Ingredient guide
Synthetic Fragrance in Sunscreen
What Synthetic Fragrance does in sunscreen and how it's regulated.
About Synthetic Fragrance
An umbrella term that can hide hundreds of undisclosed chemicals.
Why brands use it in sunscreen
Creates a pleasant scent that enhances the consumer experience and brand identity. Synthetic fragrances are far cheaper than natural essential oils.
Regulatory status
- US FDA: No labeling requirement for individual fragrance components due to 'trade secret' exemption. Companies can list 'fragrance' as a single ingredient.
- European Union: Not on the EU prohibited list (some ingredients have concentration limits)
- Canada: Not restricted
Common alternatives
Other ingredients formulators use for a similar job in sunscreen:
essential oils (properly diluted and disclosed)
fragrance-free formulations
naturally-derived aroma compounds
Synthetic Fragrance in other product types
FAQ
What is Synthetic Fragrance?
An umbrella term that can hide hundreds of undisclosed chemicals.
Why is Synthetic Fragrance used in sunscreen?
Creates a pleasant scent that enhances the consumer experience and brand identity. Synthetic fragrances are far cheaper than natural essential oils.
How is Synthetic Fragrance regulated?
No labeling requirement for individual fragrance components due to 'trade secret' exemption. Companies can list 'fragrance' as a single ingredient.
Does Numbrrrz lip balm contain Synthetic Fragrance?
No. Numbrrrz is organic coconut oil, organic beeswax, organic jojoba oil and vitamin E, plus organic essential oils or flavoring in the scented versions. That is a formulation choice, not a judgment about other products.
