Why I Hate Fragrance In Skin Care

Summary

In this skincare tutorial, Hiram discusses the controversial topic of fragrance in skincare products. He explains why fragrance is used, its lack of skin benefits, and the potential for irritation and allergies. Hiram shares his personal philosophy of preferring fragrance-free products for their purity and effectiveness. He encourages viewers to be mindful of their skincare choices, advocating for inclusivity and ingredient awareness to ensure everyone can enjoy beneficial skincare routines.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hiram, the host, is passionate about teaching skincare routines and encourages subscribing for weekly videos.
• 🔍 The video is part of a series that delves deeper into popular skincare topics, focusing on fragrance in skincare products.
• 🌱 Hiram admits to struggling with concentration due to a noisy neighbor, showing a relatable and human side to the host.
• 📝 The host discusses his previous video on fragrance, offering more detail in this episode by addressing common questions and concerns.
• 💬 The topic of fragrance in skincare is controversial, with strong opinions and disagreements within the community.
• 👤 Hiram emphasizes the importance of individual opinions and the value of diverse perspectives in skincare discussions.
• 🌼 Fragrance is added to skincare for sensory experiences and marketing appeal, aiming to create a unique and memorable scent.
• 🚫 Despite the benefits of fragrance, Hiram personally avoids it due to potential irritation and lack of skin benefits.
• 🛑 The host calls for inclusivity in skincare, advocating for fragrance-free options to cater to those with sensitivities or allergies.
• 📉 Hiram notes an increase in skin sensitivities and allergies, suggesting a trend towards more products aimed at sensitive skin.
• 🌟 The video aims to educate viewers on ingredients, encouraging them to make informed decisions based on personal skin needs and preferences.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the 'Skincare 201' series by Hiram?

The 'Skincare 201' series by Hiram focuses on diving deeper into popular topics in the skincare community and sharing his opinions and beliefs on these topics.

Why does Hiram avoid using fragrance in his skincare products?

Hiram avoids fragrance in his skincare products because he believes it offers little to no benefits for the skin and can be a potential allergen or irritant.

What does Hiram consider when recommending skincare products to his viewers?

Hiram recommends skincare products that contain the best ingredients, are formulated with as little to no irritants as possible, and preferably are fragrance-free to reduce the risk of skin sensitivity.

What is the purpose of adding fragrance to skincare products according to the script?

Fragrance is added to skincare products to create a sensorial experience for the user and as a marketing appeal to differentiate a brand from others.

What does Hiram believe about the increasing trend of skin sensitivities in the cosmetic industry?

Hiram believes that skin sensitivities are on the rise, with dermatologists reporting an increase in allergic responses and contact dermatitis, and he attributes part of this increase to the use of fragrance in skincare.

What does Hiram aim to achieve by discussing fragrance in his videos?

Hiram aims to raise awareness about the potential risks of fragrance, promote inclusivity by advocating for fragrance-free options, and encourage viewers to make informed decisions based on ingredient awareness.

What is Hiram's stance on the importance of ingredient lists in skincare?

Hiram emphasizes the importance of understanding ingredient lists, knowing what ingredients to look for and avoid, and making purchasing decisions based on the ingredients and their benefits to the skin.

Why does Hiram feel that brands should offer fragrance-free products?

Hiram believes that brands should offer fragrance-free products to be more inclusive, catering to a demographic of customers who may have sensitivities or allergies and cannot use fragranced products.

What is the main reason Hiram prefers to focus on fragrance-free products in his videos?

Hiram prefers to focus on fragrance-free products because he wants to provide safer options for his viewers and reduce the potential for skin irritation or allergic reactions.

How does Hiram define his skincare philosophy in terms of ingredient selection?

Hiram's skincare philosophy is to only use the best ingredients that are necessary and beneficial for the skin, avoiding unnecessary additives like fragrance that do not contribute to skin health.

What does Hiram hope to achieve by discussing his personal skincare beliefs and experiences?

Hiram hopes to start a respectful conversation around skincare, promote education on ingredients, and help viewers make their own informed decisions about their skincare routines.

