Fragrance & dye free
Why fragrance is the leading cause of cosmetic skin reactions, where it hides on labels, and who should go without.
Fragrance and eczema: what the research actually shows
Is fragrance allergy more common with eczema? The studies are more nuanced than the advice. What the evidence says and why fragrance-free still makes sense.
Scented laundry products: how fragrance ends up on your skin
Laundry fragrance is engineered to survive the wash and cling to fabric that touches you all day. What the research says about dryer sheets, softeners and skin reactions.
Who should choose fragrance-free products (and who doesn’t need to)?
Eczema, sensitive skin, babies, hand dermatitis and known fragrance allergy are the clearest reasons to go fragrance-free. What Canadian and US dermatology groups advise.
Where fragrance hides on an ingredient list (and how to spot it)
“Parfum” can stand for dozens of chemicals, and fragrance also hides behind essential oils, plant extracts and masking agents. The words to look for on Canadian labels.
Dyes in soaps, lotions and detergents: do they matter for your skin?
Colourants in skin care and laundry rarely cause allergy compared with fragrance. Learn where the real dye allergy comes from and why dye-free can still make sense.
Why “natural” fragrance and essential oils can irritate skin too
Essential oils are still fragrance. Learn how limonene and linalool turn into allergens once a bottle is opened, and why tea tree and lavender oils cause reactions.
Limonene and linalool: why old fragrance can bite harder
Limonene and linalool are mild on their own but turn into stronger allergens when air oxidizes them. How that happens, what patch-test data shows, and what it means for your shelf.
Fragrance allergy explained: how it starts and where it shows up
Fragrance is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis. Learn how sensitization happens, what patch tests look for and which body sites react most.
Masking fragrance: the scent that hides a scent
Why a product that smells of nothing can still contain fragrance: what masking agents are, why companies add them, how Canadian labels show them, and how to check.
The fragrance allergens on your label, one by one
Canada now names specific fragrance allergens on cosmetic labels, using the EU’s list. What those names are, how they group into families, and why these ones were chosen.
Fragrance-free vs unscented: why they aren’t the same thing
“Unscented” products can still contain a masking fragrance. Learn what each label means in Canada, why it matters for reactive skin and how to read the ingredient list.