Fragrance Free K-Beauty

These days, there is a lot more talk about fragrance in skincare. Some "skinfluencers" like Hyram swear that all fragrance is bad and should be avoided. Others, like Labmuffin Beauty Science, take a more balanced approached and claim that fragrance is fine for the vast majority of people. 

No matter which side of the fence you sit on, there are now plenty of K-Beauty brands that create products just for you. These days, most K-Beauty products will have low levels of fragrance or be completely fragrance-free.

Do you need to go fragrance free?  Let’s find out!

What is fragrance-free skincare?

It’s important to know what a skincare brand means when they’re advertising their products as fragrance-free. 

For example, is a skincare product marketed as ‘unscented’?  This usually means that the product does not include added scents to mask the natural scent of their ingredients.  This is often the case if a product is using particular extracts that don’t smell appealing.

If a product is considered fragrance-free, you would be safe to assume that it doesn’t contain any artificial fragrances.  However, that doesn’t mean you won’t find any fragrance in it.  Essential oils are a common replacement in many fragrance-free products that market themselves on not using "artificial" fragrances.

It’s therefore important to check the labels and work out what products mean when they say they’re fragrance-free, and figure out whether artificial fragrances and/or essential oils can work with your skin.

Should I be concerned about fragrance in my skincare?

The main takeaway about fragrances (whether artificial or natural) is this – while fragrances may be a cause of sensitive skin, not all skin is made sensitive by fragrance. In fact, studies show that as few as 2-5% of people in the general population have an actual fragrance allergy. 

People like dermatologists often recommend fragrance free skincare products because this is a safe recommendation for them to make. The majority of people who consult a dermatologist in the first place are people who have serious skin issues, so naturally a specialist recommends them the safest possible option. 

Unfortunately, fragrance-free skincare options often don't smell the best. This is because the smell of the raw ingredients themselves is quite strong. Fragrance is often added to mask this smell. 

That said, if you’ve done the work and know that fragrances aren’t right for you, we’ve got you covered!

Unscented K-Beauty Products

Here are a few of our favourite unscented K-Beauty products:

Subi Holo Dream Mask – This brightening and pore minimising face mask has the lot, with none of the stuff that triggers sensitivities.  Free from both artificial fragrances AND essential oils, Holo Dream is packed with Kakadu Plum, Ceramides, Sodium Hyaluronate and Kaolin. It works to detoxify, clarify, brightening and minimise any problem pores.

Jelly Ko White Truffle Souffle Serum and Refill - One pump is all you need to transform dull, dry, rough, irritated and sensitive skin. Our whip soft, soufflé-textured serum reinforces skin’s barrier, increases elasticity, restores moisture and improves the look of fine lines.  It's free from artificial fragrance, colours and dyes. 

Subi Brightening Powder Cleanser – This unscented cleanser packs a two-in-one punch!  Ultra-versatile and perfect for everyday use, Brightening Powder Cleanser works as both an exfoliator and facial cleanser for smoother, more even-toned and radiant skin.

Jelly Ko Overnight Dream Serum and Refill -  Enriched with Retinol, Collagen, Squalane, 4 types of HyaluronicAcid, and Licorice extract, this jelly-textured serum is designed to refine skin texture and diminish signs of aging. It works overnight to smooth texture, even tone, and target areas of dark discolouration so that you wake up to the complexion of your dreams. It's free from artificial fragrance, colours and dyes. 

Which fragrance free K-Beauty products have you tried? Drop them in the comments below!

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