Outlines

00:00

🎥 Introduction to Skincare Series

Hiram, the host, welcomes viewers to his skincare channel, emphasizing his passion for educating on skincare routines. He encourages subscription and tuning into his series, which delves into popular skincare topics. Despite the distraction of a noisy neighbor, Hiram outlines his intention to discuss fragrance in skincare, a contentious issue. He references a previous video for more detail and sets the stage for a respectful conversation about skincare philosophies.

05:02

🌿 The Role and Controversy of Fragrance in Skincare

Hiram explains that fragrance in skincare serves to create a sensorial experience and differentiate products. He acknowledges that while fragrance is not inherently harmful, it offers no skin benefits and can be a potential allergen. With increasing skin sensitivities, he advocates for a cautious approach, sharing his high standards for skincare ingredients. Hiram's stance is to avoid unnecessary irritants, promoting fragrance-free products for their safety and inclusivity.

10:03

🛡️ Advocating for Mindful and Inclusive Skincare

The speaker shares his personal skincare philosophy, which includes avoiding fragrance due to its potential for irritation and lack of skin benefits. He aims to help viewers become more aware of their product choices, especially regarding fragrance sensitivity. Hiram stresses the importance of inclusivity, urging brands to offer fragrance-free options to cater to all customers, including those with sensitivities or allergies.

15:04

🗣️ Encouraging Constructive Dialogue on Skincare

In conclusion, Hiram calls for a respectful and educated conversation about skincare, urging viewers to share resources and opinions. He reiterates his commitment to learning and sharing knowledge about ingredients and formulas. Hiram reminds viewers to subscribe for weekly videos and to engage in discussions that foster understanding and personal growth in skincare practices.

Keywords

💡Skincare Routine

A skincare routine refers to the regular practice of taking care of one's skin through a series of steps and products. In the video, the host, Hiram, is passionate about educating viewers on how to perfect their skincare routine, emphasizing the importance of understanding ingredients and avoiding unnecessary additives like fragrance.

💡Fragrance

Fragrance in skincare refers to the scent added to products, typically to enhance the user's sensory experience. Hiram discusses the controversial nature of fragrance in skincare, noting that while it's not inherently harmful, it can be a potential allergen and is not necessary for skin health, which is the primary focus of his skincare philosophy.

💡Essential Oils

Essential oils are concentrated liquids containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. In the script, Hiram mentions essential oils like lavender and bergamot as examples of ingredients that can be classified under fragrance in skincare products. He expresses concern over their potential to cause sensitivities and allergies.

💡Skin Sensitivity

Skin sensitivity refers to the skin's heightened reactivity to certain substances, which can result in allergic reactions or irritation. The video highlights the increasing prevalence of skin sensitivities and the role that fragrance ingredients, including essential oils, may play in contributing to this issue.

💡Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a type of skin inflammation caused by direct contact with an allergen or irritant. Hiram discusses the rise in contact dermatitis cases, attributing some of this increase to the use of fragrance in skincare products, which can cause skin reactions in some individuals.

💡Inclusivity

Inclusivity in the context of the video refers to the availability of skincare products that cater to all consumers, including those with sensitivities or allergies. Hiram advocates for brands to offer fragrance-free options to ensure that everyone has access to beneficial skincare products without the risk of adverse reactions.

💡Ingredient Awareness

Ingredient awareness is the understanding and knowledge of the components in skincare products. Hiram's goal is to promote this awareness so that consumers can make informed decisions about the products they use, focusing on the ingredients' benefits rather than just the sensory experience they provide.

💡Oxidation

Oxidation in the context of skincare refers to the chemical process where ingredients break down, potentially leading to the formation of sensitizing components. Hiram mentions that some fragrance ingredients, especially essential oils, are prone to oxidation, which can lead to skin irritation.

💡Marketing Appeal

Marketing appeal pertains to the strategies used by brands to attract consumers, such as creating a unique scent for their products. The video script discusses how fragrance is added to skincare products not only for the sensory experience but also as a marketing tool to differentiate a brand and encourage customer loyalty.

