A few years back when I stopped using commercial products, shampoos, detergents and processed cosmetics, I noticed something. My house smelled like…. people lived in it. At times it sort of smells like the dinner I cooked last night. Or we would all be highly aware that the garbage should be taken out. Now I diffuse essential oils into the air so there’s a rich healing aroma in each room. What I DIDN’T smell was air fresheners, scented soaps and lotions, shampoos and hairsprays, or the fake lemon scent of dishsoap or fake ‘jasmine’ in the clothes detergent.
I started wondering what makes all those things smell. I stopped using them and switched to natural alternatives because of the ingredients, but what I didn’t consider is which of those ingredients are supposed to make them ‘pleasing’ to the nostrils. And to be honest, now that our house is rid of those products, they all give me headaches or make my nose burn when I’m around them!
One of the main products I was curious about it Perfume. What IS perfume? Is it crushed up flowers and sunshine? Uhhh… NO. Did you know there’s no regulation for what goes into perfumes and colognes?! How is that even permissible! UGH! It’s so infuriating.
Here’s a list of 20 ingredients in scented products, taken from THIS site
1. ACETONE (in: cologne, dishwashing liquid and detergent, nail enamel remover)
On EPA, RCRA, CERCLA Hazardous Waste lists. “Inhalation can cause dryness of the mouth and throat; dizziness, nausea, incoordination, slurred speech, drowsiness, and, in severe exposures, coma.” “Acts primarily as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant.”
2. BENZALDEHYDE (in: perfume, cologne, hairspray, laundry bleach, deodorants, detergent, vaseline lotion, shaving cream, shampoo, bar soap, dishwasher detergent)
Narcotic. Sensitizer. “Local anesthetic, CNS depressant”… “irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, lungs, and GI tract, causing nausea and abdominal pain.” “May cause kidney damage.” “Do not use with contact lenses.”
3. BENZYL ACETATE (in: perfume, cologne, shampoo, fabric softener, stickup air freshener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, soap, hairspray, bleach, after shave, deodorants)
Carcinogenic (linked to pancreatic cancer); “From vapors: irritating to eyes and respiratory passages, exciting cough.” “In mice: hyperanemia of the lungs.” “Can be absorbed through the skin causing systemic effects.” “Do not flush to sewer.”
4. BENZYL ALCOHOL (in: perfume, cologne, soap, shampoo, nail enamel remover, air freshener, laundry bleach and detergent, vaseline lotion, deodorants, fabric softener)
“irritating to the upper respiratory tract” …”headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, CNS depression, and death in severe cases due to respiratory failure.”
5. CAMPHOR (in: perfume, shaving cream, nail enamel, fabric softener, dishwasher detergent, nail color, stickup air freshener)
“local irritant and CNS stimulant” …”readily absorbed through body tissues” …”irritation of eyes, nose and throat” …”dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles and convulsions” “Avoid inhalation of vapors.”
6. ETHANOL (in: perfume, hairspray, shampoo, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, laundry detergent, shaving cream, soap, vaseline lotion, air fresheners, nail color and remover, paint and varnish remover)
On EPA Hazardous Waste list; symptoms: “…fatigue; irritating to eyes and upper respiratory tract even in low concentrations…” “Inhalation of ethanol vapors can have effects similar to those characteristic of ingestion. These include an initial stimulatory effect followed by drowsiness, impaired vision, ataxia, stupor…” Causes CNS disorder.
7. ETHYL ACETATE (in: after shave, cologne, perfume, shampoo, nail color, nail enamel remover, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid)
Narcotic. On EPA Hazardous Waste list; “…irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract” …”may cause headache and narcosis (stupor)” …”defatting effect on skin and may cause drying and cracking” …”may cause anemia with leukocytosis and damage to liver and kidneys” “Wash thoroughly after handling.”
8. LIMONENE (in: perfume, cologne, disinfectant spray, bar soap, shaving cream, deodorants, nail color and remover, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid, air fresheners, after shave, bleach, paint and varnish remover)
Carcinogenic. “Prevent its contact with skin or eyes because it is an irritant and sensitizer.” “Always wash thoroughly after using this material and before eating, drinking, …applying cosmetics. Do not inhale limonene vapor.”
9. LINALOOL (in: perfume, cologne, bar soap, shampoo, hand lotion, nail enamel remover, hairspray, laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, vaseline lotion, air fresheners, bleach powder, fabric softener, shaving cream, after shave, solid deodorant)
Narcotic. …”respiratory disturbances” … “Attracts bees.” “In animal tests: ataxic gait, reduced spontaneous motor activity and depression … development of respiratory disturbances leading to death.” …”depressed frog-heart activity.” Causes CNS disorder.
