Let’s Talk About It: Fragrance In The Workplace

A photo of just a small selection of Gail’s perfumes 

Does the perfume you wear to work draw compliments or complaints? Are your scented products healing or hazardous? A few days ago I received a call from the producer of a local radio show asking me for my take on perfume in the workplace.  Coincidentally, on the same day, Michelyn Camen, ÇaFleureBon Editor in Chief, was contacted by a writer for a French publication who had read two of Michelyn’s 2010 posts, Perfume…the New Second Hand Smoke?(her op-ed piece on March 23 when CaFleureBon was only 2 days old)  and Purview: Our Fragrant Future is at Stake – Five Perfumers Speak Out.  For me, as a lover of fragrance and a perfume reviewer with multiple food and drug allergies (and chemical sensitivities) the phone calls signaled a resurrection and escalation of the controversy that Michelyn has been addressing for years.

This comment was recently left by a highly allergic person who came across Michelyn’s 2010 article

Today fragrance in the workplace seems more topical and contested than ever before, especially in the English (as a first language) speaking world. I found that my response to this issue vacillated between my love of perfumes (evidenced by my large fragrance collection) and my personal understanding of and compassion for those who suffer from MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity). 

via pixby.com apped by Gail

So what is MCS? According to Anne Steinman of the University of Melbourne, Australia,  “MCS is a serious and potentially disabling disease that is widespread and increasing in the US…People with MCS are like human canaries. They react earlier and more severely to chemical pollutants, even at low levels.”  Even though the symptoms of MCS are very real and can be life threatening, it has yet to be recognized as an illness by the American Medical Association.  MCS is often dismissed as “psychosomatic” or attributed to “anxiety disorders”. For those who suffer from these sensitivities (myself included) it matters little if the problems originate as physical, emotional or neurological reactions. Upon exposure to off-gassing from construction materials, office equipment and supplies, or to the scents of personal products including perfumes – people with true MCS can suffer a variety of symptoms ranging from a vague feeling of discomfort, dizziness and nausea to asthma and even anaphylaxis. From my own experience I know that MCS is nothing to sniff at and I have to admit that it really makes me angry when people relegate my very real issues with latex paint to an overactive imagination.

Photo from pixby.com apped by Gail

MCS aside – we know that scent can heal as well as possibly harm.Sr. Editor Ida Meister, in her Perfume Plume award-winning article for ÇaFleureBon, Scent and Healing: The Transformative Power of Perfume documents the healing power of fragrance in her practice as a registered nurse. ÇaFleureBon Contributor Tammy Schuster commented in the same post about her experience with Solstice Scents Guardian while she was very sick and “all but comatose”.  It is important to remember that a specific scent (or food for that matter) might be toxic to one person and comforting and health giving to another. The fact that scent is linked to the limbic system could account for healing properties as well as for harmful effects.

A label from Gail’s perfume bottle (do you know what ALL these ingredients are?)

That being said, I am the first to admit that perfumes, and  fragrance in the workplace  can be especially problematic. Despite regulations designed to protect the allergic and the chemically sensitive, consumers still have little knowledge of what is in a fragrance and consequently which element is responsible for reactions.  Ingredient lists on the back of perfume boxes often read something like this:  Alcohol Denat., Acqua (water), Parfum (fragrance), limonene, citral, Eugenal, geraniol, etc. The formulas for the Parfum itself (the fragrance) remain proprietary.  Even though the “secret” ingredients that define the perfume may have been certified safe by one means or another (often animal testing, but that’s another story), the formulas or their individual components can still pose serious health problems for those with MCS.

Giorgio Beverly Hills 1981 was banned in restaurants in NYC and elsewhere

When we think of perfume “censorship” and control, the 1980s ban of Georgio Beverly Hills by several restaurants comes immediately to mind. Styles in perfume have changed radically since YSL Opium and the other focused scent bombs of the 1970s and 80s. Many of today’s popular fragrances are not only gender neutral, but vague and ambiguous as well – for want of a better description, they smell like “nothing” and recommended to wear as fragrance in the workplace. Fortunately for me I have several scented options that offer the complexity of great perfumes coupled with intimate sillage.  As I work closely with students in my piano studio I find that extraits, skin scents, hair mists, body lotions and natural botanical solid perfumes will provide me pleasure while not distracting from the lesson. (see the Sherri Sebastian Provisions line for a wonderful selection of lightly scented personal and home care products.) 

