Fragrance in Baby Care: The Scented Truth (and the 0.001% Rule)
There's a lot of confusion about fragrance in baby products. Is it a 'no-go', or can it actually be a safe enrichment? At Olunaya, we make a sharp distinction between synthetic fragrances, the power of nature, and the delicate nature of baby skin.
100% Natural Origin
The biggest misconception is that all fragrances are the same. Regular cosmetics often use cheap synthetic fragrances that are chemically formulated to linger for an extremely long time.
At Olunaya, we do things differently: our fragrance is always 100% of natural origin. We only use extracts derived directly from plants, flowers, or fruits. No chemical imitations, but the pure, gentle essence of nature.
Is 'Natural' always safe? (The Nettle Test)
Many brands tout "100% natural," but natural isn't automatically synonymous with 'mild.' Think of a nettle: it's 100% natural, but you wouldn't want to rub it on your baby's skin. Only when you make soup from it (processing and dosing it correctly) does it become safe and beneficial.
The same applies to substances like Linalool or Limonene. These are natural components of plants, but in too high a dosage, they can be irritating to delicate baby skin. That's why we look beyond just the term 'natural'; we assess whether an ingredient is truly gentle enough for the little ones.
Decoding the INCI List: When is what listed?
As a parent, it's helpful to know how to read a label (the INCI list). There are strict rules for declaring fragrances, laid down in the EU Cosmetics Regulation:
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The collective term 'Parfum' (Fragrance): This may appear on the label for the entire fragrance composition.
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The 0.001% Rule: As soon as a specific natural component (such as Linalool) exceeds a fraction of 0.001% in a leave-on product (like oil or lotion), it must legally be declared separately.
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The Dosage: Ingredients are listed in descending order of quantity. If 'Parfum' is at the very bottom? Then the dosage is minimal. Just enough for a pleasant moment of comfort, but always with respect for the skin barrier.
Based on Science and Safety
At Olunaya, we base our choices on facts. Our formulations follow the recommendations of the SCCS (the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety of the EU). This means that every natural fragrance we use has been extensively tested and found safe according to the highest international standards.
Pure, Gentle & Transparent
With Olunaya, you choose honesty. No hidden chemicals and no aggressive extracts, but the gentlest care that nature has to offer.
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