The most common allergic reactions to perfume or fragrance added to products is contact allergy, although other symptoms may occur, including allergic conjunctivitis.

During patch tests on dermatitis patients in the US, fragrance was found to be the most common allergen found in cosmetics.

Although products can be labeled "fragrance-free", many still contain lesser-known fragrance chemicals that consumers may not recognize.

Further reading

• Elberling J, Linneberg A, Dirksen A, Johansen JD, Frølund L, Madsen F, et al. Mucosal symptoms elicited by fragrance products in a population-based sample in relation to atopy and bronchial hyper-reactivity. Clin Exp Allergy 2005

• Kumar P, Caradonna-Graham VM, Gupta S, Cai X, Rao PN, Thompson J. Inhalation challenge effects of perfume scent strips in patients with asthma. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 1995