The exokiss journal · skincare · 6 min read
Fragrance-free vs unscented: what the label means in a moisturizer
By the exokiss team ·
In short
- Fragrance-free means no fragrance materials and no masking scents were used in the product.
- Unscented means the product has no obvious smell. It may still contain ingredients that hide the smell of the others.
- Neither word promises "no smell at all". A fragrance-free cream can still smell faintly of its own ingredients.
- The label is a hint. The ingredient list is the proof.
Fragrance-free vs unscented sounds like a choice between two words for the same thing. It is not. One describes what went into the jar, and the other describes what your nose picks up. If you are choosing a moisturizer because scent bothers your skin, or just because you do not want your face to smell of anything, the difference matters.
Fragrance-free vs unscented: the difference
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Safer Choice program puts it in two lines. Fragrance-free means that fragrance materials or masking scents are not used in the product. Unscented generally means the product may contain chemicals that neutralize or mask the odors of other ingredients.
The FDA makes the same point about cosmetics: even some products labeled "unscented" may contain fragrance ingredients, because a maker can add just enough to cover an unpleasant smell without giving the product a noticeable scent.
| On the label | What it usually means | Can it still have a smell? | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fragrance-free | No fragrance materials and no masking scents were used | Yes, faintly, from the ingredients themselves | No "Fragrance" or "Parfum" in the list, and no essential oils if you avoid those too |
| Unscented | Made to have no obvious smell | It should not, but a masking scent may be doing that work | Look for "Fragrance" or "Parfum" in the list |
| No added fragrance | No perfume was added, but an ingredient brings its own scent | Yes, lightly | Which ingredient the scent comes from |
| Scented, or no claim | Fragrance, essential oils or both | Yes | The scent notes, and whether that suits your skin |
One caution: these words have no single, universally agreed definition, so brands do not all use them the same way. McGill University's Office for Science and Society notes that a fragrance-free product can contain an ingredient that has a smell, as long as it was not added for its smell. That is why reading the list beats trusting the front of the pack.
How to read the ingredient list
- Look for "Fragrance" or "Parfum". Under U.S. rules, a cosmetic's fragrance ingredients can be listed with that one word instead of being named one by one. If the word is there, the product contains fragrance, whatever the front says.
- Look for essential oils. They appear by plant name followed by "oil", such as lavender oil or citrus peel oil. Under U.S. law, ingredients from plants are handled the same as those from any other source, so "natural" does not mean unscented.
- Look at the end of the list. Names such as linalool, limonene and geraniol are scent components. On our scented products they are marked as coming from natural essential oils.
- If you are unsure, ask the brand. The FDA's own advice for people concerned about fragrance is to choose fragrance-free products, check the ingredient list carefully and contact the manufacturer with questions.
How we use these words at exokiss
We use three levels, and each one is a statement about the formula, not about how strong the smell is.
| Product | What the label says | What that means in the formula |
|---|---|---|
| Fragrance-Free Moisturizer | Fragrance-free | No fragrance and no essential oils in the ingredient list |
| Niacinamide Serum | Fragrance-free | No fragrance and no essential oils |
| Caffeine Eye Patches | Fragrance-free | Fragrance-free, dermatologically tested |
| Scalp Serum | Fragrance-free | Eight ingredients, no Parfum and no essential oils |
| Clay Mask | No added fragrance | No fragrance and no essential oils; the clay has a faint note of its own |
| Hydrating Toner | No added fragrance | No perfume added; organic rose flower water gives a faint herbal, floral scent |
The line between the two groups is the honest part. The Hydrating Toner contains rose flower water, and rose water smells like something. Nothing was added to perfume it, but we do not call it fragrance-free, because you will notice a light scent. The Clay Mask smells faintly of clay for the same reason.
Everything else in our range that has a scent says so on its page, with the scent notes and the fragrance ingredients listed. If a product page does not say fragrance-free or no added fragrance, assume it is scented.
What is in our Fragrance-Free Moisturizer
The base is organic aloe leaf juice, the first ingredient on the list. Sodium PCA draws in moisture, two forms of hyaluronic acid hydrate for a plumped look, and organic jojoba oil softens without a greasy feel. The texture is creamy and the finish is dewy.
It is COSMOS Organic certified by Ecocert Greenlife, 100% natural origin, vegan and cruelty-free, with no parabens, no silicones and a pH of 5.0 to 5.3. It is made for all skin types, including dehydrated and sensitive skin, and comes in a 1.69 fl oz (50 mL) pump bottle. Use it morning and night, after cleansing and any serum.
Building a routine with no scent at all
If you want nothing scented on your face, two steps cover it:
- Serum: the Niacinamide Serum, with 1% niacinamide, apple extract and hyaluronic acid. Massage a small amount into cleansed skin, morning and night. Our guide on how to use a niacinamide serum has the detail.
- Moisturizer: the Fragrance-Free Moisturizer on top.
For tired-looking under-eyes, the Caffeine Eye Patches are fragrance-free too; see how long to leave eye patches on. For the scalp, the Scalp Serum is a weekly, rinse-off step with no scent, covered in how to exfoliate your scalp.
One thing to watch: your cleanser. Our Oil-to-Milk Cleanser does have a scent, so if you want every step unscented, check the cleanser you use as carefully as the cream.
Who should choose fragrance-free
Scent in skincare is a preference for most people. For some it is more than that. The FDA notes that some components of fragrance formulas may cause allergic reactions or sensitivities in some people, even though they are safe for most.
The American Academy of Dermatology tells people with dry skin to use products labeled "fragrance-free", and warns that "unscented" products can contain chemicals that neutralize or hide other odors, which can irritate dry, sensitive skin. So if your skin is dry, easily bothered, or you simply cannot tell what is setting it off, fragrance-free is the safer label to shop by. Patch test any new product on a small area first, and see a dermatologist about reactions that keep coming back.
Shop the four exokiss products made without any added scent in our fragrance-free skincare collection.
Frequently asked questions
What does fragrance-free moisturizer mean?
It means no fragrance materials and no masking scents were used to make it. Check the ingredient list for the words "Fragrance" or "Parfum" to confirm.
Is unscented the same as fragrance-free?
No. Unscented means the product has no obvious smell, and it may contain ingredients that mask the smell of the others. Fragrance-free means no fragrance or masking scent was used.
Can a fragrance-free product still have a smell?
Yes. Ingredients such as plant oils, clays and extracts have their own faint smell. Fragrance-free means nothing was added to create or hide a scent.
Are essential oils fragrance?
They are plant-derived scent ingredients, and U.S. law handles ingredients from plants the same as any others. Our fragrance-free products contain no fragrance and no essential oils.
What does "no added fragrance" mean?
On our pages it means no perfume was added, but an ingredient has a light scent of its own. Our Hydrating Toner, for example, gets a faint scent from organic rose flower water.
Which exokiss products are fragrance-free?
The Fragrance-Free Moisturizer, Niacinamide Serum, Caffeine Eye Patches and Scalp Serum. The Clay Mask and Hydrating Toner have no added fragrance.
Sources
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Safer Choice Fact Sheet: Fragrance-Free. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-10/documents/saferchoice-factsheet-fragrancefree_0.pdf
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Fragrances in Cosmetics. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/fragrances-cosmetics
McGill University Office for Science and Society. What is the difference between "Unscented" and "Fragrance-free" products? https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/quirky-science-you-asked/what-difference-between-unscented-and-fragrance-free-products
American Academy of Dermatology. Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/dermatologists-tips-relieve-dry-skin
Product details are taken from the exokiss product pages. This article is general information, not medical advice.
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