Perfume can be an enticing sensory soother. But, it’s important to be selective as every product we lather onto our skin absorbs into our bloodstream. Synthetic fragrances can harm our health. That’s why choosing a clean fragrance brand is essential. 

I wore synthetic fragrance for years because I didn’t know better. Now, I do. So, I set out to find a trustworthy fine fragrance brand that is as good for you as it smells. And after some aromatic research, I found one. That’s right, uno… un… eins… ONE.

Companies selling perfumes containing synthetic fragrance are crafty little suckers. Ads promise we’ll be more attractive if we spritz ourselves with their poison. Ninety-five percent of the chemicals in synthetic fragrances contain petroleum (crude oil). The EU and Canada banned 1,400 chemicals from personal care products while our FDA restricts only 11.

Perfumes containing synthetic fragrance list three ingredients: water, alcohol and fragrance. Fragrance is a loaded word. The FDA allows companies to classify their “fragrance” as a trade secret. This means no company has to list the ingredients in their scents. Great for brands, not so great for us.

The good news is clean fragrances do exist. And they smell as good, if not better, than their synthetic counterparts. Creating clean fragrance is a much more labor intensive, costly, and dare I say artistic craft. Many clean fragrances contain up to 1,000 pounds of hand-picked flowers. 

“Smell is a potent wizard that transports you across thousands of miles and all the years you have lived.”

—Helen Keller

CLEAN FRAGRANCE BRAND

Henry Rose fragrances are hypoallergenic, paraben-free, phthalate-free, formaldehyde-free and cruelty-free. In addition, they offer lotions, hand sanitizers, candles and diffuser oils. They also have admirable sustainability standards. Henry Rose bottles consist of 90% recycled glass and are 100% recyclable. Their caps consist of sustainably-sourced and compostable soy. And their boxes consist of recycled corrugated paper and are recyclable.

It’s super easy (and fun) to discover your signature Henry Rose scent. Complete the fragrance finder questionnaire to determine which scent aligns with your style. I sampled all nine fragrances in the Discovery Set before buying a full size bottle. This way, I could test each of the scents on my skin. The best part is you receive a $20 off coupon to use toward a full size bottle when you buy the Discovery Set.

My favorite Henry Rose fragrance is Windows Down. It’s voted Best Fresh Fragrance of 2022 by PopSugar. “One whiff of Henry Rose Windows Down will transport you to a salty, cool beach in the fall months. Its notes of bright grapefruit, earthy Earl Grey tea, and soft white flowers perfectly blend together for a crisp, unexpected spritz.” I’m not exaggerating when I promise that all nine fragrances smell amazing. But, handpicking a fine fragrance that feels right for you is a personal choice. And choosing a brand made without harmful synthetic ingredients is a wise one. —xo

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