If you’re prone to allergies or have sensitive skin, finding a signature scent that doesn’t trigger a reaction or cause a rash to flare up can be quite the challenge. We’ve all been there: when you walk past someone who is wearing an obscene amount of perfume or cologne, the resulting whiff that follows their every move is utterly unbearable. And while the experience can be repulsive to anyone, it actually makes some people physically sick. What’s the answer? Finding yourself one of the best natural perfumes.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Natural Perfume?
According to a study in 2009, almost 30% of the individuals polled reported sensitivity to perfumes or fragrances. Unfortunately, many perfumes and colognes on the market today contain harsh chemicals that can actually function as neurotoxins when absorbed into your pores — which isn’t healthy for anyone, let alone those with allergies and sensitive skin.
Allergic reactions to scents are actually labeled as “irritants,” rather than allergens (which would indicate the release of histamine internally). But according to an article on Everyday Health, fragrances can not only cause external skin rashes and hives, but they can also trigger a histamine-release response as well. If you’ve ever experienced a painful headache or bout of sneezing after getting a whiff of some strong perfume, this would likely be the result of a stimulated histamine response.
Signs of an allergy to perfume or scents can take the form of several respiratory symptoms including sneezing, headaches, difficulty breathing, stuffy or a runny nose, or topically on the skin, showing up as hives, redness, or a rash.
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Here are some of the benefits of choosing a natural perfume over their chemical-filled competitors:
- Hypoallergenic – Compared to chemical-filled perfumes and fragrances, natural perfumes are far less likely to cause irritation or allergic reactions.
- Cruelty-Free – Unlike perfumes and fragrances with chemicals in their makeup, natural perfumes are much more unlikely to be tested on animals. However, it’s always worth double-checking and doing your own research if this is a topic you’re motivated by.
- Lighter Fragrance – Applying a natural perfume to your skin is far less likely to result in the overpowering, unbearable stench which can accompany some chemical-filled options.
Choosing a fragrance that is free from phthalates, parabens and sulfates will help alleviate these responses to scents for most people. Thankfully, the market for all-natural fragrances is growing, and more and more variety of scents are becoming available. If you want to find a scent that’s safe, here are nine of the best natural perfume options which smell fresh and are less likely to cause an allergic reaction or irritation.
1. Lavanila The Healthy Fragrance
BEST OVERALL
Vanilla is one of the most popular scents to wear thanks to its appealing sweet and smoky balance. If you don’t want to give up your signature scent but also don’t want to feel miserable every time you wear it, you need this Lavanila Healthy Fragrance Eau de Toilette. This all-natural line of vanilla-scented perfumes comes in an array of variations to the classic scent including Vanilla Grapefruit and Fresh Vanilla Lemon to meet the needs of every fragrance lover. Each all-natural fragrance is blended with pure, Madagascar vanilla and antioxidant goji berry and Kakadu plum, to deliver 30 essential vitamins and minerals.
2. Pacifica Beauty Indian Coconut Perfume Mist
BEST VALUE
Pacifica Beauty Indian Coconut Perfume Mist is a great way to smell good without the worry of irritating allergies or having to break the bank. Opting for a body mist rather than a perfume is often a much more budget-friendly way to wear a scent, as shown by this product. Additionally, its vegan formula blends coconut and creamy vanilla, resulting in a warm, enticing scent that is well suited to special occasions.
3. Olivina Men Bourbon Cedar Solid Fragrance
BEST SOLID
This men’s solid cologne is a rugged-spicy scent that won’t leave you with a sneeze attack or itchy hives on the neck. The compact makes it highly portable and easy to keep on your person for an on-the-go refresh whenever it’s required. Scent-wise, you’ll love the top notes of rich bourbon and musky vanilla undertones, inspired by the wood-aging process in American distilleries. Best of all, this fragrance is based on essential oils and is free of allergy-inducing chemicals.
