Do We Really Need Everything to Smell? A More Thoughtful Approach to Fragrance

Fragrance is everywhere. It’s in our laundry detergent, cleaning sprays, hand wash, skincare, deodorant, candles, diffusers and, of course, perfume. Most of the time we don’t really think about how many different scented products we’re layering throughout the day because it has just become normal for almost everything we use to smell like something.

We’re not anti-fragrance at Natural Good Life and we definitely don’t think everyone needs to give up perfume, candles or beautiful-smelling products. On the flip side we also don't think it's necessary for brands to be releasing high end fragranced laundry spray or perfume infused laundry detergent.

We do think it’s worth being a little more selective about where fragrance is actually adding something and where it’s simply there because we’ve come to expect it.

For things like laundry powder, surface cleaners or basic skincare, fragrance often doesn’t serve much of a practical purpose. Choosing an unscented option can be one of the easiest ways to reduce the number of fragranced ingredients you’re using without completely changing your routine.

Why are more people choosing fragrance-free?

One of the main reasons is skin sensitivity. But that’s only part of the picture. For some people, being exposed to strong scents can trigger headaches or even migraines. There’s also the respiratory side to it. People with asthma or sensory hyperreactivity can be particularly sensitive to fragrance, with studies showing symptoms such as coughing, breathlessness and eye irritation. We’re not suggesting that perfume is inherently harmful to everyone, but for those who are already sensitive to exposure, going fragrance free is the obvious choice.

There’s also growing interest in what fragranced products contribute to the air inside our homes.

Perfumes and many other scented products release volatile organic compounds, usually referred to as VOCs. These aren’t unique to synthetic fragrance because essential oils release VOCs too, but research has shown that compounds released from fragranced products can react with other substances in indoor air and form additional airborne compounds and particles.

That doesn’t mean spraying perfume is inherently dangerous. It’s more a reminder that having strong fragrance coming from your laundry, cleaning products, skincare, air fresheners, candles and perfume all at the same time probably isn’t necessary.

For us, that’s where fragrance-free starts to make sense. We can leave scent out of the products where we don’t particularly need it, then choose fragrance more intentionally in the places where we genuinely enjoy it.

Is essential oil perfume a better option?

Essential oils are very concentrated plant extracts and they can cause skin irritation or sensitisation if they’re used incorrectly. Some oils also have specific safety considerations, particularly when applied to the skin, so making your own perfume isn’t an excuse to pour a heap of essential oils into a bottle and hope for the best.

What we do like about making your own perfume blend is the control it gives you.

You know exactly which oils you’ve added, you can keep the blend quite simple and you can adjust the strength to suit you. If you find traditional perfumes overpowering, a lightly diluted roller perfume can also sit much closer to the skin rather than filling the room around you.

It also gives you the option of making your perfume without added phthalates. Some phthalates, particularly diethyl phthalate or DEP, have historically been used in fragrance products as solvents and to help fragrance last longer. That doesn’t mean every commercial perfume contains phthalates, but when you make a simple blend using pure essential oils and fractionated coconut oil, you can avoid adding them altogether.

It’s not about claiming an essential oil perfume is “chemical-free” because everything is made from chemicals, including plants. It’s simply another option for people who would rather use a small number of ingredients they’ve chosen themselves.

The bigger takeaway is that fragrance doesn’t need to be an all-or-nothing decision. Once you start paying attention to how often it appears in everyday products, it becomes much easier to decide what you’re happy to keep and what you’d rather simplify.

And if you still love wearing perfume, making your own essential oil blend is one way to keep that part of your routine while knowing exactly what you’re using. We’ve put together five simple essential oil perfume blends you can make at home, which you can find in our recipes.