Our sense of smell plays a huge role in our lives, but there are a few things we should know about it. When and from what can artificial fragrances be made?
Smell is one of our most important senses. A familiar smell can bring back memories, pulling us out of the space-time continuum and transporting us back to the past. This fascinating and often underestimated sense can have an unintended effect on our mood and behaviour. It is a major contributor to our sense of taste and plays a key role in shaping our overall quality of life - so much so that loss of smell can lead to loss of appetite and even depression. The importance of smell is shown by the fact that since the 14th century we have been experimenting with the production and use of artificial perfumes to scent our bodies, clothes and homes: all to improve our quality of life.But at what price?The multi-billion dollar marketing of the detergent industry may contribute to the plethora of synthetic fragrances we use in all aspects of our lives, but these pleasant scents are not always good for our health. The effects of the chemicals in fragrances on our bodies are not as spectacular as the immediate emotional reactions they trigger. Artificial fragrances permeate every aspect of our lives: we use perfume to dress up an outfit, to seduce and make us feel better, we use air fresheners to make our homes feel more homely, lavender sprays to help us fall asleep at night, mint-scented shower gel to wake up in the morning and floral cleaning products to keep our homes smelling fresh and clean. However, these products can sometimes use synthetic imitations of fragrances instead of real fragrances - but are we aware of the health effects of these substances? Fragrant risksSynthetic sprays, air fresheners, sprays and other artificial fragrances have been proven to cause sneezing, respiratory problems, allergies, headaches and skin irritation. Shockingly, a single fragrance product can contain up to 3000 different toxic components. One of the most common of these is phthalates - toxic chemicals that are responsible for the lingering scent of a product. A long-lasting fragrance is an important consideration for consumers, because the more you spend on a product, the longer you want to enjoy it, right? However, it is also worth bearing in mind that the health risks posed by phthalates, which are abundant in our favourite products, are quite serious and alarming. They can cause cancers, reproductive imbalances, developmental and birth defects, respiratory problems.Is there anything good in it?Unfortunately, not really... Research shows that 95% of the chemicals used to make synthetic fragrances are made from crude oil. The components of these compounds can irritate the nose, throat and lungs, causing dizziness, drowsiness, loss of coordination, fatigue and many other frightening symptoms. So why do we still use these toxic products? Good question. But you can read here about the difference between synthetic and natural fragrances.
Don't be fooled
"Fragrance-free" products are very popular these days, but is "fragrance-free" fragrance-free? Don't be fooled! Manufacturers are not required to clearly and unambiguously state what ingredients are used in their products, so we often see phrases like "surfactant", "soap", "fragrance", but we don't know exactly what compound it is and from what source. Products claiming to be fragrance-free may also contain phthalates, benzene derivatives, aldehydes and other harmful compounds. A "fragrance-free" claim may also mean that no artificial fragrances have been used in the product, but the word "fragrance-free" means that a deodorising fragrance has been used to mask all other artificial odours in the product. It is worth educating ourselves about similar misleading terms so that we can make informed choices to choose natural solutions.Really naturalMost synthetic fragrances contain chemicals that are harmful to health. In an age of greenwashing and deliberately misleading advertising, finding a truly natural product is a major challenge. Fortunately, you no longer have to worry about household cleaning products, as CYCLE 's products are made from 100% natural ingredients and only essential oils are used for fragrance. This means you can be sure that your family will not come into contact with petroleum derivatives and other harmful chemicals when you clean your home with CYCLE products. That's no small thing! You can find CYCLE All Purpose cleaners, toilet cleaners and bathroom cleaners in our online store.
