Subtle Scents

I had to tell her that there are chemicals that makes fragrances stick to the body. Those chemicals are called phthalates (Pronounced: Fe-thal-ates). They come in many forms such as DBP, DEHP, DiNB. They are used to dissolve raw materials when making fragrance oils and they also act as a binding agent for the fragrance. They are also used in plastics and other materials, but let’s just focus on their role in fragrances here.

Phthalates are often labeled as just “fragrance” within the ingredient list of a product. They hold scent, which is why they are used in everything from body care products such as lotions and soaps to laundry and dishwashing products. Inhalation is a significant route of exposure. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, meaning they mess with the body’s natural hormone system. They can alter reproductive development and cause male fertility issues. Studies have also linked phthalates to a long list of ailments: asthma, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, breast cancer, obesity and type II diabetes, low IQ, neurodevelopmental issues, behavioral issues and autism spectrum disorders. Pregnant women and fetuses seems to be especially at risk and are more susceptible to environmental exposures.

After I had told the customer all of this, she recalled a visit with her sister who was pregnant at the time. Her sister handed her a washcloth and asked her to wash off her fragrance. Her sister never said why, but during our conversation, my customer deduced that because her sister was a doctor she knew that her fetus was especially at risk to the air-borne phthalates.

We have all encountered that person whose aroma hovers around them like a cloud and then clings to the air long after they are gone. Sometimes it can be like an assault on personal space. I believe that a fragrance should be applied subtly so that only the individual can enjoy it — and possibly their intimate partner — in private. A scented soap does just that. In fact, when my significant other was nuzzling my neck recently, he asked what I was wearing. “The rose soap from Tropical Bath and Body,” I replied. It was just enough for him to notice, and not enough to overwhelm my coworkers.

Two weeks before this customer call, I had a gone to a concert with friend who is extremely sensitive to perfumes. When the late-comers were allowed to be seated, a couple sat in front of us. Immediately my friend began sniffling and complaining because of the fragrance that the woman was wearing. However, my nose could faintly detect the floral scent amongst the others. Proof that some people have extreme intolerances that we should be mindful of.

Commercial fragrances can also cause irritation and skin disorders. I have another friend who loves scented lotions and candles. One Christmas she asked for gifts from a chain that specializes in those two products. My friend developed what appeared to be eczema on her arms, but she couldn’t figure out why. After switching to lotions made primarily with natural ingredients, her eczema disappeared and did not return.

Related posts:

Opportunities are fickle. It’s challenging to ascertain how to retrieve the right opportunities and what really is the right opportunity. We naturally want to take advantage of opportunities as they…

Abusive relationships don’t begin with bruises. If they did, it would probably be a whole lot easier for people to plan to leave. The reality is that relationships transform over a period of time…