💡Sensorial Experience

A sensorial experience in skincare is the sensory pleasure derived from using a product, such as the smell of essential oils. Hiram acknowledges the pleasant nature of sensorial experiences but argues that they should not come at the expense of skin health, especially when considering the potential for sensitivities and allergies.

💡Philosophy

In the video, philosophy refers to Hiram's personal beliefs and standards regarding skincare ingredients and formulations. He emphasizes the importance of using only the best ingredients that benefit the skin and avoiding those that do not contribute to its health, such as unnecessary fragrances.

Highlights

Hiram introduces himself and his passion for teaching skincare routines.

The episode focuses on the controversial topic of fragrance in skincare.

Hiram apologizes for the noise disturbance caused by his neighbor mowing the lawn.

Fragrance in skincare is discussed as a popular topic on Hiram's channel.

Hiram's personal stance on avoiding fragrance in skincare products is shared.

The importance of understanding ingredient lists and their impact on the skin is emphasized.

Fragrance is added to skincare for a sensorial experience and marketing appeal.

Hiram clarifies that fragrance is not inherently bad for everyone's skin.

An increase in skin sensitivities and allergic reactions to fragrances is noted.

Hiram's high standards for skincare ingredients and his avoidance of unnecessary irritants.

The goal of empowering viewers to make informed decisions about their skincare.

Hiram's preference for fragrance-free products to minimize potential irritation.

The importance of inclusivity in skincare product offerings, especially fragrance-free options.

Hiram's commitment to recommending products with the best ingredients that avoid irritants.

A call for brands to be more inclusive and offer fragrance-free options for all customers.

Hiram's final thoughts on the importance of ingredient awareness and making educated skincare choices.

An invitation for viewers to engage in respectful discussions and share resources in the comments.

