Fragrance-Free Skincare
Fragrance-free skincare, checked against the full ingredient list rather than the claim on the front of the pack.
Why some people avoid fragrance
Fragrance is the most common cause of allergic reactions to cosmetics. A single "parfum" on a label can stand for dozens of scent chemicals, and an allergy, once it develops, tends to last.
That does not make fragrance harmful for everyone: most people use it without problems. But if you have sensitive skin, eczema, rosacea or a known fragrance allergy, leaving it out of the products you use every day removes one likely trigger.
How we check
We count a product as fragrance-free only when its ingredient list shows no fragrance (parfum), no essential oils and none of the fragrance allergens that UK and EU labels must declare, such as limonene and linalool. That is stricter than many "fragrance-free" claims, which can still include essential oils. We go only by the ingredient list, so we leave out lists that look cut short. Of the 860 products we have full lists for, 490 qualify.
Fragrance-Free Moisturisers for Sensitive Skin
Fragrance is one of the most common triggers for reactive skin. These moisturisers list no fragrance, essential oils or fragrance allergens and no drying alcohol, and most add soothing ingredients.
Gentle Cleansers
A gentle cleanser removes dirt and makeup without stripping the skin barrier. These list no fragrance and skip the harsher sulfate surfactants (sodium lauryl and laureth sulfate).
Fragrance-Free Serums
Serums sit on the skin all day, so fragrance in them is worth avoiding if your skin reacts easily. These list no fragrance, essential oils or fragrance allergens, and no drying alcohol.
Fragrance-Free Face Sunscreens
Sunscreen goes on every day, so it is one of the best places to cut fragrance. These face sunscreens list no fragrance, essential oils or fragrance allergens.