ABSTRACT
ADVERSE REACTIONS TO FRAGRANCE INGREDIENTS A few fragrance ingredients are banned by industry because of their neurotoxicity or carcinogenic properties (www.ifraorg. org), but the majority of fragrance ingredients have not been evaluated at all for systemic effects or poorly so. Effects on the respiratory organs from inhalation of perfumes have been described, mediated by sensory or irritant mechanisms (2). Skin reactions as contact urticaria, photoallergy, and phototoxicity are well recognized but infrequent skin side effects. Psoralens in naturally occurring fragrance ingredients were previously the cause of phototoxic reactions giving rise to acute erythema and followed by long-standing hyperpigmentation. The content of the light sensitivity-inducing substances is now regulated and the problem has diminished. In the 1970s, the fragrance ingredient musk ambrette was the cause of an epidemic of photoallergy, particularly in men following the use of after-shave. The usage of musk ambrette was reduced and in 1995 the substance was prohibited from use in cosmetics in Europe (https://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/cosmetics/cosing).