Transcripts

hello hi everyone welcome to skincare

with higher arm if you don't know who I

am my name is Hiram and I'm passionate

about teaching you how to perfect your

skincare routine so make sure you

subscribe to my channel and to the

notification bell so that you can see my

videos every single week welcome to

episode 2 of the skincare 201 series

where I take a deeper dive into some

topics that are really popular in the

skincare community and share my opinion

my stance my belief when it comes to

these things I'm sorry if I'm struggling

to concentrate my neighbor right outside

has been mowing his lawn for over an

hour even though his lawn is only the

size of a Kia oh I'm so done with it

it's so loud on my mic anyway if you're

not familiar with this series feel free

to go to episode one where I talk about

how you can breed ingredient lists how

to decipher them what to look for what

to avoid all that good stuff but in

today's episode I specifically wanted to

talk about fragrance in skincare this is

something that is really popular on my

channel if you guys have watched

literally any of my videos I'm

constantly talking about why I avoid

fragrance in my skincare products and in

the past about 10 months ago I did make

a video detailing why I personally avoid

fragrance in my skincare products if you

guys are interested in learning more

about fragrance what ingredients are

classified as fragrance

my personal belief system what I like to

avoid I will link the last video I made

I go into a little bit more detail there

this video is more focused on addressing

some common themes questions and

concerns around fragrance and giving my

personal opinion and input on the issue

but since then fragrances skincare has

become a really controversial topic and

I've also learned a lot since my last

video and I wanted to share some of the

progress that I've made because I

definitely want you guys to be updated

with all the new information that I've

been getting in order to make sure that

we're approaching this from as I'm

biased as a stance as possible now when

I say controversial I mean in

controversial [ __ ] I've illegitimate

sin skincare or people who I thought

were friends sometimes when people

disagree in the skincare community they

disagree hard which is why I want to

start off this video by saying I know

you guys are intelligent you guys watch

my channel knowing that I am my own

person I have my own opinions my own

belief system and that it is not the

same for everyone else there are plenty

of other people on YouTube who have

different opinions about the skincare

and that is the beauty of the skincare

world we all get to share our own

individual views and opinions compare

them have this

Russians educate and edify each other

and that's what makes it so enjoyable

and at the end of the day I'm really

just trying to help you guys as much as

possible learn how you can perfect your

skincare routine with your own

philosophy but making sure you're

equipped to understand what ingredients

are how to read ingredient lists etc etc

what makes this not fun though is

getting into heated negative debates

where people are attacking one another

breaking friendships making accusations

over something as trivial as skincare

and talking about our different opinions

like how stupid is that that you would

actually get frustrated enough to start

attacking someone over something as

trivial as skincare like [ __ ] it is not

that big of deal and with the amount of

times that I've seen this happened I

thought it would be a great time to just

kind of revamp my stance on fragrance

share all my opinions with beliefs with

you guys and start a conversation all

with positivity and respect so let's get

into it my goal and I started on YouTube

was not to be an expert in the skincare

world to know everything to be the most

informed to be the most educating person

absolutely not my only intention making

beauty videos was just to help make

skincare a little bit easier to

understand and to this day when I make

videos I never make videos intended for

people who are crazy educated about

skincare chemists and dermatologists

know I make it for people who probably

don't know a lot about skin care who are

looking to learn more about it and want

to have a basic understanding of

ingredients that's my intent I try to

break down really complicated topics and

make them easier to understand for you

guys to be able to enjoy your experience

in the skincare world and with that

being said throughout this whole video

I'm not going to be talking about the

chemistry behind these ingredients there

are plenty of other amazing resources

for that dermatologists and chemists I

will link all of my many sources in the

description box below feel free to go do

your own research ask your favorite

dermatologist or favorite chemist my

goal is always to help empower you guys

to educate yourselves but also

recognizing that I am NOT here to talk

specifics but rather just kind of share

my overall opinion so first off what is

fragrance fragrance is a lot of

different things in skincare but when

you look at an ingredient list fragrance

can be classified as first the term

fragrance the actual term that you see

listed on the back of a product fragrant

essential oils of which there are many

including lavender essential oil

bergamot essential oil Alang Alang

essential oil lime essential oil etc etc

and then fragrant components which

include limonene line

geraniol and others so why is fragrance

added to skincare products fragrance is

typically added to create a sensorial

experience for the person who is using

the product when using a moisturizer or

a serum to be able to smell a bunch of

different essential oils while using a

skincare product that has a very

distinct scent it creates a sense Oriole

experience that's very unique I'm not

gonna lie it's really nice there are so

many skincare products that I love

smelling because they just create this

sensation that's so wonderful fragrance

is also added as a marketing appeal and

also to differentiate a brand from other

brands the more company can create a

positive experience for the user when

they first pick up and try a product

though more likely the customer is going

to buy their products and continue

buying their product in the future

because of that positive experience and

companies also count on that experience

