Fragrance allergies are more common than you might think. It’s thought around 1% of adults suffer from severe allergies to perfume products, while around 19% of people experience some adverse health reactions. This is hardly surprising. A typical fragrance can include hundreds of individual chemicals, with many of these not being listed on the label instead. Struggling to find a women’s perfume that won’t lead to itchy skin and an acne breakout? Read on for a snapshot guide on what to look out for when selecting a fragrance for your skin type.
Scents Smell Different on Different People
Are you and a friend using the same fragrance? There’s a good chance that these scents smell differently on each of you. Why? It’s nothing to do with one of you being more liberal with the applicator. In fact, it’s all down to body chemistry and skin health. The pH balance of your skin can have a dramatic impact on the scent profile of the fragrance you’re using. Meanwhile, those with oiler complexions will likely find that their perfume of choice lingers long after the first application.
Fragrances for Oily Skin
Is your skin on the oily side? You’ll need to think carefully about applying any sort of cosmetic to your skin, let alone misting on fragrance. When it does come to selecting a new scent, oil skin tends to fare better with oriental scents. These fragrances typically include ingredients like jasmine and vanilla, which provide sweet-smelling and long-lasting results. If you’ve spent a little more on a high-quality eau de parfum, this means you’ll spend less time reapplying your preferred fragrance throughout the day, minimising the chance of irritation and allergic reactions. If you prefer a more zesty aroma, look for products that are rich in citrus notes.
Fragrances for Dry Skin
Dealing with dry skin? Avoid products laden with citrus ingredients and stick to heavier notes instead. Floral scents like La Vie Est Belle by Lancôme are a good shout if you’re a dry skin sufferer. Subtle notes of jasmine will endure throughout the day, meaning you won’t have to worry about constant reapplication.
That being said, not all floral scents are a good fit for dry skin. In oil form, lavender can help cleanse the epidermis and reduce inflammation. However, when spritzed onto your skin in spray form, you run the risk of aggravating sensitive skin. Another thing you’ll need to consider is the alcohol content of your go-to scent. A typical fragrance contains upwards of 70% alcohol by volume. If your skin is particularly dry, it’s a good idea to avoid spraying your fragrance directly onto exposed skin, especially when combined with other skincare products.
Fragrances for Combination Skin
Some of us are unlucky enough to have to deal with combination skin. You may have normal skin interspersed with dry patches or a problematic oily T-zone that makes picking cosmetics a challenge. If you tend to apply your fragrance to oilier areas of skin, go for a lighter scent that pops with citrus notes and hints of vanilla. If your skin is peppered with dry patches, a heavier fragrance is the way to go.