Take a closer look at shampoos with added fragrance
One reason people opt out of products with fragrance is fear that its ingredients may contain phthalates aka the chemicals that give plastics their flexibility. While the FDA maintains phthalates do not “pose known risks for human health,” a report by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states phthalates in hair and skin cosmetics can be absorbed by the body and that “some phthalates are suspected endocrine disruptors,” affecting hormones and metabolism. Studies on the link between phthalates and human health are limited, but one area of concern is for pregnant women: The EPA notes a “handful” of studies that have shown an association between prenatal exposure to phthalates and preterm birth, shorter gestational length, and low birth weight. Rest assured that Prose hair care products are always phthalate-free.
More research is needed to determine the risks of the phthalates—and certainly more transparency is required from cosmetics labels who hide their ingredients behind the bucket term “fragrance.”
Who should use fragrance-free shampoo?
Fragrance is of special concern for certain individuals: “People who have sensitive skin, underlying inflammatory skin conditions such as rosacea, or who already have a contact allergy to other ingredients are best off avoiding fragrance in their hair care,” says Dr. Nazarian. “The risk for them is much higher.”
The good news for clean beauty fragonerds
So you want enchantingly gorgeous-smelling hair without unknown ingredients? Mother Nature has got your back. She’s got a dizzying bounty of essential oils and natural fragrances that, when added to hair care formulations, prove going fragrance-free definitely doesn’t mean scent-free. For example, Prose’s custom hair oil is naturally scented with almond oil, giving it a light, sweet scent.
“I recommend looking for shampoos that have natural ingredients without necessarily adding perfume,” says Dr. Nazarian. “Some coconut oil shampoos and conditioners have a natural scent that’s super pleasant and has a lower risk of irritation than added perfumes.
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Comments [3]
Isn’t this hypocritical when Prose shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask include the geeneric “fragrance”? Mine were not unscented because the list I saw when I ordered included essential oils. Now that I have received the actual prodicts, they all use the scam of not disclosing fragrance ingredients.
Hi there! Our Pre-Shampoo Hair Mask, Shampoo & Conditioner do not include any predetermined fragrances and can be made fragrance-free or you can choose a scent of your liking. The only products that you cannot choose a fragrance for are our Pre-Shampoo Hair Mask (which is naturally scented with the active ingredients), the Hair Oil (which is only made of natural oils and no fragrance added), and our Dry Shampoo which does not have any scent. If you are unhappy with your products, please send us an email at hello@prose.com and we’d be happy to help further!
-Keely, SEO & Community Manager
I am saddened to have to terminate my shipments. I was so sure that I would get results from the custom made products. I continued to have the itchy scalp & brassy/yellowing of my silver hair. I want to thank you for your company & mission. I am most certain now that I need to contact my local water treatment plant about what exactly is in our local water!? Thank you all for your efforts. I do wish to stop any further shipments. Wish me luck on my journey forward to find a shampoo that works for me. I love having my natural hair color and want to keep is healthy & beautiful.