Improving User Experience: Fragrance

Overview

Fragrance has become an important factor in cosmetics and cleaning products such as shampoos, body lotions, laundry detergents, room fresheners, etc. It can provide a pleasant smell, make the product more recognizable and help to mask the smell of some ingredients. For consumers, the inclusion of fragrance in products can enhance the user experience and even improve general health. For example, fragranced hand sanitizers may play a role in encouraging people to wash their hands, thereby improving hygiene. Some products are unscented to use and may also contain fragrances to mask the unpleasant smell of other ingredients. Certain fragrance products are used to treat or prevent disease, or to affect the structure and function of the body. Products intended for this type of use are considered drugs, or sometimes both cosmetics and pharmaceuticals under the law. These labeling statements, listed below, could make your fragrance-containing product considered a drug:

• Easing muscle aches
• help people sleeping
• soothing headaches
• Treating colic

Safety Requirements and Labeling

Cleaning and other products that people use in their homes are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), such as laundry detergents, fabric softeners, room fresheners, and more. Under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA), FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) require ingredient declarations for consumer goods, and all consumer products are required to be labeled to state the net content, the identity of the commodity, and the name and place of business of the product’s manufacturer, packer or distributor, etc. FDA administers FPLA for food, drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices, while the FTC administers FPLA to products that are used in the home.

Fragrance ingredients in cosmetics, like other ingredients, must meet relevant safety requirements. They do not require FDA approval before they go on the market, but they must be safe for consumers when they are used according to label instructions or as people are accustomed to. In the United States, according to regulatory requirements, if the cosmetic product is sold to consumers at retail, the fragrance ingredient in the ingredient list can be listed simply as "Fragrance" or "Flavor".

Fragrance Allergies and Sensitivities

Even though these ingredients are safe for most people, some people may have allergies or sensitivities to the ingredients. FDA does not have the same legal authority to require allergen labeling for cosmetics and foods. Therefore, if consumers are worried about their sensitivity to fragrances, they can carefully check the ingredient list to choose fragrance-free products.

Phthalates

Phthalates are a group of chemicals used in hundreds of products. A commonly used phthalate in fragrance products is diethyl phthalate, or DEP for short, which is commonly used as a solvent and fixative in fragrances. In 2002, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel reaffirmed its original conclusion that DEP was safe to use in cosmetics and poses no known risk for human health.

As an experienced cosmetic testing expert, Creative BioMart has proven cosmetic testing expertise, and can provide you with various services to help you check the safety of your products and systems. We help you verify whether your cosmetics and personal care products comply with applicable cosmetic regulations. We offer various customized tests to meet your specific needs, including formaldehyde testing, prohibited ingredient testing, stability testing, patch testing, flash point testing, and microbiological control, etc.
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