Why facial care without fragrances?

Fragrances are one of the most common triggers of contact allergies. Effects on the skin include redness, swelling, itching, blisters or flaking. Some fragrances can cause respiratory problems such as asthma or allergic reactions in the form of breathing difficulties, coughing or sneezing. People who are particularly sensitive to strong smells or perfumes find the scent in cosmetic products intrusive or disturbing and therefore opt for fragrance-free products.

Natural versus synthetic fragrances

Until the middle of the 19th century, fragrances were exclusively of natural origin - purely plant-based or sometimes also from animal secretions. This changed when modern chemistry succeeded in synthetically reproducing more and more natural substances. Today, around 2,500 different synthetic fragrances are used in cosmetics. 95% of them are made from petroleum. Synthetic fragrances can trigger allergies and also affect the hormonal system.

In natural cosmetics, no synthetic fragrances may be used, only "natural" ones. These fragrances of natural origin are, however, extremely rarely pure, authentic essential oils. Rather, individual components of so-called "natural" fragrances are isolated from various natural substances and then deliberately recombined. This is done primarily for cost reasons, because ecologically obtained, pure essential oils are very expensive. At myrto you will only find pure, organic essential oils and no "natural" mixtures.

Long-term effects of chemical fragrances - danger to reproduction and genetic material

Natural fragrances can also be irritating to sensitive skin. However, pure natural essential oils in authentic compositions are far better tolerated than other fragrances (see BDIH study 2006). Synthetic fragrances in particular are considered highly problematic. They can penetrate the skin and settle in the tissue. They are hardly broken down in the human body or in the environment. Artificial fragrances have also been found in breast milk. The potential danger was recognized far too late.

Most contact allergies in recent years have been caused by synthetic fragrances such as lyral, atranol and chloratranol. Nevertheless, these fragrances were still approved for sale until 2021. Artificial musk fragrances, which are considered carcinogenic and affect hormones, are now banned. Synthetic fragrances with a strong allergenic effect include cinnamal, tree moss, cinnamaldehyde, musk xylene and musk ketone.

Although the risk potential of synthetic fragrances is now well known, there is hardly any scientific research into the effects. Animal experiments have shown that the synthetically produced lily of the valley fragrance Lilial can impair the animals' reproductive capacity and possibly their genetic makeup (BASF 2006). The study found that Lilial caused shrinking testicles in male rats and impaired reproduction in female rats. The aldehyde can still be found in numerous perfumes, as well as in hand creams, body lotions, soaps, shower gels and other care products.

"Fragrance-neutral" cosmetics with fragrances and allergens

Be careful with so-called "fragrance-neutral" products! These cosmetics also usually contain fragrances that are intended to mask the natural smell of certain ingredients. You can only be absolutely sure after analyzing the INCI list on the product label.

Fragrances that exceed a certain concentration must be listed by name in the INCI declaration. The limit is 0.01% for rinse-off products such as shampoos or shower gels. For products that remain on the skin (leave-on), the limit is 0.001%. If these limits are exceeded, the term "perfume" or "aroma" must be declared in addition to the allergens. It is often difficult for allergy sufferers to find out which fragrance they specifically cannot tolerate. A complex mixture of different fragrances is usually used, and their interactions with one another have also been barely studied.

According to the EU Cosmetics Regulation's list of 26 fragrances, all fragrances contained in a product that are known to have allergenic potential must be declared. These include, for example, limonene, linalool, farnesol, citronellol, eugenol, coumarin, geraniol or citral.

Allergen-free cosmetics without fragrances

If you are allergic to fragrances, have very sensitive skin that is prone to irritation, or simply don't want fragrances in your cosmetics: at myrto you will find an extensive range of high-quality fragrance-free natural cosmetics. Not only is the complete organic facial care free of fragrances. You will also find what you are looking for in the hair care and body care range.

The products do not smell boring at all without fragrances. The natural smell of active ingredient-rich cold-pressed plant oils and solvent-free plant extracts can only be perceived without additional fragrances. In particular, the solvent-free extraction of plant extracts with natural carbon dioxide - as we use for rose hips, pomegranates, sea buckthorn, rosemary, amaranth, chia seeds or schizandra - preserves the freshest and most concentrated form of the fruits, leaves or seeds used.

organic hair care without fragrances

• The Organic Shampoo Ultramild Free and the Organic Shampoo Purifying Free were specially developed for sensitive and irritated scalps that are prone to irritation and itching. Both organic shampoos are fragrance-free.
• The 3 myrto organic scalp treatments - for dry, itchy or inflamed scalps, for oily scalps with dandruff and for hair loss or thinning hair to improve healthy hair growth - are also fragrance-free.
• Bio Finisher Volume Gel, a minimalistically formulated blow-dry styling gel and effective root booster with natural heat protection, is a fragrance-free hair styling option.

organic body care without fragrances

• The organic deodorant roll-on Blue Sensitive Argan is not only very effective against sweat odor, but is also free of questionable ingredients such as aluminum salts, parabens, PEG compounds or mineral oil. It also contains neither alcohol nor fragrances.
• With the After Sun Body Oil Wild Berries, myrto also offers an organic body oil without fragrances. This property is important in the area of ​​sun care, not least because some fragrances also have a phototoxic effect.

organic facial care without fragrances

The focus of the myrto range is our hypoallergenic organic facial care. All of the now over 30 myrto facial care products are fragrance-free. The specific smell of each product is based exclusively on the purely organic plant oils and plant extracts rich in active ingredients.

If you are not sure whether your sensitive, irritated skin will tolerate a new cosmetic, you should first test the care product on the inside of your upper arm or the crook of your elbow for 2 days and then observe this area for 2 days. If no symptoms appear, the product is compatible with your skin.

What else you can do to avoid fragrance allergens

• Use detergents and household cleaners that are fragrance-free.
• Avoid using fabric softener in the washing machine and replace it with vinegar if necessary.
• Avoid fragrances in your diet. Read the packaging instructions carefully to be sure which foods (especially spices, flavored herbal teas, ready meals with spices, cough lozenges, etc.) contain the fragrance you are allergic to. Unfortunately, the packaging instructions for industrially processed foods are often inaccurate or wrong. It is therefore a good idea to avoid ready meals altogether. Instead, prepare your own food freshly, using vitamin-rich and, if possible, seasonal ingredients.