Many of us put a lot of thought into the foods we eat: Organic vs. conventional? Local vs. shipped from overseas? I think we could all agree on some level that what we put into our bodies has an affect on our well-being. But what about what we put on our bodies, such as perfumes? Is their a big difference between natural and synthetic fragrances?
At first sniff, it may not seem to be much of an issue. But a bit of research yields that there is much more going on when we spray our skin with a synthetic fragrance vs. a natural fragrance. For starters, our bodies absorb what we spray on our skin, so what goes on our skin essentially goes in our bodies. The ingredient lists for perfumes do not need to be made public because they are considered a trade secret, which of course protects the companies who produce these fragrances. But is anyone protecting the consumers who spray it on their skin every day? And is their really something we consumers need to be protected from, after all?
Perhaps you love the scent of lavender and are not sure if you should purchase a natural or synthetic lavender fragrance. Your nose may not know the difference between the two, so it may make sense to purchase the less expensive, synthetic fragrance. It is more profound, and to achieve the potency and longevity of the aroma, this seems to be a good choice. However, those who practice aromatherapy will opt for the product made with lavender essential oils, because they know that synthetic aromas do not produce the therapeutic benefits that the derived from plants can achieve. Studies in the past have also shown that prolonged exposure to the chemicals in synthetic fragrances can cause issues such as allergic reactions, headaches, and asthma, and may affect our nervous systems in the long-term when absorbed by our bodies. Still, many will argue that if the fragrance industry ceased producing synthetic fragrances and switched entirely to producing natural fragrances, we would deplete our natural resources. This is because it takes far more natural materials to create a fragrance than can be achieved when made synthetically.
In the end, the dilemma in fragrance choice is similar to purchasing a natural and organic food over food that has been heavily processed. The organic, natural food may be more expensive, but several people follow the rationale that in the long run, they are saving money on potential healthcare bills and taking better care of their bodies. As with many things in life, the best choice may be to use both in moderation.
At first sniff, it may not seem to be much of an issue. But a bit of research yields that there is much more going on when we spray our skin with a synthetic fragrance vs. a natural fragrance. For starters, our bodies absorb what we spray on our skin, so what goes on our skin essentially goes in our bodies. The ingredient lists for perfumes do not need to be made public because they are considered a trade secret, which of course protects the companies who produce these fragrances. But is anyone protecting the consumers who spray it on their skin every day? And is their really something we consumers need to be protected from, after all?
Perhaps you love the scent of lavender and are not sure if you should purchase a natural or synthetic lavender fragrance. Your nose may not know the difference between the two, so it may make sense to purchase the less expensive, synthetic fragrance. It is more profound, and to achieve the potency and longevity of the aroma, this seems to be a good choice. However, those who practice aromatherapy will opt for the product made with lavender essential oils, because they know that synthetic aromas do not produce the therapeutic benefits that the derived from plants can achieve. Studies in the past have also shown that prolonged exposure to the chemicals in synthetic fragrances can cause issues such as allergic reactions, headaches, and asthma, and may affect our nervous systems in the long-term when absorbed by our bodies. Still, many will argue that if the fragrance industry ceased producing synthetic fragrances and switched entirely to producing natural fragrances, we would deplete our natural resources. This is because it takes far more natural materials to create a fragrance than can be achieved when made synthetically.
In the end, the dilemma in fragrance choice is similar to purchasing a natural and organic food over food that has been heavily processed. The organic, natural food may be more expensive, but several people follow the rationale that in the long run, they are saving money on potential healthcare bills and taking better care of their bodies. As with many things in life, the best choice may be to use both in moderation.
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