As a Senior Chemist at the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab, I spend a lot of time reviewing cosmetic packaging. Recently, I started noticing a new claim popping up on personal care products like body washes and lotions as well as perfumes: “hypoallergenic fragrance.” Since fragrance is one of the most common causes of contact dermatitis, the claim immediately made me wonder: Can fragrance be hypoallergenic?
The more I looked into it, the more I realized the answer wasn’t as straightforward as I thought. Fragrance isn’t a single ingredient; it’s a complex mixture of dozens or even hundreds of compounds. What I discovered went beyond a single marketing claim. It pointed to a broader shift toward fragrance transparency that could help consumers make more informed purchasing decisions.
Fragrance and skin allergies
While most people can use fragranced products without any issues, some fragrance ingredients can trigger contact dermatitis in certain individuals. The National Eczema Association reports that “almost 20% of the general population is sensitized to at least one allergen, and fragrance is one of the most frequently cited substances causing reactions.”
According to Daniel Razzano, M.D., a physician at Orlando Health Physician Associates in Orlando, Florida, dermatitis or skin inflammation often appears as a red and scaly rash and can cause blisters in severe cases. “Most of these rashes are itchy and can produce a burning sensation,” he says, adding that often patients discover their potential allergy based on patterns of symptoms that appear when they are exposed to a particular fragrance a few times.
If you suspect you have a fragrance allergy, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider or dermatologist to determine what's causing your reaction.
For those with fragrance allergies, identifying the specific allergen ingredient/s can be important to prevent future reactions but that isn’t always easy. Fragrances are complex mixtures that can contain dozens or even hundreds of individual compounds, yet in the US those ingredients generally do not have to be listed individually on cosmetic labels. Rather, they can appear under the umbrella term of “fragrance” or “parfum.” According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the exact composition is generally considered a trade secret to protect proprietary formulations. For consumers with fragrance allergies, the lack of ingredient transparency can make shopping more challenging, not knowing if a product contains an ingredient they need to avoid.
What is “hypoallergenic fragrance”?
“Hypoallergenic” often indicates that a brand has attempted to exclude ingredients that can potentially cause skin allergies for some individuals. In this case, “hypoallergenic fragrance” suggests that a brand has attempted to formulate without known or suspected fragrance allergens.
“Hypoallergenic fragrances are formulated in accordance with established standards according to the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) and safety and compliance teams ensure that all formulas adhere to IFRA and regional regulations,” says Christina Christie, Senior Perfumer at Givaudan Fragrance Corporation. It “primarily involves following strict formulation guidelines and avoiding or limiting the use of ingredients known to be potential allergens.”
In other words, the goal is to create fragrances by thoughtfully selecting ingredients with a lower likelihood of causing skin reactions, while still delivering the desired scent.
However, there is no government oversight of this claim in the United States and no standard definition of “hypoallergenic” or “hypoallergenic fragrance.” Brands typically set their own definition for the term and the meaning can vary from one brand to another, which adds another level of confusion for those with fragrance allergens. And it is important to note that the claim is not a guarantee that the product won’t cause a reaction.
Europe is rolling out expanded fragrance allergen labeling requirements
The European Union (EU) has introduced cosmetic labeling requirements that are making fragrance allergens more transparent for consumers. In 2023, the EU significantly expanded the number of fragrance allergens that must be individually listed on the ingredient label when present above specified concentrations. The amendment adds 56 known fragrance allergens to the original list of 26.
Although the regulation went into effect in 2023, brands were given a transition period. As of July 31, 2026, new products placed on the EU market must comply with the expanded fragrance allergen labeling requirements. Products already on the market have until July 31, 2028 to comply.
While these requirements apply to products sold in the EU, the US FDA has also proposed similar fragrance allergen labeling requirements under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA). However, the proposed rule has been delayed since 2024 and has not been finalized.
One point I think is important to emphasize is these labeling requirements are not banning the use of these ingredients or suggesting them as inherently unsafe for everyone. Rather, they are intended to help consumers, especially those with known fragrance allergies, navigate product choices more confidently. It could also make fragrance more accessible. Instead of simply avoiding all fragrances, some people with known fragrance allergies may be able to identify products formulated without their specific triggering ingredients.
Some US brands are already getting more transparent
With the EU rolling out expanded requirements and the US potentially following suit, I am already noticing more brands talking about fragrance allergens and ingredient transparency.
Within the personal care space, I’ve noticed some brands claiming “hypoallergenic fragrances” and are limiting the fragrance ingredients they use in their products. Aveeno’s Sensitive Skin Scents line and Native’s Sensitive Skin Series explain that the “hypoallergenic fragrance” claim means it is formulated without known fragrance allergens. The exact allergens vary by the brands’ internal definition and Aveeno’s website also claims that it has a screening process and standards for the fragrances it uses in these products.
Fragrance brands like Havyn, Henry Rose, and Skylar are also taking fragrance allergens a step further and going in a more meaningful direction by disclosing the entire fragrance ingredient lists for transparency. Because product packaging has limited space, these details are often provided on the brand website.
Key takeaway
I want to stress again that none of this means fragrance is inherently bad or that everyone should avoid scented products. Most people can use fragranced cosmetics without any issues. But for those with fragrance allergies or sensitivities, the greater transparency can make it easier to identify products that may work for them or avoid the ingredients that can trigger a reaction. At the end of the day, I believe the more meaningful approach is disclosing fragrance allergens on cosmetic labels, similar to the EU regulations, and I hope the US moves forward with similar requirements. It can help empower consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions, an approach I can certainly stand behind.
