Not So Sexy: Ingredients in your perfume?

About 10 years ago -  much to my disappointment - I noticed perfume was bothering me. I'd sneeze when applying it and experience runny eyes, and a pounding headache until I could wash it off.  Anything in a spray bottle was definitely out.

Luckily the response was limited to only a few bottles in my collection. But the problem wasn't only with my own products, I began to have the same reaction to the perfume and aftershave I encountered on other people throughout my day as well.

As I've gotten older I've become increasingly sensitive. I seem to be irritated by so many scents that abstaining totally has been the simplest solution.

Today I stumbled onto a great report on this subject from Environmental Working Group. Really, is there any other kind from them? But I digress. According to this report there are multiple "secret" ingredients in many perfumes and some of the known ingredients are chemicals associated with allergic reactions and hormone disruption. Potentially worse, many of the ingredients haven't even been assessed for safety in personal care products.

If you'd like to read the full report here's the link : Not so sexy