Pepe le pew eez he wearing too much of zee perfume for zee office

Just like we prefer not to be bombarded with other people’s music, it is only reasonable to expect that fragrance in the workplace (especially an office or studio where you share your space with others), and that perfume not extend beyond our personal space. The mid twentieth century days of liberally dousing scent are gone, vanished with the Madmen and their second hand smoke.  Unfortunately the use of perfume is now often equated with risks similar to those of tobacco. The use of fragrance in the work place has devolved into struggle for control over personal space and freedoms as well as a clash between junk science (carelessly designed studies funded and skewed by the payee) and bona fide research.

   

As “perfumistas”  we are but a very small percentage of fragrance consumers. Nevertheless our opinions and preferences often dictate trends in perfumery.We would like to know what you think about fragrance in the workplace. Do you have or know someone with MCS?   Should companies be more transparant about the aroma chemicals and natural ingredients  in our perfume, personal care and other scented products?

via FastCompany©

Not only a ban on fragrance in the workplace, but what are your thoughts about in schools,on airplanes, at concert venues and all enclosed spaces? Do you think it is possible that someday perfumery, an art that mankind has engaged in and enjoyed for millennia, will be banned and considered as dangerous second hand smoke? If you are a perfumer, please join in !  Let’s talk about it.

Gail Gross – Senior Editor

Michelyn in front of the CHANEL no 5 bottle at the exhibit May 5, 2015 (photo by perfumer Yann Vasnier)

Art Direction: Michelyn Camen – Editor in Chief ~Today is the birthday of CHANEL no 5, May 5, 1921, possibly the most iconic fragrance in the world. Imagine life and culture without it?

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17 comments

  • Lola N says:

    Having such love for perfume it is hard for me to swallow the feelings I really have about this issue. On the one hand I don’t want the government to restrict me any more than they already do, especially over something so trivial. One the other hand I am a nurse and have worked in a hospital for 20 years. I have never been allowed to wear scent to work so I wouldn’t even think about it. When your dealing with people with respiratory issues and things like MCS, which the article mentions it doesn’t cross your mind to apply perfume before work. I also have my own sensitivities and there are some perfumes that make me sneeze.
    I feel when it comes to perfume people should use common sense. I want to smell great at all times but maybe on that long flight where Im going to be sharing intimate space with a stranger it’s not the time to douse myself with Dior Addict. Work is something that a lot of us have no choice in doing. We have to go to make money. It should also be a safe place. Safe for all. Although I really dislike restrictions people need to be able to work and not worry about getting a headache or a reaction because someone sprayed too much perfume. If Im out in public and someone reeks I can simply walk away. At work its not that simple. You can’t just quit your job.

  • Vicki says:

    MCS is real – my mom had it in the cleaning products section of the grocery store and I do too and I still remember years ago having to go to work while my area was being painted and no I couldn’t go home sick. This may be why I prefer lighter fragrances unlike some other perfume lovers. But that said I oppose banning them in closed spaces. A better solution in my opinion is simply being thoughtful of those who disagree and behaving accordingly – people with sensitivities can be mindful of fragrance’spower to heal and comfort. Perfume lovers at the same time can be mindful of what they wear where, and how much. Simple thoughtfulness.

  • Annatar says:

    MCS must be a terrible condition. Here in Russia a lot of people still don’t consider a depression to be a real illness, I’m pretty sure that MCS would be laughed at. I don’t think I’ve ever noticed any restrictions on perfume use, and I don’t think I’ll live long enough to see any. Would I welcome them? Probably yes if it comes to using perfumes in enclosed spaces. Bath lines are a great choice for someone who respects other people’s boundaries.

    As for the chemicals used in perfumes and personal care, I’ve been reading all about them for a few years now, and there are tons of stuff we shouldn’t be applying on our skin or inhaling but we do, for instance, BHT, a derivative of phenol, is used as an antioxidant but is potentially harmful. It can be found in perfumes, creams and even lipsticks.
    Having said that, I don’t think we should go crazy over the ingredients unless there’s a real hazard to our health.

  • Just Add Light says:

    I can easily write several articles on this very subject, pertaining to the understanding of environmental psychosomatic interactions, the persistent rise of global toxicants, psychoneuroimmunology, transpersonal consciousness phenomena and a variety of other related issues. The short of it is that it’s complicated – perhaps more complicated than any single individual can comprehend.

    The impact of any perceptual physical or mental element is moderated by both conscious and unconscious aspects. Speaking as a practicing therapist, under the right conditions, you can program an individual’s biology to respond favourably or unfavourably to almost anything, without conscious intervention. As a result, I sometimes use fragrances in my practice to achieve this very goal. The unfortunate truth however, is that we love to find convenient scapegoats for our health troubles that may in fact be long term physiological adaptations to more deep seated emotional and lifestyle issues. Self-reflection and targetted probing of the unconscious mind may hold the key.

