Safecosmetics.org in conjunction with Environmental Working Group just released the results of their latest fragrance safety study, specifically as it relates to colognes and perfumes. The outcome? Those sweet smells can be toxic!
Growing up I never paid too much attention to the various synthetic fragrances that surrounded me. We were fairly outdoorsy, so my exposure to cologne and perfume was limited to shopping excursions and friends’ houses. I developed a candle addiction in college and remember frequent visits to Pier One or Yankee Candle company to purchase baskets full of the newest scent. When I met my husband, he warned me that he was allergic to anything that had a fragrance, be that lotion, perfume, candles, plugins, whatever. So out went the candles and fragrance-filled lotions that adorned my bathroom closet. It’s a shame to have to cast something away, but of course, when someone you love has any particular need, it’s never a question of whether or not to help them become more comfortable at home. Whether it had been perfume, cotton or nuts, it would’ve gone. I’m happy to live without it, as there are plenty of other luxuries, from a long summer holiday to Seventy-Seven Diamonds, to keep someone perfectly content. Years later, my daughter was born and I began living a greener lifestyle in an effort to give her the healthiest start possible. And now I have both my husband and daughter to thank for encouraging me to stop my fragrance habit – it very well may have saved our health!
A study conducted by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the Environmental Working Group found that 17 of the top fragrances contained 38 secret chemicals!
Gross!
Here are their findings as to which fragrance had the most chemicals:
American Eagle Seventy-Seven – 24
Chanel Coco – 18
Britney Spears Curious – 17
Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio – 17
Old Spice After Hours Body Spray – 16
Quicksilver – 16
Calvin Klein Eternity for Men – 15
Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry-Blossom – 14
Calvin Klein Eternity for Women – 14
Halle by Halle Berry – 13
Hannah Montana Secret Celebrity – 13
Victoria’s Secret Dream Angels Wish – 13
Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce – 11
Jennifer Lopez J. Lo Glow – 11
AXE Body Spray for Men: Shock – 10
Clinque Happy – 9
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue – 7
Keep in mind that if you are wearing these perfumes and colognes, you may be off-gassing toxic chemicals for your baby or child to inhale. Children are more susceptible to the effects of toxins in their environment due to their small size and rapid rate of development. Read more at SafeCosmetics.org – Are There Hazardous Chemicals in Your Perfume or Cologne??? You can also take action by signing a petition to remove toxic chemicals from celebrity scents.
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