4. Pacifica Beauty Tahitian Gardenia Perfume
BEST CITRUS SCENT
For a refreshing natural scent, smell no further than this Pacifica Beauty Tahitian Gardenia Perfume. This vintage-inspired perfume is a citrusy blend of jasmine, sweet orange and tea leaves and is subtle enough for day-to-day wear. As with all Pacifica products, this natural perfume is both vegan and completely cruelty-free, too.
5. Cremo Spice & Black Vanilla Cologne
BEST GIFT IDEA
Cremo Spice & Black Vanilla Cologne is presented in a sophisticated, branded box, making it a great gift idea for any particularly well-groomed man in your life. Designed by Cremo’s scent experts, the complex layers of spices, tobacco and black vanilla give this cologne a unique and special finish which is a treat for the senses. And although this mens’ perfume has a signature scent that is sure to be noticed by those around you, it’s intentionally not overpowering so you’ll never feel embarrassed when it’s on.
6. Dr. Squatch Crushed Pine Cologne
BEST FOR NATURE LOVES
If you enjoy the great outdoors and find yourself wanting a scent inspired by the natural aromas of the forest, this Dr. Squatch Crushed Pine Cologne is for you. Packed with organic ingredients including cedarwood, fir needles and hemlock spruce, this natural perfume for men pairs well with a chequered shirt and well-groomed beard. Plus, it’s handmade in the USA so you can feel good knowing you’re supporting a homegrown business that uses homegrown ingredients.
7. Theo & Amelia All Natural Woodsy Cologne
BEST ROLLERBALL
Theo & Amelia All Natural Woodsy Cologne is applied using its integrated rollerball rather than a spray function as usually found on colognes. Its small capacity makes it ideal for travel purposes and keeping on hand in your bag or pocket for refreshing as and when required. Furthermore, the blend of vanilla, almond oil and jojoba has a pleasant scent in all day-to-day situations, making this natural perfume for men one of the best go-to selections in our round-up.
8. Brickell Men’s Accolade Cologne
MOST VERSATILE
Well suited for fathers and sons alike, this Brickell Men’s Accolade Cologne is a refreshing mix of botanicals and other natural ingredients. The all-natural mix of Italian Bergamot and lemon delivers a crisp citrusy finish which is especially enjoyable on a warm summer’s day. If you’re looking to expand your collection of natural and organic grooming products then this perfume is a great place to start as Brickell has a wide range of other all-natural products, such as moisturizers and peels.
9. Raw Spirit Wild Fire Luxury
BEST WOODY SCENT
This unisex fragrance will not only flatter both men and women but will also keep your allergies and headaches at bay. With top notes of citrus, grapefruit and Kaffir lime, it also has a rich base of Haitian vetiver and smoky cedarwood for a universally appealing yet distinct scent. Best of all, this all-natural scent is 100% paraben-free so you can breathe with ease.
10. Clean Reserve Warm Cotton
BEST UNISEX
There are few home comforts more enjoyable than fresh cotton bed sheets. And there are few, if any, scents that capture that beautiful laundered scent as well as Clean Reserve Warm Cotton does. If you’re one for clean white bedding, minimalist interior design and a modern sense of luxury, this is the natural perfume for you. Its calming musk fragrance is designed for either men or women, and so it’s a great option for housing on the side in any shared bathroom. To top it off, Clean Reserve makes a conscious effort to care about the planet when producing this gorgeous unisex perfume.
11. Ellis Brooklyn MYTH Eau de Parfum
BEST SPLURGE
Ellis Brooklyn MYTH Eau de Parfum boasts Sephora’s Clean + Planet Positive seal of approval. This shows the product’s commitment to not using ingredients that are deemed to be potentially harmful to people or the planet. Not only is this natural fragrance an eco-conscious selection, but it also smells great, too, with hints of jasmine petals, pink lotus and tiger orchid, all mixed together to deliver a refreshing musk. In addition, this award-winning fragrance makes a fantastic gift for ladies, as do the other vegan and PETA-certified products in the Ellis Brooklyn product range.
For the Sake of Your Skin (and Your Sanity), Use an Aftershave Balm After Shaving
