The extensive range of Estee Lauder products, including skin care products like moisturizers, serums, masks, eye cream, and lip care, and makeup accessories such as foundation, concealer, and powders are all scented.
However, eye makeup products like mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow, and some lip makeup products like lip gloss and lipsticks are free of fragrance.
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What are the fragrance ingredients in Estee Lauder?
The fragrance of Estee Lauder cosmetics is often described as fresh and mild. So, what makes up this aroma?
Natural ingredients like hibiscus, moringa, fruit extracts, soybean oil, seed oil, flower extracts, and shea butter contribute to the scent. The many chemicals that go into the products also have their distinctive whiff. However, they are mostly masked by parfum.
Parfum exists in almost all cosmetic products of Estee Lauder, barring a few makeup collections. As the law does not require cosmetic companies to furnish details of their fragrance ingredients, Estee Lauder has bracketed its fragrance recipe as parfum in its products list.
Are the fragrances in Estee Lauder safe?
Scents are used in cosmetics to neutralize the odor of active ingredients. Additionally, pleasant and unique fragrances are a selling point as they are an expression of individuality and a feeling of pleasure for the users.
Diversity in consumer preferences and the corporate’s exclusivity efforts have given rise to hundreds of fragrances in the cosmetic industry today. However, are these fragrances safe for the well-being of the users and the environment?
Talking about Estee Lauder, are the fragrances used in its products safe for you?
Parfum is the listed fragrance ingredient in Estee Lauder cosmetics. So, what is parfum? Well, there isn’t a clear definition. It is a mixture of aromatic compounds and solvents – the mixture could have 30-50 types of chemicals. Sometimes nearly 2000! Some of the commonly found components in parfum are ethanol, camphor, benzyl alcohol, limonene, linalool, ethanol, formaldehyde, and butane.
Well, it is not just the looks that could be deceptive. All that which smells pleasant isn’t always good either. According to the US FDA’s 1991 study, the majority of fragrance ingredients are hazardous to humans and the environment.
The David Suzuki Foundation condemns the use of fragrance chemicals by asserting the fact that most of these are not tested for toxicity. It states that these unlisted chemicals are irritants and contribute to various health issues like allergies, migraines, and respiratory problems. The Foundation also claims that some of the chemicals can cause cancer and disrupt hormones in both men and women.
Since the parfum in Estee Lauder comes into direct contact with your skin, you would face risks of getting skin allergies, contact dermatitis, swelling, dryness, scarring, and sensitization. In severe cases, it could also result in neurological, kidney, liver, and brain issues.
High exposure to parfum among pregnant women could cause birth defects, preterm delivery, endocrine disruption, hormonal imbalance, and breathing difficulties.
Estee Lauder products also bear the odor of natural extracts and chemical compounds. While these are mostly neutralized by parfum, you may experience allergies and irritations if you are intolerant to any of these compounds.
Are fragrances in Estee Lauder safe for sensitive skin?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, fragrance chemicals are the primary cause of most skin issues in the USA. Therefore, if you have sensitive skin, the impact these fragrances could have is simply obvious.
Parfum in Estee Lauder includes hazardous chemicals and alcohol compounds that in fact trigger skin sensitization. If your skin is already sensitive, the condition could worsen. You could witness your skin drying out, breaking out, or developing rashes and itching.
The onset of side effects could be immediate or gradual depending on the severity of your skin condition. To be safe, you could do a patch test before picking your Estee Lauder. You could also consult your dermatologist to be safer.
Are the fragrances in Estee Lauder safe for the respiratory system?
Research has proven that inhalation of fragrance chemicals can have an adverse impact on your respiratory system. It can trigger nose blocks, nasal tract irritation, sneezing, wheezing, asthma, migraine, mood swings, and dizziness.
If there is an existing respiratory issue, the chemicals are most likely to cause aggravation.
Effects of Estee Lauder fragrances on the environment
Estee Lauder has not specified the chemicals that go into the making of its parfum. However, cosmetic companies are known to include hundreds of dangerous chemicals in their mysterious fragrance preparations. These chemicals are not tested for environmental safety – just as they are not tested for human safety.
However, the fragrance chemicals contribute to ecotoxicity. They affect wastewater treatment, resulting in increased algae growth in waterways, and polluting fresh water. Further, the fumes of fragrances are considered greenhouse gases.
References
https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/dirty-dozen-parfum-fragrance/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0273230019300832
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230216296_Fragrance_materials_and_their_environmental_impact
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