Watch out for allergens in perfumes

Each year, the perfume is very present under the Christmas tree. Previously reserved for the upper classes, it has now become widely democratized. However, offering a perfume to a loved one at Christmas, is it preserving their health? In its december issuethe 60 million consumers association tracks the allergenic substances present in some of the best-selling perfumes.

22 allergens per fragrance

Sixteen perfumes were analyzed in the laboratory, six eau de toilette for men and ten eau de parfum for women. The teams of 60 million consumers have identified 22 substances likely to cause allergies in each perfume. All the products in the selection contain linalool and limonene, the two most common allergens. When they are in their pure state they are not sensitizing, but in contact with air, they oxidize and then become very allergenic. These allergies concern 5 to 25 million people in Europe.

Dior, Mugler, Kenzo, Gaultier pinned

Additionally, some allergens are suspected of acting as endocrine disruptors. A product which the Scientific Committee for Consumer Safety (CSSC) even recommended banning was found in six perfumes. This is butylphenyl methylpropional or lilial, which gives the fragrance a note of lily of the valley. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a molecule that could also be an endocrine disruptor. It is found in ten references. These two molecules have been found in eau de parfum I love by Dior, Angel by Mugler, Flower of Kenzo and finally the eau de toilette The male by Jean-Paul Gaultier.

Beware of dyes

Endocrine disruptors disrupt hormonal functioning and are suspected of causing health problems: decline in sperm quality, increase in the number of precocious puberties, cancers. Finally, 60 million consumers spotted the presence of dyes suspected of being carcinogenic-mutagenic-reprotoxic (CMR) in many perfumes. That is to say, they can cause cancer, genetic mutations or increase the risk of fertility.