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crazy beauty rabbit holes
November 13, 2013

The Guide to Living Life Unscented

By Cheryl Wischhover

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The fragrance-free movement, which has the best tagline ever: “Think Before You Stink,” has gotten a lot of buzz lately. There’s an expanding group of people who believe that, like smoking, wearing fragrances should be banned from public places. Just this past week, there was a story about a church offering special “fragrance-free” seating areas for those not interested in smelling other congregants while they’re praying. (Then, of course, there’s Brad Pitt, who’s reportedly doing his own malodorous eau, but please don’t go that route.)

Whether it’s because of chemical and scent sensitivities or just the annoyance factor, there’s an increasing demand for unscented beauty products, and we rounded up a whole lot of them.

Even if you don’t think everyone should forgo Axe Body Spray in public, maybe you’re just tired of having the scents of all your different face potions clash with your Chanel No. 5. Or perhaps you’re a guy who sneakily uses your girlfriend’s products and doesn’t want the world to know you’re addicted to high-end hyaluronic acid. Whatever the reason, it’s really difficult to find truly fragrance-free, unscented products out there.

It also gets confusing because a lot of products that are labeled “fragrance-free” actually smell. According to Dr. Tom Mammone, the executive director of skin physiology and pharmacology in Clinique’s R&D department (Clinique famously formulates all its products to be fragrance-free and generally safe for sensitive skin), “fragrance-free” means that no artificial aromas get added to a product to mask the natural scent of other ingredients. “When a product is ‘unscented,’ it means it doesn’t have a detectable odor or scent,” Dr. Mammone clarified. So if scented oils like rose oil and lavender oil, which both have strong odors, are added to a product as active ingredients (as opposed to being added to mask smells), the product can still be labeled as “fragrance-free.” The FDA only loosely regulates the labeling for “fragrance-free” items and doesn’t regulate the term “unscented” at all. Companies need to disclose whether they use fragrance in a product, but they don’t need to clarify what that fragrance actually is, and sometimes, masking fragrances aren’t even listed on labels as fragrances at all.

To confuse things even further, so-called “natural” fragrances, like the aforementioned rose and lavender oils, are not necessarily better for you than synthetic ingredients, and indeed, may actually be worse for you. Last year, the European Union struck fear into the hearts of French perfumers with proposed legislation that would ban some natural ingredients that have been used in classic perfumes for centuries, including rose and lavender oil, because they’re known allergens.

So what’s a consumer who doesn’t want to smell like a sachet, nor break out like a leper, to do? Read the label and test products judiciously before you use them. Dr. Mammone also warned that you should be aware of which products you’re using around the eyes and lips, which are very sensitive areas. “In these regions, the skin is very thin and foreign elements easily penetrate, and the No. 1 sensitizer is fragrance,” he said. “Fragrance molecules are small and penetrate the skin, but also then react with the skin’s own proteins to create foreign molecules that the immune system reacts to. Therefore, you need to be very careful about using fragrance around the eyes and lips.”

With all of this in mind, we tested scores of products that meet the qualifications for being both fragrance-free (no added fragrance listed on the ingredient label) and unscented (they smell like nothing or very close to nothing — although some unscented, fragrance-free lotions smell a little, well, lotion-y). Since every person is different, you should still do a test patch before you douse yourself with any of these, especially since fragrances aren’t the only ingredients that can be allergenic. You should also note the term “hypoallergenic” is another descriptor that means absolutely nothing on packaging. Per the FDA, which doesn’t regulate the term, “The term ‘hypoallergenic’ may have considerable market value in promoting cosmetic products to consumers on a retail basis, but dermatologists say it has very little meaning.”

Click through for a thorough list of skin-and-body-care products, including  mainstream and “natural” brands, as well as some makeup (many lipsticks, especially high-end brands, contain fragrance) that will let your true self shine (smell?) through.

