Thursday, December 26, 2019
Slathering your skin in a gorgeously scented moisturizer may feel super luxe, but the harsh reality about fragrance in skin-care products? In addition to potentially causing an allergic reaction, they can do more harm than good — especially if you've got sensitive skin. "Fragrances are usually made up of other harmful chemicals, like parabens, benzene derivatives, aldehydes, and more that are linked to cancer and nervous system issues, which in the short term can cause irritation and redness on the applied area," New York City-based dermatologist Dendy Engelman tells Allure. "Look for terms like 'parfum,' 'linalool,' 'limonene,' 'eugenol,' 'citronellol,' or 'geraniol,' to clue you in that a product contains a fragrance."
What about naturally derived fragrances? You may be surprised to hear that they're not necessarily a safer alternative. "While we often equate natural with better in terms of skin care, natural fragrances can be as irritating and or allergenic as artificial fragrances," says dermatologist Deanne Robinson, co-founder and president of Modern Dermatology and member of The Women's Dermatologic Society. "Our body cannot sense the source, but rather it reacts to the molecules composing the fragrance, and these can be the same for synthetic and natural fragrances."
However, all of this information doesn't mean that you need to Konmari the hell out of your beauty routine and do a product purge. While the dermatologists we interviewed largely agreed that fragrance-free is better whenever possible, if what you're using hasn't caused an adverse reaction, then you're likely in the clear (at least for now). "In order to make sure that you are suitable to use a fragranced product, you can test the product on a small portion of your hand to make sure that a reaction doesn't occur," New York City-based dermatologist Ellen Marmur recommends. Here, we present 13 fragrance-free cleansers, serums, lotions, and more that won't irritate sensitive skin.
1. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
"Fragrances in skin-care products can cause redness, itchiness, and sometimes hives, especially to those with dry skin," says Marmur. CeraVe’s Hydrating Facial Cleanser is loaded with ceramides 1, 3, and 6-II, along with hyaluronic acid, making it a total dream for anyone with sensitive skin.
2. Eau Thermale Avène Skin Recovery Cream
Eau Thermale Avène’s ultra-soothing Skin Recovery Cream took home a 2012 Best of Beauty award and is ideal if you have sensitive or post-procedure skin. The balm-like texture heals and locks in moisture with a combination of mineral oil, glycerin, and squalane.
3. Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Facial Cleanser
Formulated with natural soy extract, Aveeno's Positively Radiant Brightening Facial Cleanser rids skin of surface impurities without causing irritation. "It's a gentle, fragrance-free option for those with sensitive skin," Marmur says.
4. Dove DermaSeries Face Cream SPF 15
"Fragrance can be an irritant or an allergen, meaning our bodies can actually be allergic to it. The irritation or allergy that results is usually in the form of eczema — a red or pink, itchy rash," says dermatologist Mona Gohara. Adding to that is dermatologist Evan Rieder, who adds that reactions are "common," but can be much worse in people with sensitive skin. "For this reason, I always recommend fragrance-free and hypoallergenic products." His go-to? Dove DermaSeries' SPF-laced day cream, which is "specifically engineered and clinically proven to be gentle on the skin." (Rieder has a contract with Dove.)
5. Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser
Drunk Elephant's gentle Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser contains cantaloupe fruit extract, virgin marula oil, and mild surfactants to give your skin a soothing cleanse minus SLS, fragrance, and essential oils.
6. Herbivore Botanicals Pink Cloud Moisture Cream
Get dewy, hydrated skin in a pinch with Herbivore Botanicals' fan-favorite Pink Cloud Moisture Cream, which, in addition to featuring extremely chic packaging, instantly calms redness and irritation, thanks to its rosewater-infused, fragrance-free formula.
7. Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
"This cleanser is so gentle on the skin it won’t cause irritation, and works on face and body," Engelman explains of the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. "It removes impurities, but does not strip the skin of oils. In addition, it is lipid-, soap-, and fragrance-free."
8. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Fragrance-Free
Engelman swears by Elizabeth Arden's fragrance-free version of its best-selling Eight Hour Cream to do everything, including heal dry skin and gently treat a breakout. "[It] works in harmony with the petrolatum and vitamin E to encourage cellular turnover."
9. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
If you've got oily skin, you'll fall head over heels in love with the cooling, jelly texture of the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream. In addition to providing long-lasting hydration, the formula is totally free of all parabens and fragrance.
10. Neutrogena Fragrance Free Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
"Some people cannot tolerate facial wipes because of their irritating fragrances," says Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. "Neutrogena's towelettes are now available in a fragrance-free option that won’t cause irritation."
11. Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum Fragrance Free
Zeichner recommends Olay’s fragrance-free version of its Regenerist Regenerating Serum (a Best of Beauty and six-time Readers’ Choice award-winner) to patients due to its soothing, peptide-infused formula and lightweight texture.
12. Simple Water Boost Hydrating Sheet Mask
Got 15 minutes? Queue up a makeup tutorial and let Simple Water Boost Hydrating Sheet Mask pamper your skin and prep it before a night out (or a night in, for that matter).
13. Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum Moisturizer Daily Skin Booster
Like a glass of H2O for your complexion, get an instant plumping effect with Vichy's Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum Moisturizer Daily Skin Booster. (The name is a nod to its 89 percent concentration of soothing mineral water, which helps nourish skin and turn up the glow.)
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What about naturally derived fragrances? You may be surprised to hear that they're not necessarily a safer alternative. "While we often equate natural with better in terms of skin care, natural fragrances can be as irritating and or allergenic as artificial fragrances," says dermatologist Deanne Robinson, co-founder and president of Modern Dermatology and member of The Women's Dermatologic Society. "Our body cannot sense the source, but rather it reacts to the molecules composing the fragrance, and these can be the same for synthetic and natural fragrances."
However, all of this information doesn't mean that you need to Konmari the hell out of your beauty routine and do a product purge. While the dermatologists we interviewed largely agreed that fragrance-free is better whenever possible, if what you're using hasn't caused an adverse reaction, then you're likely in the clear (at least for now). "In order to make sure that you are suitable to use a fragranced product, you can test the product on a small portion of your hand to make sure that a reaction doesn't occur," New York City-based dermatologist Ellen Marmur recommends. Here, we present 13 fragrance-free cleansers, serums, lotions, and more that won't irritate sensitive skin.
1. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
"Fragrances in skin-care products can cause redness, itchiness, and sometimes hives, especially to those with dry skin," says Marmur. CeraVe’s Hydrating Facial Cleanser is loaded with ceramides 1, 3, and 6-II, along with hyaluronic acid, making it a total dream for anyone with sensitive skin.
2. Eau Thermale Avène Skin Recovery Cream
Eau Thermale Avène’s ultra-soothing Skin Recovery Cream took home a 2012 Best of Beauty award and is ideal if you have sensitive or post-procedure skin. The balm-like texture heals and locks in moisture with a combination of mineral oil, glycerin, and squalane.
3. Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Facial Cleanser
Formulated with natural soy extract, Aveeno's Positively Radiant Brightening Facial Cleanser rids skin of surface impurities without causing irritation. "It's a gentle, fragrance-free option for those with sensitive skin," Marmur says.
4. Dove DermaSeries Face Cream SPF 15
"Fragrance can be an irritant or an allergen, meaning our bodies can actually be allergic to it. The irritation or allergy that results is usually in the form of eczema — a red or pink, itchy rash," says dermatologist Mona Gohara. Adding to that is dermatologist Evan Rieder, who adds that reactions are "common," but can be much worse in people with sensitive skin. "For this reason, I always recommend fragrance-free and hypoallergenic products." His go-to? Dove DermaSeries' SPF-laced day cream, which is "specifically engineered and clinically proven to be gentle on the skin." (Rieder has a contract with Dove.)
5. Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser
Drunk Elephant's gentle Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser contains cantaloupe fruit extract, virgin marula oil, and mild surfactants to give your skin a soothing cleanse minus SLS, fragrance, and essential oils.
6. Herbivore Botanicals Pink Cloud Moisture Cream
Get dewy, hydrated skin in a pinch with Herbivore Botanicals' fan-favorite Pink Cloud Moisture Cream, which, in addition to featuring extremely chic packaging, instantly calms redness and irritation, thanks to its rosewater-infused, fragrance-free formula.
7. Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
"This cleanser is so gentle on the skin it won’t cause irritation, and works on face and body," Engelman explains of the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. "It removes impurities, but does not strip the skin of oils. In addition, it is lipid-, soap-, and fragrance-free."
8. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Fragrance-Free
Engelman swears by Elizabeth Arden's fragrance-free version of its best-selling Eight Hour Cream to do everything, including heal dry skin and gently treat a breakout. "[It] works in harmony with the petrolatum and vitamin E to encourage cellular turnover."
9. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
If you've got oily skin, you'll fall head over heels in love with the cooling, jelly texture of the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream. In addition to providing long-lasting hydration, the formula is totally free of all parabens and fragrance.
10. Neutrogena Fragrance Free Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
"Some people cannot tolerate facial wipes because of their irritating fragrances," says Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. "Neutrogena's towelettes are now available in a fragrance-free option that won’t cause irritation."
11. Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum Fragrance Free
Zeichner recommends Olay’s fragrance-free version of its Regenerist Regenerating Serum (a Best of Beauty and six-time Readers’ Choice award-winner) to patients due to its soothing, peptide-infused formula and lightweight texture.
12. Simple Water Boost Hydrating Sheet Mask
Got 15 minutes? Queue up a makeup tutorial and let Simple Water Boost Hydrating Sheet Mask pamper your skin and prep it before a night out (or a night in, for that matter).
13. Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum Moisturizer Daily Skin Booster
Like a glass of H2O for your complexion, get an instant plumping effect with Vichy's Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum Moisturizer Daily Skin Booster. (The name is a nod to its 89 percent concentration of soothing mineral water, which helps nourish skin and turn up the glow.)
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