Allergies come from Allergens (alteration of genes expression)
The fragrances and aromas, whether be natural or synthetic affect virtually all aspects of our lives. Were the fragrances and aromas to disappear, we would find ourselves living a bland, deprived and dimension-less life! Consider how the scents and aromas contribute to your daily life and enrich the experiences – adding a spark of spirit and memory.
So, what has gone wrong?
The size of today’s fragrance industry is a result of research and development (R&D) activities that generated synthesis of new aroma-chemicals derived from synthetic resources including a vast variety from petrochemicals, resulting in rapid industry growth since 1860. Mainstream perfumery, behind the scenes, has been striving constantly to lower prices and to improve performance of perfumery ingredients, i.e. to make them more stable and last longer. Before the year 1860 perfumery was mainly natural, using only naturally derived substances. Even today, the practice of Natural Perfumery exhibits subtle interweaving of Art & Science, and this is where Belle’Botanique fills the much-needed gap, and aims to satisfy a growing demand for aesthetically pleasing, safe and natural perfumes.
How this vicious circle of Allergies – Endocrine (Hormonal) Disruption, Contact Dermatitis got intertwined with perfumes and fragrances?
The great cycle of the chemical industry – identification, isolation, laboratory synthesis, large-scale synthesis and commercialization with lower costs and prices – had begun in perfumery and flavor industry after Coumarin was synthesized in 1868. But to minimize or reduce the impacts of potential toxic chemicals to human health and the environment, was not fully understood and was not taken as a priority while the fragrance and perfume industry kept growing without appropriate regulations and toxicological methods in place.
In this day and age, in a mainstream perfume, a fragrance formula (‘perfume’) may contain up to several hundred or more, synthetic and natural ingredients. There Are More Than 5,000 Chemicals Are Used In Perfumery, Most Of Them Have Not Been Tested or Fully Tested For Toxicity. Contact allergies to fragrance chemicals are among the most common findings in studies of allergy in the general population. Contact allergy to fragrance ingredients (aroma-chemicals) occurs when a susceptible individual has been exposed on the skin to the allergenic chemical, for example through their presence in a cosmetic product. Once a contact allergy has been developed (can happen to anyone), cells capable of recognizing and reacting towards that allergen will always be present in the immune system. An allergy can be a life-long condition, which involves specifically altered reactivity of the immune system and recognition of the fragrance allergen(s) by immune cells.
The best option is to break the cycle of allergy development by reducing and eliminating the exposure to those specific allergens, and improving skin barrier-properties by using good quality natural skincare.
Allergens: Pre-Hapten, Pro-Hapten, Hapten
For most aroma-chemicals, the parent compound is often a very weak allergen. But the same compound can become a potent sensitizer either by oxidation (pre-hapten) or by enzymatic activity in the skin (pro-hapten).
- Compounds that can be activated to skin sensitizers by enzymatic activity in the skin are called Pro-haptens.
- A Pre-hapten is a chemical that can be transformed into a hapten outside the skin, mainly by air oxidation. Pre-haptens are activated to skin-sensitizing compounds via the spontaneous oxidation reaction known as autoxidation.
Once a prehaten or a prohaten turns into a hapten, this means that they can provoke an immune reaction in the body by attaching themselves to a carrier protein. Once a hapten is attached to a carrier protein (gene), that creates an alteration of gene expression -allergy!
26 Most Commonly Known Allergens
7th amendment of Directive 76/768/CEE (directive 2003/15/CE of 02/27/03) or Regulation (EC) n°1223/2009 outlines only 26 allergenic substances. Most of these allergens are isolated compounds, which can be found in natural essential oils. Please understand that Isolated compounds are single odor molecules that can be extracted from natural raw materials or can be synthesized in a lab.
YOU MAY WONDER WHAT ABOUT OTHER 4,000 OR MORE CHEMICALS, WHY THEY HAVE NOT BEEN TESTED OR INCLUDED IN THE ALLERGEN-LIST? Why only these 26 substances are listed as allergens, which are found in natural oils. To give you an example, Linalool is an allergen. Lavender oil (soothing properties are well documented) contains approximately 30% Linalool. You get my point, if you use Lavender oil in your perfume formulation, you can not say that it is allergen-free. Because Lavender oil contains an allergen called Linalool. But, you can use other synthetic chemicals, which have not been fully tested for toxicity without declaring them on the label.
If isolated from natural essential oils, botanical extracts, the parent oil/extract is rarely allergenic. We do not have enough scientific studies on various essential oils/extracts, proving them to be allergenic, but only on the isolated compounds like d-Limonene, which is found in citrus oils and also present in Frankincense oil. From our research we do know that Frankincense oil is not an allergen.
As I mentioned that these Isolates can be synthesized in a lab at a fraction of cost, and the real problem of allergy cycle is there, not in the whole natural oil/botanical. Just one tablespoon of Pure Rose Oil may cost you $300, but you can buy Synthetic version of rose oil in $300/kg.
As per the EU Regulation 1223/2009, Rose oil whether be pure or synthetic, contains allergens such as citronellol, geraniol etc. But, I have not come across any person yet who is allergic to Pure Rose Oil (there may be a few out there). It is my understanding that pure natural oils contain a large number of other compounds, some of them beneficial, which contribute to the overall activity of that natural oil/extract – the Nature’s Chemistry!
Considering All the Above, You Can Imagine How Important and Valuable It Is To Make A Natural Allergen-Free Perfume! And, that is what we have achieved in ‘Jungle Dew’ Eau de Parfum Spray and ‘ Amyris Vetiver’ Parfum Spray, both are allergen-free. Free from all the 26 allergenic substances listed in the European Regulation (EC) n°1223/2009.
