Fragrance and Sensitive Skin: What to Know Before You Choose

Some scents spark nostalgia — maybe you remember the Cucumber Melon and Plumeria era of the 90s. Those classic scents were fun, but they also introduced most of us to synthetic fragrance, which is still widely used today in lotions, perfumes, scrubs, and body sprays.

If you’ve ever dealt with irritation, dryness, or redness from scented products, this is why understanding the type of fragrance matters — especially if you have sensitive skin.

Here's what to know so you can choose scents that smell good and feel good.

What “Fragrance” Really Means on a Label

When you see “fragrance” listed as an ingredient, it often represents a blend of many lab-created compounds, grouped under one name. Companies aren’t required to disclose these specific ingredients because the formulas are considered trade secrets.

Most synthetic fragrance blends are safe in small amounts — but for sensitive skin, they can sometimes trigger:

• Redness

• Itching

• Dry patches

• Breakouts

• Irritation after shaving or waxing

If you’ve ever reacted to a scented lotion or wash, the fragrance was likely the reason.

What About Natural Fragrance and Essential Oils?

There are two main ways to scent skincare naturally:

Both are plant-based and free from petrochemical fragrance additives.

Many people with sensitive skin tolerate these far better than synthetic fragrance.

Why We Choose These Options at Scrub Me Good

We use:

• Essential oils

• Natural fragrance oils

• And in some products — no added fragrance at all

This keeps our formulas:

• Gentle on sensitive skin

• Ideal for post-wax care

• Free from heavy perfume-like scents

• Easy to incorporate into daily body routine

And When Less is Best: Unscented Still Smells Good

Our unscented formulations still have a light, natural aroma from the oils themselves — especially the virgin coconut oil in our scrub and butter base. No added fragrance, just a subtle skin-soothing scent.

All of our exfoliating sugar scrubs are designed with sensitive skin in mind, with our sensitive skin sugar scrub staying as a true fragrance free option.

Quick Guide: Choosing the Right Scent Option