Fragrance (parfum)

What it is

A blend of scent ingredients the maker does not have to itemise in the US; the single word can stand for dozens of compounds. 'Fragrance-free' means none added; 'unscented' can mean a masking fragrance was used to cover a smell.

Fragrances: Fragrance ingredients give a product its scent, from a single essential oil to a blend listed only as 'fragrance' or 'parfum'.

Wikidata: A substance, extract, or preparation for diffusing or imparting an agreeable or attractive smell, especially a fluid such as alcohol containing essential oils and/or aroma compounds. Q131746 →

In the research

2,328 PubMed papers mention it with skin, cosmetics or hair; the three most recent:

• Synthetic musks as food contaminants: a comprehensive review of toxicity, analytical challenges, occurrence, and risk assessments · Food science and biotechnology, 2026
• RIFM Natural Complex Substance (NCS) fragrance ingredient safety assessment, palmarosa oil, CAS Registry Number 8014-19-5, RIFM ID 418-E2.12 · Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the Britis, 2026
• RIFM fragrance ingredient safety assessment, 1,3-dioxane, 2-(2,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-yl)-5-methyl-5-(1-methylpropyl)-, CAS Registry Number 117933-89-8 · Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the Britis, 2026

A paper is a paper, not a verdict: titles are listed so you can read them, and a study on cells or mice says little about a cream on a face.