You Don’t Want Artificial Friends, Why Use Artificial Fragrances?

Life imitating art imitating life. That best describes the current state of the fragrance 
scene. Want something to smell like lavender? Let’s use 50-200 chemicals and
create a lavender-like scent! Meanwhile lavender sits in a corner, mouth agape. As
bad as drinking orange soda to get your fruit intake, artificial fragrances mean well
but can have harmful effects. They’re in all the places you suspect and many places
you don’t.

Where They Loom

Perfumes, cleaners, candles, skincare products, soaps, deodorants, laundry
detergent, the list goes on. There are enough chemicals lurking in the air to irritate
even the slightest of allergies. The word “fragrance” sounds sophisticated but it’s
really a fancy word for chemical. To quote Maria Rodale’s blog for HUFFPOST:
“Environmental Working Group (EWG) researchers found more than 75 percent of
products listing the ingredient “fragrance” contained phthalates (THAL-ates) which
have been shown to disrupt hormone activity, reduce sperm counts, and cause
reproductive malformation, and have been linked to liver and breast cancer,
diabetes, and obesity. Additionally, studies by Dr. Philip J. Landrigan of the Mount
Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center, link fetal exposure with autism,
ADHD, and neurological disorders.”
So… Yeah.

The Good News

There are natural alternatives at your fingertips. Because consumers have become
more educated on the subject, many companies have followed suit by offering
chemical-free products. It’s not only important to purchase natural products for the
safety of you and your family, but to support this movement by showing the world
that we’re reading labels and require safe and affordable products.
Interesting Tidbit: “30.5% reported scented products worn by others are irritating.”
(Sandi Gauvin at Alive.com) So many businesses have gone scent-free. In 2000
Halifax, Nova Scotia jumped in headfirst and declared their CITY fragrance-free.

The Essentials

Essential Oils are all the rage but this isn’t a fad. Called essential for good reason,
these oils are not only 100% natural (caveat below) they have healing properties, a
heavenly scent, and are affordable.

What’s an essential oil? Simply put, it’s oil extracted from a plant. There are
numerous faux oils out there so be privy to words like “fragrance.” And if it doesn’t
specify that it’s an essential oil, that cute little bottle won’t make it natural. Knock-
offs contain essential oils mixed with chemicals, defeating the whole purpose.
Essential oils can be used 3 basic ways:
1. Inhalation - inhaling them directly, with a diffuser, or vapor.
2. Topically - placing them on the skin. *Research the individual oil. Some aren’t
meant for sensitive skin and most should be diluted.
3. Internal consumption - ingesting the oil. Warning: Some are dangerous taken
this way. You’ll want to speak with a doctor about this one.

Chemical Cleanse – How To Get Started

It might be time for a little chemical cleaning. Look at what’s in your home. Read
labels, research ingredients, then visit the EWG website and brace yourself. A lot of
products with strong reputations flunked the environmental test.
After you’ve tossed the bad stuff, enjoy hunting for responsible and effective
products that are safe for you and your family. For example, replace “fragrance
candles” with our Coconut Wax Essential Oil Candles. They contain essential oils
that support anything from relaxation to energy. And because essential oils are
naturally potent, you don’t even need to light the wick to enjoy its alluring scent.
Have a natural deodorant with “fragrance?” Sorry. It’s not natural. Try our
aluminum-free deodorant at Truly’s Natural Deodorant made with only organic
coconut oil, organic powdered sugar, baking soda, and beeswax. Enjoy it unscented
or in our Creamsicle scent using essential oils that will whisk you into summer.
Seeking a safe deodorant for your kids? Read our blog on Deodorant for Kids and
see how we’re making mommies happy everywhere!

Additional Sources
https://www.youngliving.com/blog/how-to- use-essential- oils/
https://crunchybetty.com/best-essential- oils/