Is Fragrance Bad for Teen Skin?
When it comes to skincare, the teenage years are a critical time to instil healthy habits with the right skincare products. Hormonal changes, breakouts, and the pressure to look good on social media can drive teens to experiment with every product on the shelf—especially the ones that are affordable or smell and look cute. But here’s the truth: fragrance in skincare ain’t your friend!
Let’s break it down further…
Why Teens should Avoid Fragrance in Skincare
One thing that most dermatologists will agree on is that we should ALL be avoiding fragrance in skincare and personal care products wherever possible (see our interview with a dermatologist for teen skin here . Fragrance is one of the leading culprits when it comes to allergic reactions, irritation and sensitivities. So, why is this even more important for tweens and teens? Tweens haven’t had a lot of exposure to skincare ingredients and often have more sensitive skin, and teens are already dealing with inflammation and excess oil (thanks hormones!), so skin will naturally be more reactive to potential irritants.
Applying skincare and cosmetics with fragrance can lead to:
- Redness
- Itching or burning
- Breakouts
- Long-term sensitisation (your skin becomes more sensitive in general and starts reacting to things it would previously tolerate)
Allergies to fragrance are also becoming more common including headaches, nausea and dizziness. Personally, I’ve never been a perfume girl as a result of all the above. I’ve avoided the fragrance section in department stores for years as I’ll often end up with feelings of nausea, ongoing sneezing and a cracking headache when exposed to too much fragrance.
Fragrance Can Mean Anything
When you see the word fragrance on a skincare label it could mean anything - literally! Fragrances can be made up of hundreds of various ingredients and legally, cosmetic companies aren’t required to disclose what’s in their “fragrance”—it’s considered a trade secret. Put simply, one word can actually be hiding hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, many of which may be synthetic, hormone-disrupting, or irritating.
Fragrance Does Nothing for Teen Skin Health
Unlike active ingredients like hyaluronic acid or soothing Aloe Vera that actually support and nourish the skin, fragrance offers zero benefits to your skin’s health. It’s added purely for the sensory experience.
It Can Disrupt the Skin Barrier
Skin barrier health is a bit of a buzz word in the beauty world, and for good reason. More than just a trending beauty topic, the skin’s barrier is actually very important for your skin and overall health. Your skin’s barrier is your body’s natural defence system - keeping good things in and bad stuff out. During the teen years, skin is often under stress with hormonal acne and out of balance oil production, so the last thing it needs is further irritation. Applying skincare that contains fragrance is likely to weaken the skin’s barrier further, making it more vulnerable to irritation and inflammation.
The Best Skincare for Tween and Teen Skin
It’s hard to convince tweens and teens to skip beauty trends and focus on simple, gentle skincare, so it’s best to simplify what they should be looking out for. Makeup is a whole other beast that is often experimental through teen years, so it’s best to choose your battles and focus on skincare first. Educate your tween and teen to look out for the following ingredients on labels:
- Fragrance/Parfum
- Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben)
- Unnecessary active ingredients such as Vitamin A
Look for the below statements on skincare labels:
- Fragrance Free
- Paraben Free
- Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores)
- Cruelty Free (if this is of importance to your teen)
- Stick to quality, reputable brands that focus on skin health, not just trends
The Difference between Fragrance and Essential Oils
Fragrance and essential oils can both smell good, but they’re pretty different in terms of how they’re made, what they’re used for, and how natural they are.
While Fragrance is made from synthetic or a blend of synthetic and natural ingredients, essential oils are pure, natural extracts distilled from flowers, leaves and plants. Put simply, they both deliver fragrance in beauty products - however essential oils are from a natural source and can also offer therapeutic benefits.
At SKINtween we will always advocate for natural ingredients, however when it comes to tween skin and essential oils we suggest that you proceed with caution. Whilst natural - essential oils are complex mixtures that can offer skin and therapeutic benefits, but at the same time can also cause irritation.
If you are considering a product with essential oils for your tween we strongly recommend patch testing on the body and the jawline prior to full use. This is particularly important if your tween suffers from allergies to food or plants. It’s also really important to avoid the delicate eye area when using cleansers or applying moisturisers that contain essential oils.
To be on the safe side, keep things clean, fragrance free and simple for tweens - the less ingredients the better! Reach for our 2 step Everyday Essentials Tween Skin Bundle. This everyday essentials set is formulated with clean, nourishing ingredients and free from harsh active ingredients, fragrance and essential oils. Infused with lightweight super hydrators and soothing sidekicks you’ll enjoy clean and hydrated skin minus the irritation and greasy residue.