Is Your Perfume Safe?

Linalool is generally safe in perfume for most people, but it is one of the 26 fragrance allergens the EU requires to be labelled because oxidised linalool can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. It is found naturally in lavender, bergamot, and rosewood.

Coumarin is safe in perfume at regulated levels and is one of the 26 EU-labelled fragrance allergens. It gives tonka bean and many fougère fragrances their sweet, hay-like warmth. It is restricted by IFRA but poses no risk to most people in finished perfume.

Ambroxan is one of the safest and least allergenic materials in modern perfumery. It is a synthetic, sustainable replacement for natural ambergris, is not an EU-labelled allergen, and is not IFRA-restricted. It gives Dior Sauvage and many modern fragrances their warm, skin-like 'glow'.

Oakmoss is safe at strictly-regulated levels but is one of the most heavily IFRA-restricted materials in perfumery because it is a significant allergen. It is the classic base of chypre fragrances. Modern versions use low-atranol oakmoss to reduce the sensitising compounds.

Iso E Super is a low-allergen synthetic woody-amber molecule that is generally safe in perfume and only mildly IFRA-restricted. It gives a smooth, velvety, 'cashmere wood' radiance and is the backbone of Le Labo Santal 33 and Molecule 01.

Vanillin is generally safe in perfume and is one of the most-loved sweet base notes. It is a mild potential allergen for a small number of people but is not heavily restricted. It is the molecule responsible for the warm, sweet, comforting smell of vanilla.