"Fragrance-free" vs "unscented": the label difference sensitive skin should know
They sound the same but are not:
- Fragrance-free usually means no fragrance was added (no parfum, no fragrant essential oils).
- Unscented can mean a masking fragrance was added to cover the smell of the base.
On a Korean INCI list, look for 향료 (fragrance) and essential oils. Common fragrance allergens such as linalool and limonene are often listed separately too.
Fragrance components you may see on labels
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That distinction is useful, with one caveat: label rules and wording can vary by market, so “fragrance-free” isn’t a guarantee that a formula contains no aromatic plant ingredients. Check the full ingredient list, not just the front label. 향료 (fragrance/parfum), plus named essential oils or extracts, can be clues; linalool and limonene may also appear by name when declared under the applicable rules.
If fragrance is a known trigger for you, a practical starting point is to choose a leave-on product without 향료, parfum, or essential oils, then introduce it on a small area first. “Unscented” is worth checking especially carefully, since a masking fragrance may be used—but don’t assume every unscented product contains one. And if a product causes a persistent or sudden rash, stop using it and check with a dermatologist rather than trying to troubleshoot it with more products.
Is there another way to identify fragrance ingredients in the full ingredient lists of Korean products besides “fragrance”?
Yes. Look for essential oils and aromatic plant ingredients listed separately by their ingredient names rather than grouped under fragrance. For example, names like lavender oil (LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA OIL), peppermint oil (MENTHA PIPERITA OIL), eucalyptus leaf oil (EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS LEAF OIL), and bergamot oil (CITRUS AURANTIUM BERGAMIA PEEL OIL). Flower and leaf extracts can also have a scent, but just because a plant ingredient appears in the name doesn’t mean it was added for fragrance or will cause a sensitivity reaction.
Linalool (LINALOOL), limonene (LIMONENE), geraniol (GERANIOL), and citral (CITRAL) are also worth checking. However, labeling practices may vary depending on the product and applicable regulations. If you’re sensitive to fragrance, check the full ingredient list for both fragrance and essential oils, and if you’re unsure, the surest option is to ask the brand whether the product is free of fragrance and essential oils.