In our hyper-asepticized society, natural odors have become intolerable and inadmissible. It is unfairly (in many cases) considered a sign of uncleanliness, but "fresh" sweat does not really smell bad. It will smell bad only after a few hours when it will be oxidized and dried on the clothes, clothes that will have to be washed of course. Masking natural odors with deodorants or perfumes is therefore common.

If almost everyone agrees today on the toxicity of aluminum salts present in deodorants, all the more toxic as they are sometimes antiperspirants, few people know the toxicity of toilet waters and perfumes.

If the perfumes of yesteryear were made from natural ingredients, this is no longer the case. The many natural molecules have been copied by the chemical industry. And if the body tolerates and knows how to defend itself or eliminate the molecules that nature has designed, this is not the case with chemical molecules created by the "hand" of man, even if according to scientists they have the same structure.

If the transparency in the composition of cosmetic products increases thanks to the new INCI legislation, under the cover of professional secrecy, perfumes escape the rule, because apart from the recognized allergens, manufacturers are not obliged to reveal the entire composition. And it's certainly not because there's nothing to say about their various components. Irritants, carcinogens, allergens or endocrine disruptors are not missing in the bottles!

According to Julien Kaibeck[i]A perfume often contains dozens, even hundreds of compounds (most often volatile). And still according to this specialist in natural cosmetics :

The bad news is that almost all brand name perfumes are formulated with synthetic compounds, and they are not without controversy. What a shame for products that cost so much!

List of hazardous substances

For many years, phthalates have been accused of causing hormonal disruptions (fertility, even cancer). Yet diethyl phthalate (DEP) is still used in many cosmetics, including perfumes. It is used to make alcohol (a major component of perfumes) unfit for consumption. And if it is true that each cosmetic product taken individually seems to be without danger, the official organizations which establish the tolerance thresholds never take into account the repeated uses several times in the day or the cumulated use of several products. In the eyes of our official protectors, if the risk seems low, let's remember that everyone has a different sensitivity threshold and that the use of these perfumes by certain people can have more or less important consequences.

The ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate is the INCI name for octyl methoxycinnamate, 2-ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate, 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate and other unpronounceable synonyms. The use of this anti-UV filter is not limited to sun products. It is found in some day creams, foundations, perfumes and toilet waters. In vivo, a study on this molecule has shown that it can affect estrogen and thyroid function.

The butylphenyl methylpropional is one of 26 regulated allergens. It provides a flowery aroma that evokes the lily of the valley. Its presence must be included in the INCI list as soon as its concentration exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products. Also an endocrine disruptor, it is omnipresent in perfumes and not only in "low-end" products. Example: Adidas, Axe deodorants and other well-known labels. In the shampoos Dove, Elsève, Timotei, conditioners Le Petit Marseillais, Head & Shoulders, Saint Algue, Yves Rocher ... Let's stop this endless list[ii].

More worryingly, it can be found in products that are reputed to be more "natural": Biotherm, Nuxe, Payot, Evian or L'Occitane. And in terms of eau de toilette, it's no better even if they are very expensive like those of Chanel and a little less expensive for the eaux de parfum from Yves Rocher.

By adding synthetic musks to this short but far from exhaustive list, we are only showing a small tip of the iceberg of the toxins contained in these expensive and trendy scented products!

Synthetic musks, like other endocrine disruptors, are found in the blood of adults and in the umbilical cords of newborns, and they wreak havoc there as they interfere with hormonal functions.

Perfumes and colognes are even more toxic because they are usually sprayed in the neck area near the thyroid gland. This gland is the one that ensures the proper functioning of all our basic metabolism (physiological reactions that ensure life). This gland is also the gland of sensitivity. It is therefore the first to absorb the toxicity of endocrine disruptors and of all the pollutions, including electromagnetic pollutions, to which the body is subjected.

All the toxins taken together constitute one of the reasons for the numerous current diseases of civilization, including all forms of hypothyroidism, but also attention disorders, hyperactivity, fibromyalgia, burnout, etc.

Toxic deodorants can easily be replaced by baking soda, alum stone or aloe vera gel with a few drops of essential oil (palma rosa for example or peppermint in summer).

As for perfumes, why not simply put a few drops of a quality essential oil that you like behind your ear, on the back of your neck or on your wrists? Nothing could be simpler and more natural!

[i] https://www.lessentieldejulien.com/2014/12/parfums-toxiques-recette/

[ii] https://www.quechoisir.org/comparatif-ingredients-indesirables-n941/liste/deodorants-et-parfums-ci1/