10. METHYLENE CHLORIDE (in: shampoo, cologne, paint and varnish remover)
Banned by the FDA in 1988! No enforcement possible due to trade secret laws protecting chemical fragrance industry. On EPA, RCRA, CERCLA Hazardous Waste lists. “Carcinogenic” …”Absorbed, stored in body fat, it metabolizes to carbon monoxide, reducing oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.” “Headache, giddiness, stupor, irritability, fatigue, tingling in the limbs.” Causes CNS disorder.
11. a-PINENE (in: bar and liquid soap, cologne, perfume, shaving cream, deodorants, dishwashing liquid, air freshener)
Sensitizer (damaging to the immune system).
12. g-TERPINENE (in: cologne, perfume, soap, shaving cream, deodorant, air freshener)
“Causes asthma and CNS disorders.”
13. a-TERPINEOL (in: perfume, cologne, laundry detergent, bleach powder, laundry bleach, fabric softener, stickup air freshener, vaseline lotion, cologne, soap, hairspray, after shave, roll-on deodorant)
…”highly irritating to mucous membranes”… “Aspiration into the lungs can produce pneumonitis or even fatal edema.” Can also cause “excitement, ataxia (loss of muscular coordination), hypothermia, CNS and respiratory depression, and headache.” “Prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact.”
I’m not trying to be paranoid and I wont start wearing masks when I leave the house, but since I spend the majority of my day in my house, I’ve decided that we wont be using products containing these harmful chemicals.
To speculate a bit, I wonder how many of these products contribute to depression? Allergies? Anxiety? Headaches? And maybe even Cancer or chronic illnesses?!!
As an alternative I suggest essential oils. I started wearing an essential oil blend containing ylang ylang, bergamot, jasmine, rosewood, and geranium, to work a few years back. Without fail, every day I wore it I would have someone comment on how pleasant I smelled. They would say they felt peaceful around me or that they felt like I had a happy ‘Aura’. I wish I could say it was just me, but those sorts of comments were scarce on days I went without my essential oils. 
The blend I wore was appropriately named, Joy, through Young Living Oils.
A word of caution! Not all essential oils are equal! If you have a bottle of Lavender from your local grocery store I would be willing to bet more money than I have, that it’s not ‘true’ lavender. In most cases it’s lavandin, which has a similar smell to lavender, but it is actually irritating to the skin and can cause allergic reactions. True lavender has incredible calming powers as well as being antimicrobial and healing. Lavender is SOOO much more than just a pleasant smell! Actually, the other day I was treating my littlest sons diaper rash and I grabbed the burts bees lavender diaper cream that I’ve been using. Before putting it on him, I glanced at the ingredients only to be dissapointed in reading that it contained Lavandin rather than true lavender. So instead I mixed a few drops of Therapeutic Grade Lavender and jojoba oil and coated his little bum with the mixture and within minutes the redness was gone and he was his happy cheery self.
So if you’re considering switching from Victoria Secrets new body mist to a healthier alternative, let me suggest a few options.
For a light, uplifting scent consider
Tangerine
Blue Tansy
Bergamot
Ginger
Orange
LemonGrass
Or here’s some of Young Living’s blends that would fit in that cateragory
Joy
Harmony
Gentle Baby Blend
(I actually really like this scent)
For a Gentle Calming Scent
Lavender
Patchouli (not just for hippies!)
Peppermint
Roman Chamomile
A few Blends in this cateragory
Grounding
Peace and Calming
Hope
Present Time (live in the ‘now’)
For a more sensual, heady aroma
Sandalwood
Frankincense
Copiaba
Galbanum
Rosewood
A few Blends in this Cateragory
Dragon Time
Lady Sclareol
RutaVala
Sensation
For a manly aroma
Cedarwood
Sandalwood
Juniper
Balsam Fir
Copiaba
Pine
Sage
Manly Blends
Evergreen Essence
Mister
Valor
Relieve it
Those are just a FEW of the oils you could wear, or use in your laundry, fragrance free soap, body wash, shampoo…etc. Of course ALL of these oils have more uses than just personal aroma. They are all excellent for emotional, physical and mental purposes. It takes a bit to get used to wearing an essential oil versus a cologne or perfume. It wont be as abrupt and overpowering. I can assure you though, that people will want to know what you’re wearing. They may even be more relaxed or pleasant in your presence!
My favorites are
Sandalwood, Joy, Abundance, DragonTime (LOVE this one) and Lavender
I enjoy mixing different ones to help create a certain mood, or to help alleviate depression, sadness, anxiety or frustration!
So please consider checking out the ingredients in your non-eatable products too! Especially if you have young ones in the house. Babies especially are VERY sensitive to products with harmful ingredients and additives. It makes my heart a little sad thinking that perhaps the reason a child is crying or distraught isn’t simply because they are tired or cutting a new tooth, but perhaps all the chemicals in the air are disturbing to them.
This post is not to shame or berate anyone personally. I merely would like to raise more awareness towards peoples purchases and use of commercial goods! Be informed and be in control!!
