Clearing the Air: The Important Difference Between Parfum and Fragrance in Skincare

We need to clear something up about those scents in your skincare: parfum and fragrance are NOT created equal. While both add a nice aroma, their strength and what they're actually made of can have very different effects, especially on the delicate skin of your face. 

Decoding the Scent: Potency and Formulation

The amount of a scent in your skincare and what’s actually in the scent can impact your skin significantly, especially if you're on the sensitive side.

Parfums are heavy hitters. They're extremely concentrated, often consisting of 15-30% aromatic compounds, formulated to have a complex and long-lasting scent. To achieve this staying power and intensity, perfumers utilize a wide array of aromatic ingredients, both natural (like essential oils and absolutes) and synthetic (designed to mimic or enhance natural scents). While these blends smell beautiful, that sheer concentration on your delicate facial skin can be overwhelming, increasing the chance of reactions like redness or itching. Some of these compounds, contain constituents that can act as irritants, allergens, or even photosensitizers when exposed to sunlight.

Fragrances in skincare, however, especially in medical-grade products, take a much more skin-conscious approach. They are typically significantly lighter, with aroma concentrations often below 1%. These subtle scents don't linger as intensely or as long because they strategically use fewer aroma molecules and in smaller amounts. These molecules are often chosen for their lighter weight and lower volatility, so they evaporate more readily and don't penetrate as deeply or concentrated, minimizing irritation. And because medical-grade skincare often opts for nature-identical isolates or specific components of essential oils known for their mildness, the overall scent formulation can actually enhance the product's intended skin benefit without causing adverse reactions.

The difference boils down to this: the formulation of parfums often prioritizes the olfactory experience, which can unfortunately disrupt the skin's natural barrier leading to reactions, irritation, and potentially exacerbating preexisting conditions, while the goal of fragrance is a pleasant scent that respects your skin's delicate balance.

Why the Smell? Function in Fragrance

So why bother adding scents at all?

When it comes to parfums, the entire point is crafting a specific scent experience - yes, even in skincare, because nobody wants to use a product that smells bad! Think about those beautiful bottles on your vanity; the notes are carefully layered to create a mood. But that same intensity? Not so great when it's lurking in your facial serum, where the primary goal is to nourish and treat your skin.

Unlike parfums, fragrances in skincare often serve a dual purpose, going beyond just making the product smell nice. While a pleasant scent can definitely enhance your self-care ritual, the fragrances in well-formulated skincare are often chosen strategically to complement the product's intended benefits. For example, a refreshing hint of peppermint in a toner or mist can be invigorating and potentially anti-inflammatory. Similarly, a touch of citrus in a morning cleanser can be energizing, with some citrus extracts also offering brightening properties.

So with fragrance, it's not just about smelling good; fragrance in skincare can actually enhance the product's benefits.

Choosing Your Scents Wisely

If your skin tends to be sensitive and easily irritated, opting for a product without parfum is always the safer bet. If you have concerns or are unsure with a product listing fragrance, ask your esthetician for a better understanding. And if your esthetician recommends a trusted medical-grade product that does have a scent, trust their judgment – these products are formulated very carefully. In fact, many of the medical-grade products we carry at MNA don't even include "fragrance" as a separate ingredient. Instead, any pleasant aroma you notice often comes directly from the beneficial essential oils and plant extracts within the formula, offering their own skin-loving perks! Choose your scents and products wisely!

Best,

Maria