to differentiate themselves from other

brands so that you won't be able to find

that specific fragrance than any other

type of product out there you have to go

back to brand a in order to get that

experience now here's the thing and this

is gonna be very controversial in my

opinion fragrance is not terrible it is

not the worst thing in the world or the

devil ingredient as dramatic as I am in

my videos which [ __ ] I am dramatic as

we all know that and as much as I like

to show my true dramatic knee-jerk

reactions to different products and

ingredients in my opinion fragrance is

not the worst thing in the world the

reason why fragrance for most people is

not going to be problematic for their

skin the majority of people in their

lifetime likely won't experience a

sensitivity to fragrance or essential

oils or any types of ingredients that

can be found in fragrant compounds it's

also not proven to be extremely damaging

to the skin like some other ingredients

can be and likely won't negatively

affect the average user however that

being said fragrance ingredients offer

little to no actual benefits for the

skin but are more so just added for a

sensorial aromatic experience similar to

what you would get when you're diffusing

essential oils in your room for example

in the general cosmetic industry skin

sensitivities are increasing

dermatologists are seeing an increase in

allergic response and allergens contact

dermatitis and other issues that cause

skin sensitivity Browns are

overwhelmingly starting to produce

products that are aimed more towards

sensitive skin if you look at the online

trends the term sensitive skin has been

going up and up and up over the years

and speaking from my personal experience

the number one

concerned that I see in my inbox in my

comments sections on all my social media

platforms is skin sensitivity no fun

fact you can have an allergic reaction

or sensitivity to any ingredient

especially natural ingredients it

doesn't matter what kind of ingredient

you can have a sensitivity or reaction

to it but fragrance and essential oils

are commonly known allergens they also

are prone to oxidation where the

ingredients break down into sensitizing

components and a lot of ingredients can

be adulterated to not be pure essential

oils for example mixed with a lot of

other chemical components that can cause

negative reactions dermatologists are

seeing an increase in contact dermatitis

and a lot of them attribute that

increase to fragrance in skincare but

the difference is in the ingredients

role ingredients like aloe vera and

niacinamide licorice root extract are

added into skincare products for the

plethora of skin health benefits that

they offer while fragrance is added

solely for the smell and not for any

skin benefits and often if any of those

ingredients do have positive benefits

for the skin

they're so unstable when exposed to air

and light that they go through oxidation

and break down into those sensitizing

components so now that we know what it

is and why it's put in skin care why am

I so against it well first off I want to

say my standards when it comes to

skincare formulas skincare ingredients

and products is very very very high

painfully high to the tune that the

majority of people will likely disagree

with the opinions that I have about skin

care I avoid fragrance high

concentrations of denatured alcohol

witch hazel ethanol menthol and all of

these ingredients aren't necessarily bad

but they are known to have some

irritation potential and there are much

better alternative ingredients available

to use out in the market for fragrance

you have the option of going fragrance

free for alcohol you can find other good

delivery agents sweeten my philosophy

when it comes to skin care formulas and

products is that I only want the best of

the best

and if an ingredient is not necessary or

not benefiting my skin I don't want it

and not already by itself puts me in a

difficult position because my

expectations of a skin care product are

already way higher than what the

majority of the skincare industry can

offer so one of the reasons I don't like

fragrance of my skincare is that I feel

it is not necessary whatsoever like I

was saying before it does nothing to

help with the efficacy of a formula it

doesn't contribute to the benefit of the

skin and only poses as a risk for

irritation and sense

does this mean that you will experience

sensitivity and irritation anytime you

use a product with fragrance absolutely

not the majority of people and the

majority of times people won't

experience that but the fact that it's

not necessary in the skincare formula

doesn't offer positive benefits for the

skin and only poses as a potential

allergen an irritant for the skin I

don't think it should be in a skin care

product and while yes it is nice if a

product smells nice I would personally

prefer a product is formulated with only

the best of the best ingredients and

leaves out any unnecessary ingredients

that don't at all contribute to the

betterment of my skin or its health the

second reason I avoid it on my channel I

know the majority of my viewers likely

have a skincare routine that is

chock-full of fragranced products the

majority of people in my experience that

are interested in skin care will have a

good ten to twenty products at least and

typically and this is speaking as

someone who also went through this as

well nearly all of them if not all of

them will have a lot of fragrance

because fragrance smells nice and you're

not aware of the potential sensitivity

that could come along with fragrance my

goal is to help my viewers substitute

out at least one or two of their

products for fragrance free formulas in

order to help them be more mindful about

which products they feel are comfortable

having fragrance in them and just to

hopefully help them reduce any potential

irritation or sensitivity that they

could be experiencing because they are

aware that fragrance is irritating their

skin at one point every single product

in my skincare routine was fragrance to

the gods and it's a lot different now

and my goal is to help people be more

mindful in that way as well I know that

the majority of people who watch my

videos will not switch completely over

to fragrance free products and avoid

fragrance like the plague I know that

the majority of people who watch my

