Allergens

Careful management of allergens

Fragrance brings delight to daily life, yet a small fraction of its ingredients can provoke skin sensitisation. Dermatology surveillance suggests that fewer than three percent of people develop a fragrance allergy, but vigilance is essential. The industry therefore bases every new perfume on a global safety framework that sets strict limits for potential sensitisers, updates them as science evolves, and increasingly complements them with clear consumer labelling.

Managing exposure

Fragrance allergens are substances that may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. These reactions, such as allergic contact dermatitis, occur when the immune system responds to specific ingredients. Regulations require the identification and labelling of known allergens in consumer products, enabling individuals to make informed decisions. The fragrance industry collaborates with scientific bodies and regulators to assess these substances and implement safety measures.

Keeping real-world exposure below the level that can trigger sensitisation is the cornerstone of fragrance safety. Toxicologists first identify which substances may bind to skin proteins. Dose-response studies then show how much of each substance is needed to start that process.

Perfumers model typical use — whether it is a soap rinsed away in seconds or a fine fragrance worn all day — and incorporate generous safety margins. The resulting International Fragrance Association (IFRA) Standards apply worldwide and are reinforced by ingredient declarations on product labels.

Allergens and the the IFRA Standards

Every IFRA Standard blends hazard identification, exposure analysis and risk assessment. Data is constantly updated: if consumer habits change, exposure models are revised. Because the Standards are embedded in IFRA’s Code of Practice, adherence is compulsory for member companies and expected by major brands worldwide.

International Dialogue for the Evaluation of Allergens (IDEA)

The International Dialogue for the Evaluation of Allergens (IDEA) brings together fragrance houses, finished-product companies, academic dermatologists and regulators to refine allergen risk assessment. Since 2013 the initiative has pooled human, laboratory and in-silico data, driven advances in non-animal testing and published open-access guidance reviewed each year by an independent supervisory panel. Findings from IDEA feed directly into updates of the IFRA Standards and inform global policy discussions, ensuring that allergen management stays transparent, current and firmly science-based.