Natural and synthetic perfume: ask the right questions

Modern perfumery can combine natural materials and synthetic molecules. Natural does not automatically mean allergy-free, and synthetic does not automatically mean low quality. Notes describe the smell and do not replace the ingredient declaration on the packaging.

Read the actual ingredient information and directions. IFRA Standards concern the safe use of particular materials; they should not be interpreted as IFRA approving every finished perfume individually. The products below illustrate different compositions. They are not classified here as wholly natural, synthetic or hypoallergenic, because those claims cannot be established from note names alone.