"Fragrance-Free" and "Unscented" Are Not the Same Thing
One actually leaves fragrance out. The other just hides it.
They sound identical on a shelf. They mean opposite things on a label.
"Unscented" can still contain fragrance
Here's the twist: unscented often means fragrance was added — a masking fragrance, specifically to cover the raw smell of the other ingredients. The product has no scent to you, but the fragrance chemicals are still in there.
"Fragrance-free" is the real one
Fragrance-free means no fragrance materials were added, full stop. For sensitive or reactive skin, that's the phrase that actually matters. The two are marketed as synonyms and are anything but.
Why it matters
"Fragrance" is the most common cause of cosmetic skin reactions, and it's a legal black box — one word can stand in for dozens of undisclosed chemicals. Choosing "unscented" thinking you dodged it is the exact trap.
The move
On anything for sensitive skin, ignore "unscented." Look for fragrance-free — and confirm the word fragrance or parfum doesn't appear in the ingredient list.
Ask kiiwii
- How do I know if it's truly fragrance-free?
- Why is fragrance irritating?
- Recommend a fragrance-free option
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