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Do you intentionally seek out unscented or fragrance-free personal products, or are you comfortable using products with various fragrances, only steering clear of those that don’t appeal to you? I’ve recently reflected on my own preferences regarding this topic, and the insights have been quite surprising.

This contemplation was sparked by the captivating social media advertisements for Prose custom hair products that ultimately led me to make a purchase. As I evaluate my experience with these products, I’ve noticed something particularly intriguing: when given the option to select a fragrance, I opted for “do not add fragrance.” This choice has made me acutely aware of a significant difference in my hair care routine, and unfortunately, not in a positive way.

My decision to go with no added fragrance was entirely intentional. The brand offered a variety of specific scents to choose from, but I’ve encountered numerous products that were ruined by overpowering, unpleasant scents in the past. I thought, why risk it? However, I’m now beginning to suspect that the absence of fragrance has led to an unappealing realization—perhaps I’m simply more aware of my own unwashed hair while shampooing.

Interestingly, there’s a crucial distinction between “no fragrance added” and “fragrance-free,” as highlighted by the New York Times’ Wirecutter. According to the EPA’s 2016 “Safer Choice Fragrance-Free” spreadsheet:

Fragrance-free indicates that the product does not contain any fragrance materials or masking scents.

Unscented typically suggests that the product may contain substances that neutralize or mask the odors of other ingredients.

Over the years, our family has purchased a variety of unscented products, particularly because both of my children have occasionally experienced issues with eczema. We’ve found that we do not miss the fragrance in items like shampoos, laundry detergents, and other household products. As their eczema has improved, I have returned to using perfume on occasion, which has been quite liberating.

Now, I’m curious about your preferences: do you lean towards unscented or fragrance-free products, or are you simply looking to avoid overpowering, cloying scents? Conversely, do you have a strong affinity for particular fragrances?

On a related note, I recently discovered a hand soap in a restaurant restroom that I absolutely adored, and I wasn’t surprised to learn it was vetiver-scented, one of my all-time favorite scents. Upon returning home, I was shocked to find that the hand soap retails for $46 (yikes!). However, while browsing, I stumbled upon an advertisement for a vetiver-scented Method hand soap, which I decided to purchase instead.

This experience illustrates my own preferences quite clearly: I do enjoy fragrant products, but only when they feature scents and concentrations that align with my tastes. In situations where the fragrance does not meet my expectations, I tend to prefer unscented options. I believe I’ll be steering clear of fragrance-free products for shampoos in the future.

Stock photo via Stencil.