When trying a skincare product out, one of the first things that draws you in is the scent. A soothing lavender, a refreshing burst of citrus or a comforting sweetness of vanilla can make you feel like you’re treating yourself to something special. But… have you ever stopped to think about what is behind these scents?

Here at Sun & Moo, we choose to leave synthetic fragrances out of our products and here is why…

What Is Really in a Synthetic Fragrance?

One of the most concerning aspects of synthetic fragrances is the lack of transparency. Companies are only required to list "fragrance" or "parfum" on their ingredient list, without revealing the dozens, sometimes even hundreds of chemicals that make up said "ingredient". This means that as a consumer, there's no way of knowing exactly what you're putting on your skin.

A group of well-known chemicals present in synthetic fragrances are phthalates, which are often used to make scents last longer. Phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that have been shown to negatively impact the reproductive, neurological and developmental systems of the human body [1]. 

Then there are parabens, which are preservatives used to increase the shelf life of products. Research suggests that parabens can disrupt hormones, harm fertility and reproductive organs, affect birth outcomes and increase the risk of cancer [2].

Synthetic fragrances can also be irritating to the skin. If you have experienced redness, itching or even breakouts from using products with “fragrance” or “parfum” listed as an ingredient, this could be why. 

The purpose of sharing this information is not to alarm you, rather to inform you. We deserve to have all of the facts before deciding on what we put in and on our bodies! 

Why We Focus on All-Natural Ingredients 

When we decided to start making skincare products, we knew we wanted them to be as safe and gentle as possible. This meant making the decision to avoid all questionable ingredients, including synthetic fragrances. Besides, our products smell amazing without them!

Any subtle aroma you notice comes from all-natural ingredients. Our tallow gives off a sweet and nutty aroma *naturally* that is absolutely divine. Some other ingredients we use have incredible aromas all on their own, like frankincense. Also, we infuse our oils with organic herbs and flowers which make our products smell even more luxurious. 

The Clear One is loaded with infused organic herbs and flowers and it smells like a dream in a garden. It also works wonders on acne-prone skin and helps to support the skin barrier!

 

At the end of the day, our commitment to all-natural ingredients is about more than just making quality skincare products, it is about making safe products that you can trust. We want you to feel good about what you're using on your skin, knowing that it’s free from questionable ingredients.

Remember, that just because something smells good doesn’t mean it's necessarily good for you. Now you know what to keep an eye out for when you’re shopping for skincare products!


References

  1. Phthalates and Their Impacts on Human Health - PMC (nih.gov)
  2. What Are Parabens, and Why Don’t They Belong in Cosmetics? | Environmental Working Group (ewg.org)
September 12, 2024 — Maxine Nathan, BS Biology, NTP