INCI name

Parfum

Also listed as: Fragrance, Aroma

Parfum, or Fragrance on some US labels, is a blanket name for a mixture of scent chemicals. A single word on the list can stand for dozens of materials. Makers are not required to name every component of a fragrance compound, with some important exceptions.

In the EU, a set of well-known fragrance allergens (including linalool, limonene, citral, geraniol, cinnamal and others) must be listed separately on the pack when they exceed set thresholds. Those names then appear after Parfum. The UK follows a similar approach. In the US, those allergens are not always listed by name on a cosmetic, and the word Fragrance may be the only clue.

Unscented is not the same as fragrance-free. An unscented product may still contain a masking fragrance. "Fragrance-free" is the phrase to look for if you are trying to avoid the compound altogether, and even then you should read the full list.

Where it turns up

Almost any scented cream, shampoo, soap, detergent-style cleanser or lipstick.

Sensitivities

Fragrance mixes are among the more common causes of cosmetic contact allergy. If you have a diagnosed fragrance allergy, read for both Parfum and the named allergens.

Vegan or animal-derived

Depends on the compound. Animal musks are less common than they once were, but the INCI name will not tell you.

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