videos will likely find one or two

products that are fragrance free and

that's honestly good enough for me

that's what I was hoping for just more

mindfulness in purchasing and formulas

the third reason is another philosophy I

have it's better to be safe than sorry

and that goes for my viewers and for me

I take my platform on YouTube really

really seriously and I would never want

someone to walk away from my videos

excited to purchase a product they buy a

product and they have a severe or really

bad skin sensitivity to it and have to

deal with the aftermath of that now I

know that's a false hope because it's

bound to happen because people can have

an allergic reaction to literally

anything but my goal is to reduce that

risk as much as possible which is why in

the products that I recommend I like to

only recommend products that have only

the best of the best ingredients and are

formulated with as little to no

irritants as possible in order to avoid

any potential irritating side effects in

my viewers but I would much rather them

have a negative reaction to a product I

recommended that is only formulated with

products that will improve the efficacy

of the formula soothe the skin improve

the performance and deliver results then

have them react to a product that was

formulated with unnecessary fragrance

because there is a difference for

potential of positive results versus

negative results for example it's the

difference between having a sensitivity

to niacinamide an ingredient that has

been shown to reduce sensitivity and

irritation control the sebum production

with the skin and brighten any dark

spots within the skin versus the

sensitivity to a ling Aling oil which is

solely added just to smell nice you know

what I'm saying and then forth finally I

really want to push for inclusivity if I

had a dollar for every person that

thanked me for focusing on fragrance

free products in my videos because they

felt they couldn't turn to anyone

because no one was recommending

fragrance free products I would need to

do you two anymore because that's how

many people struggle to find resources

that recommend fragrance free products

when I make my brand review truth about

videos half of my intent is speaking

directly to the brand I make them as a

message to the Browns so that hopefully

the brand will see my feedback recognize

that people are pushing for fragrance

free formulas in the hopes that in the

future they will deliver fragrance free

formulas that we have a selection from

adding fragrance to formulas only

excludes a certain demographic of

customers that could have really enjoyed

the positive ingredients that your

product is formulated with but instead

caters to people who are only craving a

sensorial experience it's the difference

of people having no access to your

skincare product versus people who are

only using it because of how it smells

and being that the trend is that more

and more people are struggling with skin

sensitivity

Tec dermatitis fragrance allergy I think

it's really messed up on the brands part

to not have four against three formulas

available to that specific customer

demographic which is where on my channel

usually most of my frustration comes

down to brands that don't offer any

fragrance free products as opposed to

ones that do I think brands need to be

more inclusive and recognize that an

entire demographic of their customer

base doesn't have access to specific

products because of sensitivities and

allergies and prioritizing them versus

prioritizing just how a product smells

overall my goal is to push the

conversation around skincare to

ingredient awareness whether you agree

or completely disagree with my personal

skincare philosophy my goal is for

everyone in the community to be able to

understand how to read an ingredient

list know what ingredients they want to

look for and then make their own

decisions from there that way people

start purchasing skincare products not

from the way they smell but from the

ingredients the formula and the brand's

ethics and for anyone who says that this

isn't fair because the primary brands

selling point is their fragrance that's

pretty shitty product if you ask me if

the only reason that people are really

interested in your product is because of

how it smells just being honest now I'm

not saying that everything should be

fragrance free far from it I know that a

lot of people really like fragrance in

their products my intent is to push for

inclusivity so that people who do want

fragrance free products or can't use

fragrance products because of allergies

have the same opportunity to use an

experience that skin care product

formulated without fragrance who now

with all of this in mind am I saying

that I have the right opinion that

everyone else is wrong that you should

argue or fight with anyone who has a

different belief absolutely not if you

guys look at literally any of the people

that I've collaborated with people like

Susan Yarra James Welsh they have

completely different skincare

philosophies than me but I still

respected their beliefs so much because

they have taken the time to learn about

ingredients to learn about formulas and

make their own decisions and I

completely respect that and I recognize

that my expectations and standards are

very very high but like I said before I

only want the best of the best

ingredients no [ __ ] and I want to

make sure that I'm recommending those

same ingredients and products to you

guys which is why I try to go fragrance

free as much as possible whoo guys I am

winded and it is hot in here because it

has been over an hour that I'm filming

this video huh what do you guys think

let me know in the comment section down

below please I just asked guys

be respectful the stupidest thing in the

world to actually get offended and angry

and upset over something as trivial as

skincare let's be adults let's be

grown-ups we can have a productive

conversation and hopefully all of us can

come out of this a lot more educated

than we were before and as always if you

guys have any more resources please feel

free to send them my way at any time I'm

always down to learn more about these

kinds of topics and yeah if you haven't

already be sure to subscribe to my

channel and at the notification bell so

that you can see my videos every single

week and I'll see you guys in the next

video