  • D..... says:

    I love my fragrance but I am so through with people forcing it on the rest of the world.

  • Robert H. says:

    Most people who know me know that my spouse of 22 years is highly allergic to fragrance and aromachemicals, which has made life as a perfumista/reviewer challenging. But I think part of the answer lies in the article-included comment by Carolyn T. when she states that “Chemically reproduced scents cause me to have….” With the prolific rise of all-natural and organic fragrances in the world, there are so many choices for perfume made without chemicals. I’ve noticed in my own household that fragrance sans aromachems often go unnoticed by my allergy-ridden spouse, and that has been eye-opening indeed. But it’s a fine line out in public, as Gail correctly states there is a middle ground with skin-scents and not over-applying. I always tell the young teenagers in our community to remember the adage; “Spray, delay, walk away” as the perfect formula for applying scent. Spray the air in front of you, wait 2-3 seconds, then walk thru the fragrance cloud. You’ll end up with just the right amount, and most importantly… just because you CAN’T smell it doesn’t mean others can’t.

  • fazalcheema says:

    Anyone who has been to perfume forums know few things one of which is the fact that most people are obsessed with huge projection. It is not uncommon for me to read that some people spray 6-7 times to be the low end and 10-12 sprays seems normal to them. I have found myself in the minority in that I don’t desire huge projection but like my perfumes to be detectable to only those within my personal space. My spray rule tends to be between 2-4 sprays, depending upon the perfume those this is not an ironclad rule. I will spray only 1 if the perfume is too strong or maybe 5-6 if the perfume is too light but cases like these are quite rare for me.

    I love perfumes but I also believe we don’t have a right to assault other people with our perfumes and I don’t know why some people don’t get after wearing perfumes for years that not everyone wants to smell your perfume. And I also believe not everyone who complains is simply trying to piss off us; many often have legitimate reasons for complaining.

    This also tells me that those who wear perfume because they are intrigued by the art of scent are in the minority and such people often wear perfumes for themselves. Most perfume collectors seek compliments and basically wear perfumes so that they appear more desirable to other people. No wonder they overspray and their complaints about perfumes usually involve lack of projection.

  • Nir says:

    Chemical sensitivity is a big part of our lives, peanut allergies. Something that if you avoid completely that you will make worse. I grew up super sensitive to perfumes. My mom would spray before going out to dinner in the 90s and I’d be choking in the car with her. Now I’m exposed to them all day and seem to be fine. It’s a problem that deserves our attention to find what isnt good for us and what does not impact us. We are learning more about the chemicals we put in and on our bodies and how to live better lives. I hope IFRA and the like will be able to figure out the right balance.

  • Larkin Small says:

    I think everything has been said here. This is an old debate, with these comments being pretty neutral!

    No, I don’t want perfume to be banned. For me, it’s uplifting and touches me on many different levels. I prefer to smell perfume on other people when I’m out in public. Even getting a whiff of Angel is a pleasant surprise, since it’s not overused any more, and most people aren’t dousing themselves.

    I was pleasantly surprised to smell the flight attendant’s perfume on the quick hop from Zurich to Madrid. So un-American! And so beguiling. It was sexy.
    I got to smell perfume in the streets so very much when I was in Madrid, it was such a pleasant experience. When I’m taking BART in San Francisco, it’s such a nice surprise to smell someone who smells good. Mostly, BART smells neutral at best, rather dingy usually, and sometimes awful. Same with the SF City streets. Bleah.

    I had a manager whose perfume could be smelled throughout the entire medical facility where I worked for almost 4 years. When I first started there, I hated it. At the end, I was used to it, but still thought it was really unprofessional. I get hot when I work now (photography) and so I don’t wear perfume, as I want the focus to be on my client and my work, not on my perfume.

    I do have some sympathy for people who are sensitive. Some of my perfumes actually make my partner choke, cough, and wheeze – even when he’s asleep, so I know it’s not just psychosomatic. I hate being exposed to people’s music and noise, and it’s so horrid to not be able to get away from it, I get angry, panicked, irritable. I would imagine the same goes for smells that affect you poorly.

  • Larkin Small says:

    Oh, PS: I would love to see all of the chemicals and ingredients listed out, especially in brands like Black Phoenix Alchemy lab, where some of their blends cause burning and irritation!!

    Educate the consumer so we can decided if we want something being absorbed by our largest organ, and going into our brains and into our bloodstream and our airways!!

    But that lack of knowledge isn’t stopping me from spraying liberally when I like a perfume.

