Do You Know What's In Your Perfume?

(Originally Posted Tuesday, March 15, 2011)

ABC News reported on a study done of a random selection of 17 of the most popular perfumes.  The study found all 17 perfumes contained sensitizing chemicals that can lead to allergic reactions (such as wheezing and headaches).  All 17 perfumes also contained at least one of the chemicals some studies suggest are linked to endocrine (hormone) disruption in animals.  These chemicals belong to a group commonly referred to as "pthalates".

Pthalates are a group of chemicals used extensively in just about every area of our lives, from vinyl flooring to plastic toys to our personal care products.  Pthalates are plasticizers made from petroleum.  They are used in the perfume industry to make the scent linger longer, but they are also added to nail polish to make it chip resistant and in hair spray to keep it soft and flexible.  But now think about everywhere you have perfume, aka "fragrance", in the products you use…lotions, soaps, sunscreens, deodorants, hair products, laundry soaps, air fresheners, candles, cleaning products, etc.  It is dizzying to think about all the different products we use on a daily basis that contain scent or fragrance, and it is easy to see how a little bit here and there can really add up.

More specifically, the effects of pthalates on lab animals has shown an increase in reproductive and genital defects including undescended testicles, deformed penises (hyposadia), not to mention low testosterone levels, low sperm counts and early onset of puberty.  Pthalates do cross the placenta and the Center for Disease Control found metabolized forms of pthalates in every single person tested  in their "body burden" study.  Okay, so just to be fair, there are groups out there saying pthalates are harmless.  So I would suggest you do your own research and make up your own mind.

For the record, SkinKissed Naturals (SKN) is committed to using only natural, healthy ingredients without any pthalates.  The only fragrance used in any of our products are from pure plant/flower essential oils.  The scent from essential oils does not last as long as artificial fragrance oils extended with pthalates, but the scent is cleaner, fresher, and positively beautiful. 

I have been unable to wear commercially made perfumes for years no matter how much I like the fragrance, as they give me headaches, make me feel weak, dizzy and sometimes upset my stomach.  I have longed to be able to wear a scent again and was motivated to develop some natural perfumes, consistent with the SKN motto of "Pure. Simple. Natural. Beautiful".  So for the first time ever, I am able to wear perfumes made from pure plant and flower essential oils.

SkinKissed Naturals LLC is pleased and excited to announce the development of its all-natural perfumes made from only quality, natural plant and flower essential oils in a base of sweet almond oil.  The scents will be perfume strength and are not quite ready yet, but should be coming out within the next month.  Four scents will be introduced.  How does "Hippie Chic", "Flirt" and "Sultry" sound?  I can't decide on the 4th scent's name; I'm torn between "Earthy", "Earth Angel" and "Natural".

(Go to skinkissednaturals.com website)