My Journey with Fragrance and Why It Matters to Us
You walk into a lovely store, maybe even one filled with beautiful scented candles. At first, they smell so fresh and inviting. But then, a few minutes later, your nose starts to itch, and a familiar headache begins to creep in. Or perhaps you're at the movie theater, settling in for a show, and a woman sits next to you – but sadly, her perfume arrived long before she did.
If these scenarios sound familiar, you're not alone. What we're experiencing is now being called "secondhand fragrance." It's the cocktail of chemicals released into the air from air fresheners, cleaning products, and those very scented candles, plus all the personal products people are wearing – from hairspray and shampoo to laundry detergents and, of course, perfumes and colognes. The truth is, everyone is involuntarily breathing this contaminated air, even if we ourselves choose not to wear fragranced products.
What's Wrong with a "Beautiful" Scent?
What could possibly be wrong with a beautiful fragrance or perfume? And my answer is, nothing at all, if it's a genuine, authentic, plant-derived, unadulterated essential oil. These incredible oils have been used for their lovely scents throughout history, naturally and effectively.
However, things shifted dramatically after World War II. That's when inexpensive, synthetic chemicals became abundantly available, allowing manufacturers to create fragrances that are widely used today. While they smell pleasant, these mass-produced scents can be toxic. And here's the kicker: you might be "nose-blind" or desensitized to the perfume or cologne you wear daily, but others around you aren't.
The Invisible Pollution in Our Homes and Public Spaces
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is very clear: indoor air pollution is a real concern, and fragrances play a part. They even state that our homes and offices "can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities." That's a sobering thought, isn't it? It means that even when we close our doors, we're not necessarily escaping pollutants.
This is why, here at Parisian's Pure Indulgence, we take indoor air quality and personal well-being seriously. Any scented product from us will only be scented with pure Essential Oils. This is how strongly we feel about eliminating synthetic fragrance oils from our products and your life.
For example, our beloved Sugared Butter Whip Body Polish, a consistent favorite in our body care line, is proudly scented with 5-fold Citrus Essential Oil. It's a testament to the fact that you don't need synthetic chemicals for a delightful and effective product. Essential oil scenting truly is best for both you and our precious environment.
Are you bothered by the perfumes or colognes others wear? Have you noticed these effects in your own life?
