Our sense of smell plays a vital role in our lives, but there are a few things we should know about it. When and what can artificial fragrances be made of?
Smell is one of our most important senses. A familiar scent can evoke old memories, taking us out of the space-time continuum and transporting us back in time. This fascinating and often underestimated sense can also influence our mood and behavior without us even realizing it. It contributes greatly to our sense of taste and plays a key role in our overall quality of life – so much so that the loss of smell can cause loss of appetite and even depression. The importance of smell is demonstrated 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 in the name of improving our quality of life.But at what price?The multi-billion dollar cleaning industry’s marketing may also contribute to the abundance 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 dramatic as the immediate emotional reactions they trigger. Artificial scents permeate every aspect of our lives: we use perfume to top off an outfit, to seduce, and to improve our well-being, we use air fresheners to make our homes more homey, we spray lavender to help us fall asleep at night, we wake up with a minty shower gel in the morning, and we clean with floral-scented cleaning products to keep our homes smelling fresh and clean. However, these products may sometimes use synthetic imitations of real fragrances instead of real ones – but are we aware of the effects of these substances on our health?Fragrant risksSynthetic sprays, air fresheners, mists, and other artificial fragrances have been shown to cause sneezing, respiratory problems, allergies, headaches, and skin irritation. It’s shocking that a single product used for fragrance can contain up to 3,000 different toxic components. One of the most common of these is phthalates – toxic chemicals that are responsible for the long-lasting scent of a given product. Long-lasting fragrance is an important consideration for consumers, because the more we spend on a product, the longer we want to enjoy its effects, right? However, it’s also worth keeping in mind that the health risks caused by phthalates, which are abundant in our favorite products, are quite serious and alarming. They can cause cancer, disruption of the reproductive system, developmental and birth defects, and respiratory problems.Is there anything good in it?Unfortunately, not really... Research shows that 95% of the chemicals used to make synthetic fragrances are derived from crude oil. The components of this compound can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs, and can cause dizziness, drowsiness, loss of coordination, fatigue, and many other scary symptoms. Why do we even use these toxic products? Good question. But you can read here about the difference between synthetic and natural fragrances .
Don't be fooled.
“Free” products are very popular these days, but is “fragrance-free” really fragrance-free? Don’t be fooled! Manufacturers are not required to clearly and unambiguously state the ingredients used in their products, so we often see phrases like “surfactant,” “soap,” “fragrance,” but we don’t know exactly what kind of compound it is and where it comes from. Products that promise to be fragrance-free can easily contain phthalates, benzene derivatives, aldehydes, and other harmful compounds. The term “fragrance-free” can also mean that no artificial fragrances were used in the production of the product, but the word “fragrance-free” simply means that all other artificial odors in the product have been masked with an odor-neutralizing fragrance. It’s worth arming yourself with similar misleading terms so that you can make informed choices and choose natural solutions.Really naturalMost synthetic fragrances contain chemicals that are harmful to your health. In the age of “greenwashing” and deliberately misleading advertising, finding a truly natural product is a real challenge. Fortunately, you no longer have to fear household cleaning products, as CYCLE products are made from 100% natural ingredients and we only use essential oils for their fragrance. This means that 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 feat! You can find CYCLE general surface cleaner, toilet cleaner and bathroom cleaner in our online store.
