Audit· General — sensitive-skin marketing
Potentially Misleading"Fragrance-Free / Unscented"
US labeling rules permit fragranced ingredients in 'fragrance-free' products provided fragrance is not their sole function — preservatives and emulsifiers that happen to be aromatic don't trigger disclosure. 'Unscented' often means a 'masking fragrance' has been added. The 'fragrance' / 'parfum' line on an INCI list can legally hide up to ~50% of a formula as trade secret, including phthalates with documented endocrine-disrupting properties.
What to look for instead
Look for EWG Verified — it requires individual fragrance compounds within blends to be disclosed.
More claims under audit
Sources
- 01The Beauty Signal — Greenwashing Intelligence Report (Expanded)