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Face Wash This foaming wash feels like a standard cleanser, but without the drying effects. Aveeno Ultra Calming Foaming Cleanser, $6.49
Face Wash  A posh and creamy French cleanser that's moisturizing, yet rinses off well. La Roche Posay Toleriane Foaming Facial Cream, $23.9... Face Wash  A posh and creamy French cleanser that's moisturizing, yet rinses off well. La Roche Posay Toleriane Foaming Facial Cream, $23.99
Face Wash  Contains 2 percent salicylic acid to help prevent acne. Clearasil Oil Free Daily Face Wash Sensitive Formula, $5.39
Makeup Wipes These wipes from recent UK import Simple are a favorite of tons of models — I've seen them carrying them around backstage at multipl... Makeup Wipes These wipes from recent UK import Simple are a favorite of tons of models — I've seen them carrying them around backstage at multiple fashion shows. Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes, $4.78
Makeup Wipes This Finnish skin care brand uses Arctic berries in its products, and makes a pretty great utilitarian wipe. Lumene Sensitive Touch... Makeup Wipes This Finnish skin care brand uses Arctic berries in its products, and makes a pretty great utilitarian wipe. Lumene Sensitive Touch Gentle Cleansing Wipes, $6.99
Makeup Wipes Need to quickly swipe off your eye makeup and don't want to waste a full wipe? These little pads from natural brand Jason are perfec... Makeup Wipes Need to quickly swipe off your eye makeup and don't want to waste a full wipe? These little pads from natural brand Jason are perfect. Jason Quick Clean Pure Natural Makeup Remover Pads, $8.95
Face Treatments This Über-refreshing mist is made with deep ocean water found off the coast of Japan. Shu Uemura Depsea Water Fragrance Fre... Face Treatments This Über-refreshing mist is made with deep ocean water found off the coast of Japan. Shu Uemura Depsea Water Fragrance Free Mist, $25
Face Treatments This serum feels and acts like an oil, but it's actually a moisturizer made from sugarcane. Peter Thomas Roth Oilless Oil 100% P... Face Treatments This serum feels and acts like an oil, but it's actually a moisturizer made from sugarcane. Peter Thomas Roth Oilless Oil 100% Purified Squalane, $38  
Face Treatments This serum contains antioxidants like vitamin C to decrease pigmentation and licorice for skin brightening. First Aid Beauty Fac... Face Treatments This serum contains antioxidants like vitamin C to decrease pigmentation and licorice for skin brightening. First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Serum, $44
Face Treatments  This anti-aging formula acts as both a serum and a moisturizer. Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum Fragrance Free, $... Face Treatments  This anti-aging formula acts as both a serum and a moisturizer. Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum Fragrance Free, $15.99
Eye Cream This eye cream is now a classic — its lightweight formula is a de-puffer. Clinique All About Eyes, $30
Eye Cream This lightweight eye product is also free of parabens. It feels as luxurious as many high-end eye serums we've tried. Juice Beauty Smo... Eye Cream This lightweight eye product is also free of parabens. It feels as luxurious as many high-end eye serums we've tried. Juice Beauty Smoothing Eye Concentrate, $29
Facial Moisturizer This classic relaunched with a little bit of a face-lift a few months ago. It features an updated hydrating complex. Clinique... Facial Moisturizer This classic relaunched with a little bit of a face-lift a few months ago. It features an updated hydrating complex. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+, $26
Facial Moisturizer This moisturizer is well-suited for sensitive, acne-prone skin, and even provides sun protection. Cetaphil Oil Control Moistu... Facial Moisturizer This moisturizer is well-suited for sensitive, acne-prone skin, and even provides sun protection. Cetaphil Oil Control Moisturizer SPF 30, $13.59