  • tiffanie says:

    I have had migraine headache triggered by perfume, so I have learned to test new scents very carefully. I try to wear just one new perfume at a time. It’s frustrating to wear two new ones, have migraine begin, and then wonder if it was one or both perfumes that caused it. And then to feel fear of another headache after testing either one ever again. This experience makes me sympathetic to anyone who says fragrance from whatever source makes them uncomfortable.

    I’m like fazalcheema in that I want to scent myself and not an entire room. One or two sprays is usually my limit. And I agree with Larkin Small, it would be wonderful if ALL the chemicals and ingredients were listed. Then I could possibly pinpoint what causes my migraines. I have a similar complaint for the food industry. Many food products list “natural flavor” as an ingredient. What is that? Why keep it secret? Natural flavor can be many things, some of which can cause headache, poor sleep, mood changes, and other upsets.

    Producers keep their natural flavor and parfum ingredients secret to protect their competitive advantage. But for consumers with chemical sensitivities, these secrets are a tremendous disadvantage.

  • Amber says:

    Perfume making has been democratized, especially in the USA where there are many independent perfumers to choose from. Because of this trend you can find lots of perfumes that have low sillage and wear close to the body. In my own line I purposely design all my scents in an oil base format which wears longer but has less throw. This is my personal preference for perfumes but is also an important selling point for my clients. Ultimately, between the thoughtful choice of perfume and application you can find a scent to suit most any situation and still not cause harm or offense to anyone else. I think it just takes thoughtfulness and empathy for those with sensitivities.

  • Donna says:

    In my opinion, if fragrance is banned, we will have an increase of depression and possible anger in employees. Which can lead to some insane actions. Fragrance is not only worn for fashion, but for a person’s mood and well being. Also, if fragrance becomes banned, then that must mean all fragrance to include soap, body wash, deodorant, hairspray, gels, fabric softener and detergent, cleaning supplies for the offices, carpet cleaners, wood polishes, the list is daunting. I know I would rather ask a coworker to tone down their fragrance or have a policy in place that allows a business owner to instruct a employee not to wear certain fragrances instead of dealing with stinky unwashed people. We did it in the military. We weren’t allowed to wear a fragrance that caused a fellow service member to complain. Policies work if created and adopted.

  • B Comeau says:

    As I go about my day wherever, doing whatever I choose does not include being assaulted by the fragrance “YOU” chose to wear that day. Why do I want to or why should I be forced to smell you and YOUR choice of fragrance? These toxic chemicals disguised in fragrance designed to cling and permeate the shared environment are as bad and as unhealthy as second hand smoke. What you wear in fragranced products can impact my health. If you smell it, the chemicals are airborne and breathed into your brain and then into your blood stream. “You” chose to use these products laced with smelly chemicals, but I didn’t. My right to breathe fresh air is an inalienable right. Your freedom to wear fragrance does not trump my rights to fresh air. What if my choice was to walk around stinking of onion, garlic or skunk spritz—-they are fragrant too and not full of toxic, untested chemicals? Who are you to say what is pleasant? Nobody wants to or asked to smell your perfume where ever you go and do all day? Besides, because of all the perfume, in all of the products that you use daily, you are missing out on some of the most pleasurable things in life to be enjoyed and really smelled……food, herbs, wine, coffee, chocolate, flowers, the rain, trees and loved ones. Fragrance free living is the healthy way of life. Maybe you look good on the outside but quite possibly are “Chernobyl” on the inside from the hundreds of untested chemicals in products, including perfume that you use daily. #fragranceassault #Febreezedtodeath #petsagainstfragrance #Tideistoxic #cleanhasnoscent

  • Shelley Anderson says:

    I personally know firsthand that becoming ill from scents is real! But the becoming ill part aside, it is still such an infringement! Take a shower, put on scent free deodorant, and go. That is it! You are clean and protected without infringing on my right to not have to smell your disgusting perfume or cologne. I have had to stop going to church because of the intolerable scents of perfumes and colognes around me. What is the insecurity about? Why do people feel the need to cover up in it? Even a light amount is sickening to those of us with sensitive olfactory nerves! Just stop it! We go out as a family four times a year at grade card time (we don’t have a lot of money to spend on restaurants) to celebrate good grades. We all look forward to it and the kids take turns picking spots. Recently, we were in a Red Lobster and since it was a “special” celebration I ordered the lobster. Sadly, our waitress had on so much perfume that the only thing I could taste was her perfume. My meal was ruined! I could go on and on and on. I do think perfume should be banned everywhere except in the privacy of your home. It is such an infringement on the rights of others to breathe fresh air without having to be subjected to you you and your stink! (figuratively, I mean)