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New York Times

Did You Know That ‘Unscented' Isn't the Same As ‘Fragrance-Free'?

None of the above terms ('unscented,' 'fragrance-free,' 'natural') are federally regulated, so it's up to shoppers to determine which products won't cause a reaction or exacerbate a condition. And that mostly involves trial and error. Fragrance sensitivities and allergies can manifest as respiratory symptoms, especially if you already have asthma. It can also appear as itchiness, bumpy skin rashes such as contact dermatitis, exacerbation of eczema symptoms, headaches, sneezing, runny nose, and nausea. In general, leave-on products are more likely to cause skin reactions than wash-off products. A moisturizer, Strugar explains, is more likely to trigger an allergy than a shampoo because the moisturizer sits on your skin for hours or even days, while the shampoo washes off within seconds. The same goes for fragrances in home-cleaning products, which you're likely to wash off your skin soon after cleaning. Gloves can also protect your hands from fragrances (as well as other caustic chemicals in cleaning products), but at the very least, you should wash your hands after cleaning to help prevent irritation. You might also be more sensitive to fragrances in laundry detergents, as those scents are usually engineered to stick around on clothing that you wear for long periods of time. If you're prone to irritation from fragrances, consider switching to a fragrance-free detergent like Tide Free & Gentle. If you're looking for a personal scent, Vittoria always recommends testing a fragrance on your skin before purchasing it, just to confirm that you won't have a reaction to its ingredients. The same goes for personal-care items such as moisturizers and body washes — test a scented product on a discreet part of your body before applying it more generally, just to be sure it doesn't cause an adverse reaction. If you think you might be allergic to a fragrance, contact your doctor and discontinue use of the product until you can get tested for specific allergens. As I continue my journey to eliminate fragranced products from my life, and hopefully ease sensitivity and allergy symptoms in the process, I'm keeping my eyes peeled in stores for items that are specifically labeled 'fragrance-free,' bear the EPA's Safer Choice Fragrance Free label, or have the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance. And unfortunately, this means I'll also be avoiding products labeled 'unscented,' because there's a good chance they still contain fragrance. This article was edited by Megan Beauchamp and Maxine Builder. Everyone benefits from breathing better air inside. Here's how to cut pollutants at the source and filter out bad air trapped in your home. Get cleaner air in a range of room sizes with air purifiers we've tested and measured firsthand. Get reliable, accurate air quality information with these apps and tools. If you harbor a morbid curiosity about what exactly makes up the grayish, fluffy stuff that accumulates in your home, we've got you.