Fragrance Oils Uncovered: Are They Really Unsafe for Your Skin?

There's a lot of talk out there about fragrance oils, some of it helpful, some of it...not so much. At Real Soap, we get it. When you're trying to make mindful choices, words like synthetic can sound scary. But here's the thing, fragrance oils can be safe, skin-friendly, and even more transparent and eco-friendly than some essential oils. And while we primarily scent our soaps with high-quality essential oils, we occasionally use fragrance oils too that are always carefully vetted.

What Are Fragrance Oils?

Fragrance oils are blends of aromatic compounds used to create scent. Ours are lab-created and botanically derived. This means they're technically synthetic, but that doesn't mean they're unsafe! In fact, the fragrance oils we use are:

• Phthalate-free

  Phthalates are chemical compounds often used to make scents last longer, but they've been linked to potential health concerns such as endocrine disruption and reproductive effects. While many people associate phthalates with synthetic fragrance, they're also found in essential oils. That's why we're so selective in our sourcing.

• Paraben-free

  Parabens are synthetic preservatives that may disrupt hormones and harm the environment.

• Cruelty-free and vegan

  None of our fragrance oils (or any of our ingredients) are tested on animals or made with animal byproducts.

• Free from SLS and SLES

  These common fomenting agents (sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate) can strip your skin and cause irritation.

• Skin-safe and rigorously tested for irritation

  Every fragrance we used meets strict IFRA safety standards and goes through allergen screening and lab analysis (like GCMS) to ensure it's safe for skin and free from harmful contaminants.

• Often more stable and less allergenic than some essential oils

  Essential oils are natural, but they can oxidize quickly or trigger allergic reactions. High-quality fragrance oils offer more stability and a lower risk of irritation.

Why Do Fragrance Oils Get a Bad Rep?

The concern around fragrance oils usually comes down to two things: skin sensitivity and hidden ingredients. Many commercial products use the word "fragrance" as a catch-all term, masking undisclosed chemicals, come of which are know irritants, allergens, or hormone disruptors like phthalates and parabens.

So yes, there's good reason to be cautious. But not all fragrance oils are created equal.

At Real Soap, if we use a fragrance oil, we say so, clearly. And we only use safe, carefully vetted blends that are phthalate-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, and skin safe.

But Why Use Fragrance Oils?

We love essential oils. Most of our bars are scented with them, and we choose each one for its aroma, purity, and skin benefits. But essentials oils aren't always the safer option. Some are strong allergens (cinnamon, clove, citronella), not always sustainably harvested (sandalwood, rosewood, and Palo Santo), and some have endocrine-disrupting effects (lavender and tea tree). Yes, even nature has fine print!

Fragrance oils give us flexibility to create fun, unique scents like marshmallow or campfire, that essential oils simply can't replicate. So when we do use them, we make sure they're the cleanest and safest versions possible.

Safe Scents, Clear Choices

Fragrance oils don't have to be a mystery. When sourced thoughtfully, tested thoroughly, and used responsibly, they're a safe and sustainable way to bring joy to your daily routine.

At Real Soap, every fragrance oil (and essential oil!) we use is handpicked for quality, safety, and performance so you can feel good about every bar from scent to skin.