is Actually Listed as an Ingredient
Some brands of cosmetic products actually have ‘fragrance’ listed as an ingredient in the table on the side, and they don’t help the product to work any better than it otherwise would. In fact, it makes it perform worse due to the irritation ‘ingredients’ like these can cause.
You see, to the manufacturers, it’s all about perception and the first impression a person gets when they apply it. Would you be happy with sunscreen that didn’t protect you from UV rays but smelled nice? Of course, you wouldn’t, but you might be surprised by how many people do without knowing it.
Plain Old Zinc Oxide is All Your Skin Needs
When it comes down to it, you want sunscreen to do just that – screen you from the sun! The zinc oxide you get in the best mineral sunscreens is all you need to keep your skin free from sun damage. Why put a fragrance into the mix just to make it smell more appealing?
If it’s an action that destroys the primary use of the product by irritating the skin rather than safeguarding it, it doesn’t make much sense. That’s why the best sensitive skin sunscreens rarely contain them.
Keep Your Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin Fragrance-Free!
Whichever way you slice it, fragrance is the enemy of sensitive skin. That’s because it’s added to make the product more appealing – not more effective. As such, you only ever need mineral sunscreen that sits atop the skin…so there should be no sweet-smelling stuff in it.
Zinc oxide has an earthy smell, so that’s all your nose should pick up when you open the bottle. It occurs naturally in nature and is more effective at blocking UV rays when it’s not diluted with perfume.
If you’ve not yet tried either, take it from us, the unfragranced option is easily the best one, and your skin will thank you for choosing it.
