To Scent Or Not To Scent...

Let’s talk about the magical world of fragrance. A sense of smell is quite an incredible trait we humans have, as scents have the power to evoke memories and different emotions. Fragrances are known to attract or repel people, and as a woman in the business of attracting customers, I often struggle with whether or not to use fragrance to my advantage in my soaps. So many potential customers suffer from skin conditions in which synthetic fragrances could possibly exacerbate, so I have to offer fragrance-free options. But what about the people who want their soap to smell yummy? While I have used essential oils to scent soap in the past, I have found that it is an extremely wasteful endeavor--after a few months of curing, the scent fades. Not to mention essential oils are far more expensive than fragrance oils and take so many plants to make...like is it worth it? I am starting to believe that it is not.

My brand promotes all things natural, right? Plant-based solutions for burning candles, bathing your body and hair, moisturizing your skin, and satisfying your thirst. Essential oils are the epitome of plant-based...they are essentially a part of the immune systems of plants (hence the plethora of chemicals that can attract, repel, heal, and irritate). I love using essential oils in products that remain on your skin because your body will actually have a chance to reap the benefits, but is it worth it if the product’s ultimate fate is down the drain? Just as it is wasteful to cut a flower to put in my hair only for it to die a few hours later, it is cruel to gather hundreds of plants and extract their essential oils only for the purpose of experiencing their scent during the brief time of my daily shower. I’m more a proponent of adding a few drops of the desired oil into the shower as it’s running for the same olfactory experience. But at craft shows, the first thing a customer does is smell the bar. So what do I do?

Many customers want their beauty products to smell good regardless of whether the product stays on the skin or is washed off, so I feel like I owe it to you guys to offer a few bars that smell yummy. In order for a bar to retain that yummy smell, I would need to use fragrances that contain some synthetic constituents. This was not my original intention, but where there is demand, I should listen and supply. So what’s the problem?

I watched a documentary highlighting how companies often hide toxic chemicals in fragrance formulas because they are not required to disclose the specific ingredients--fragrances are confidential and deemed “trade secrets.” So when purchasing fragrance oils, I have to thoroughly vet the suppliers and trust that they are not trying to kill me to make a profit (literally why I started making my own products in the first place). Luckily I’ve done quite a bit of research, and I’m happy to know that I’m not alone in my worries. Many companies have already removed the chemical constituents that are potentially harmful per their consumer requests. So now what’s the problem?

Fragrance oils are not all-natural, and I try to be as natural as possible. And while many companies use essential oils in their fragrances for more natural scents, many man-made ingredients are also added to raise flashpoints, increase scent throw, and improve performance in handcrafted candles and soap. What I often struggle with is the fact that natural does not always mean safer. Many essential oils contain chemicals that are toxic to humans, the pets we adopt, and aquatic life. Not a lot of research exists on the safety of some common oils. Fragrance oils, on the other hand, are thoroughly tested for skin and product safety prior to being sold. A small subset of the population may still have an allergic reaction to particular fragrance oils, but the truth is they are just as likely to have an allergic response to essential oils.

My goal in 2020 is to live more sustainably, so I am choosing not to scent wash off products (mainly soap) with essential oils. I will always offer fragrance-free soaps for those with sensitive skin, but I am now much more open to introducing soaps with synthetic fragrances. I still have a lot of research to do on which companies offer the safest fragrance oils, but I am committed to making products that smell yummy for the people who want them. Stay tuned for more bars that smell as yummy as they sometimes look, and Happy New Year!