Enjoy the Launch Party!
Thanks & Regards,
Josh Adams aka Manoj
This sounds perfect! Love to try and allergen free purfume!
i would love this
lush precious ingridients that dose wonders for skin looking forward to the perfumes
Sounds great would love to have some
Why do you you thonk we have so many things going wrong with all the fake additives in our food and perfumes etc. Causing cancer etc
Thank you for increasing awareness about allergens in perfume and making products that do not include them.
Great article with information that is helpful when making decisions on purchasing perfumes.
Really cant wait to try it. Looks awesome
Very informative article, really would love to try.
In this day and age we tend to use.consume more and more products detrimental to our health and well being…..I think it is refreshing to see products such as Belle Botanique making a concerted effort to allay our fears
I haven’t worn perfume for over 2 years as my little one has eczema – exciting product
Hi Leander,
Thanks for the comment. It is always good to be wise in selecting the products, especially when one is pregnant and with the young children. Some research studies have implicated synthetic fragrances with autism and allergies. http://www.oapublishinglondon.com/images/article/pdf/1381009770.pdf
We believe, the nature never intended this way.
Cheers,
Sounds amazing! Would love to try these products.
Lve to try???❤❤❤
Woohoo that is wonderful, thanks for the information. I want to win these products.
(Wooou que maravilla thanks quiero ganar)
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Thanks for the chance xxx Would really like to see if my skin reacts to this perfume. I struggle to find some that doesn’t make me end up with rashes.
Hello Michelle,
Yes, that would be fantastic to see.We believe that it would not cause any harm or aggravate any skin condition. Best thing would be to try in intervals and let the skin get used to it, while you enjoy the beautiful fragrance.
These products sound divine! Would love to try some out ?❤
GREAT!!
A wonderful idea and not a moment too soon. I often react badly to many commercial perfumes, would love the chance to try.
Great idea to try before purchasing a full bottle. That is why, we have created Travel Packs and Belle Rewards Program.
Thanks for the comment.
So cool…love to try it …
Finally a perfume without all the nasties – very exciting
Very excited to try this perfume, we have a responsibility to ourselves and our families to make this a norm in society.
I love…I love
Very informative
Thank you for taking the time to read it and the comment.
this sounds amazing! cant wait to try these out will give more options for those working in customer service/healthcare
would love to try these so ethical
Thanks so much for the useful info can’t wait to try this perfume
Love this. Can’t wait to try this.
It sounds perfect!
This sounds great
It is scary what we turn a blind eye too.
Hi Kim,
Thanks for the comment. That is a choice/decision, we all need to make for us and for the environment.
This is so true. Thanks for such an informative article.
I wish more companies would take this route!
Really cant wait to try it. Looks awesome!
Love love love!
Wow a company that finally cares about the consumer!! This is great
WOW! This a scary really! No WONDER I have such terrible chemical sensitivities now, my body just couldn’t take any more crap on my body. Thank you for this. I can’t WAIT to try your products!
Love it
We should learn and make wise choices, I’ll love to try these products!
I love that your company is providing us with this information so easy to buy something cheap an possibly toxic but now armed with this new information i know where ill be buying my perfume
This sounds fantastic. I only use all natural products on my face and skin. I’m currently using ZEST but am looking for all natural collagen based products and have yet to find anything until seeing these products. I’m excited to see what you have to offer 🙂
Dear Katherine,
Collagen is a large molecule, it can not pass through the skin barrier into the deeper layers, also most products contain animal derived Collagen.
The Best Way Is To Provide To Skin The Substances, Which Stimulate Collagen Synthesis and Help Repair Damage To Collagen Fibres . That exactly, we are providing through our COLLAGENE CREAM and SERUM. Products are available through our website.
Learn and make wise choices
Such a great idea!
i love to truay this product’s
I think the benefits of this natural perfume would be a life changer for me. I can identify completely with skin reactions to allergens that are used in products I rely on daily.
I think the benefits of this natural perfume would be a life changer for me. I can identify completely with skin reactions to allergens that are used in products I rely on daily. I need to learn to make wise choices.
Wow!!!! Sounds amazing = will be trying very soon!
Love to try some!
I have recently been diagnosed with multiple severe allergies, I would love to try a perfume that doesn’t make me react. I really think the amount of chemicals I use on my skin and in my food has contributed to the allergies.
Hi Jade,
Thank you for the comment! We are sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with several allergies , due to multiple chemical sensitivity.
Beautiful scents are a part of the Nature’s Treasure, and that is what we are providing..
Unfortunately, due to hidden chemicals in synthetic perfumes , the vicious cycle of allergies and toxicity can start right from the mother’s womb, and after that exposure to those chemicals will worsen the situation.
It sounds like an amazing products to try. . It was an interesting read indeed. I love mild fragrances & perfumes nothing overpowering the scents.
Hi Tammy,
thank you for the comment! Yes, we are sure that you would find gentle and beautiful scents from our collection fitting your criteria. We are also going to introduce a “Discovery Collection” 🙂
This sounds wonderful those allergic chemicals in fragrance to see this without is excellent. Would love to try
The most important thing we can do is look after our environment!
it seems so obvious when you present your case.
Fantastic product!
Beauty should never be about harming ourselves or our environment.
I love using natural perfumes as I don’t like chemical and artificial perfumes that give me rashes.
So natural sounds amazing
Can’t wait to smell this fragrance!