Facial Moisturizer This is a thicker more luxurious moisturizer that’s formulated for aging skin. Avon Anew Clinical Skinvincible, $36 Photo: Co... Facial Moisturizer This is a thicker more luxurious moisturizer that’s formulated for aging skin. Avon Anew Clinical Skinvincible, $36 Photo: Courtesy Photo
Lipstick This sheer, hydrating lipcolor, from Greek “natural” brand Korres, comes in mainly neutral colors. (There is a better color selection in... Lipstick This sheer, hydrating lipcolor, from Greek “natural” brand Korres, comes in mainly neutral colors. (There is a better color selection in-store than what you can find online at Sephora.) Korres Mango Butter Lipstick, $18
Lipstick Founder Poppy King once said at a launch that she purposely doesn't add fragrance to her lipsticks. (One caveat: She did add peppermint ... Lipstick Founder Poppy King once said at a launch that she purposely doesn't add fragrance to her lipsticks. (One caveat: She did add peppermint oil to her high-end Velvet Rope line, probably to compete with other luxury brands' lipstick, almost all of which have added fragrance.) Poppy Queen Lip Nouveau Kit, $48
Mascara  Most commercial mascaras are actually unscented and fragrance-free, but we decided to throw this one in because it’s particularly “... Mascara  Most commercial mascaras are actually unscented and fragrance-free, but we decided to throw this one in because it’s particularly “clean” if you're worried about eye sensitivity. No parabens, no artificial colors, and it contains quite a few more plant extracts than some other mascaras we looked at. Mineral Fusion Volumizing Mascara, $18.99
Mascara  This is another super “clean” brand that doesn't contain a lot of nasty chemicals or synthetic dye. Josie Maran GOGO Instant Natur... Mascara  This is another super “clean” brand that doesn't contain a lot of nasty chemicals or synthetic dye. Josie Maran GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara, $22
Body Wash This organic line is affordable and free of pretty much all the bad P words — parabens, phthlates, and petrochemicals. It's really crea... Body Wash This organic line is affordable and free of pretty much all the bad P words — parabens, phthlates, and petrochemicals. It's really creamy and moisturizing. Nourish Organic Moisturizing Cream Body Wash Unscented, $9.99
Body Wash You can share this super gentle liquid soap with (as the name suggests) your baby. Dr. Bronner's Unscented Baby-Mild Pure Castile Soap... Body Wash You can share this super gentle liquid soap with (as the name suggests) your baby. Dr. Bronner's Unscented Baby-Mild Pure Castile Soap, $2.99
Body Lotion Bliss's famous Body Butter now comes unscented, so you can wear it bare or mix it with your favorite fragrance (also now paraben-free... Body Lotion Bliss's famous Body Butter now comes unscented, so you can wear it bare or mix it with your favorite fragrance (also now paraben-free). Bliss Naked Body Butter Maximum Moisture Cream, $29
Body Lotion The crème de la crème (ha) of body lotions. This is the one against which I measure all others. Kiehl’s Crème d... Body Lotion The crème de la crème (ha) of body lotions. This is the one against which I measure all others. Kiehl’s Crème de Corps, $29.50
Body Lotion It's light enough for year-round use, yet hydrates well. Jergens Daily Moisture Fragrance Free, $6.49
Hand Cream This cream is thick, hydrating, and loaded with moisturizing hyaluronic acid. (I've been known to use it on my dry elbows, too.) Cera... Hand Cream This cream is thick, hydrating, and loaded with moisturizing hyaluronic acid. (I've been known to use it on my dry elbows, too.) CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream, $10.99
Hand Cream This all-purpose lotions contains shea butter and vitamin E. Avalon Organics Hand & Body Lotion Aloe Unscented, $12
Hand Cream It contains vitamin E, silk proteins, and marine botanicals. H2O Plus Unscented Hand and Nail Cream, $16
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  • beauty
  • clinique
  • bliss spa
  • fragrance free
  • crazy beauty rabbit holes
  • avon
  • unscented
  • fda
  • living the life unscented
  • perfume
  • allergies
  • wellness
  • health and wellness
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