Ingredient decoder

Fragrance: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Parfum

Acne verdict Watch

Worth watching on acne-prone skin

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Scent blend that can irritate or trigger allergies in some people.

  • Deodorant
  • Masking
  • Perfuming

Fragrance in plain English

Fragrance or parfum is a catch-all label for a blend of scent ingredients, which can include dozens of natural or synthetic compounds that do not have to be listed one by one. It is one of the most common causes of skin allergies and irritation from skincare. It does not clog pores, but irritated, inflamed skin can make breakouts look and feel worse, so fragrance-free products are a good default for acne-prone or sensitive skin.

Is fragrance bad for acne?

Not usually, but it is worth watching. Fragrance is not a proven pore-clogger, but scent ingredients like this can irritate sensitive skin, and irritated skin can make breakouts look and feel worse. Notice how your skin reacts when a product lists it near the top.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Parfum
  • Perfume
  • Fragrance parfum
  • Parfum fragrance
  • Fragrance (parfum)
  • Parfum (fragrance)
  • Fragrance blend

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Frequently asked questions

Is fragrance comedogenic?

Fragrance has no published comedogenic rating in Fulton's 1989 table. It is not a proven pore-clogger, but it is worth watching on acne-prone skin.

What does fragrance do in skincare?

In short: scent blend that can irritate or trigger allergies in some people. In formulas it is used for deodorant, masking and perfuming.

What else is fragrance called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, fragrance can also appear as Parfum, Perfume, Fragrance parfum, Parfum fragrance or Fragrance (parfum).

Sources