Lead-In
I’ve lost count of how many times clients have asked me, “How do I make my formula fragrance-free without ruining the user experience?” It’s a great question — especially now that salons, distributors, and skincare shop owners are seeing more customers with sensitive skin than ever. And trust me, after years of working with formulas at Amarrie, I can tell you: going fragrance-free is not just about removing the smell. It’s also about understanding allergen risks, how IFRA works, and how to keep your formula stable.
Quick Answer (Up to 300 characters)
Fragrance-free and low-allergen skincare focuses on removing added perfume compounds while minimizing known sensitizers. IFRA standards guide which fragrance materials are restricted, and proper risk control ensures formulas remain safe, stable, and compliant.
Why This Topic Matters (Read On)
If you’re building your own skincare line — whether it's a serum, cream, or facial cleanser — understanding IFRA and allergen control isn’t optional. It protects your customers, your brand reputation, and your long-term sales.
What Is IFRA and Why Does It Matter?
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) creates global safety standards for fragrance ingredients. Even if your formula is “fragrance-free,” IFRA guidelines help you understand what’s considered an allergen and how much of it can safely be used.
So, what does IFRA actually do?
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Evaluates fragrance ingredient safety
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Issues IFRA Standards (restricted, prohibited, and concentration limits)
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Ensures consumer protection
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Guides cosmetic brands on allergen risk
Remember: even natural ingredients — like essential oils — can be IFRA-regulated. I’ve had clients insist on “all natural,” only to discover their chosen essential oil has multiple EU-listed allergens.
What Does “Fragrance‑Free” Really Mean?
A lot of people misunderstand this term. “Fragrance-free” doesn’t mean the product has no scent — it means no added fragrance compounds.
A formula can still have a natural smell from:
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botanical extracts
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carrier oils
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actives (like niacinamide or peptides)
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emulsifiers
At Amarrie, when clients request fragrance-free OEM/ODM production, we always double-check their desired raw ingredient list — sometimes they unknowingly pick an extract that naturally contains allergens like linalool, limonene, or geraniol.
Low‑Allergen Formulation: What You Need to Avoid
To create a low-allergen formula, you need to minimize or eliminate common sensitizers.
Here are the main categories we look at in our R&D team:
1. Fragrance Allergens (EU 26 Allergens)
These include:
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Limonene
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Linalool
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Citral
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Geraniol
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Coumarin
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Eugenol
Even natural plant oils can contain these — a huge shock to new brand owners.
2. Harsh Essential Oils
Tea tree, peppermint, citrus oils, cinnamon, and clove oils are frequent irritants.
3. Sensitizing Preservatives
At Amarrie, we use a mild preservative system (preservative safety reference) to reduce irritation while keeping formulas safe.
4. Heavy Fragrant Botanicals
Certain flowers and herbs naturally carry allergens.
When clients want the gentlest formula possible, we do a full review of every single raw material supplier — especially for serums, eye creams, and baby-care products.
How IFRA Impacts Your Formula
IFRA classifies products into categories. Skincare products fall under categories like 4 (body creams), 5 (face creams), or 9 (rinse-off products). Each category has its own maximum allowed concentration for fragrance compounds.
Here’s how IFRA affects your product development:
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Your fragrance supplier must provide an IFRA Certificate
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The certificate tells you the allowable dosage for your product type
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You cannot exceed those limits during formulation
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Even "natural fragrances" must meet IFRA safety levels
When we develop custom fragrances for private-label customers, we always request updated IFRA certificates from our raw material supplier — this step protects you from compliance problems in the EU, US, Middle East, and Africa (see global cosmetic compliance overview here).
Risk Control: How We Keep Your Formula Safe
Here’s how our R&D team ensures every formula meets low-allergen standards:
1. Ingredient Pre‑Screening
We check every raw material for hidden sensitizers. Many clients don’t realize that even certain plant extracts can trigger allergies.
2. Allergen-Limit Calculations
We calculate exact concentrations based on IFRA Standards.
3. Substitute High‑Risk Ingredients
If a client’s dream fragrance fails safety margins, we help redesign it.
4. Stability & Compatibility Testing
This ensures formulas don’t oxidize — oxidized oils often increase irritation.
5. Full Documentation: MSDS, COA, Stability Report
For every OEM/ODM order, we provide all necessary safety documentation.
Fragrance-Free vs Unscented — Not the Same!
A quick breakdown:
| Term | What It Means | Common Misunderstanding |
|---|---|---|
| Fragrance-Free | No added fragrance; no masking agents | People assume it has no smell (it can!) |
| Unscented | May contain masking fragrance to cover odors | People think it's fragrance-free |
With our OEM clients, we always make sure they understand this difference — especially when selling in the U.S. where shoppers are very particular.
How Amarrie Helps You Develop Low‑Allergen, IFRA‑Compliant Products
We’ve been doing this for over 20 years, so we’ve seen every situation — from clients wanting essential-oil-only formulas to brands needing ultra-gentle baby skincare.
Here’s the support we usually provide:
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IFRA-compliant formulation design
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Ingredient allergen screening
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Natural scent optimization without fragrance
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All regulatory documents (MSDS, COA, Stability Reports)
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EU, FDA, and global compliance support
Clients often tell me they appreciate how we break everything down in simple language — no technical jargon, no surprises.
Final Thoughts
Skincare shoppers today are smart. They look for “fragrance-free,” “low allergen,” and “dermatologist-tested” on the label. And with good reason — they want products that feel good and protect their skin.
If you’re planning to add a fragrance-free or sensitive-skin-friendly product to your line, I’d be happy to walk you through what’s worked for other brands we manufacture.
👉 Just send me a message anytime — we’ve helped thousands of businesses create safe, gentle, and compliant skincare products.