Why I Chose to Go Perfume-Free (And Why You Might Want to, Too)

Breathe Fresh. Live Scent Free

You're Sick from Fragrance Chemicals and Don't Even Know It

If you've ever walked past someone wearing a strong perfume and immediately had a reaction to it, you're not alone. Chronic sinus congestion, brain fog, headaches and even acid reflux, all triggered from being around "harmless" scents. That used to be me - and going perfume-free changed my life—and not just because I could finally breathe again.

It turns out: fragrance isn't just a smell. It's a cocktail of chemicals, many of which are anything but harmless - and companies aren’t required to disclose their exact ingredients (thanks to “fragrance” being protected as a trade secret), so one word on a label could hide dozens or even hundreds of chemicals.

Living Perfume-Free: A Breath of Fresh Air

Once I cut out scented products from my routine—perfumes, air fresheners, scented laundry detergent, dryer sheets, even scented deodorant — my health improved dramatically. No congestion in the morning! Fewer headaches. Better sleep. Clearer skin. More energy - And I’m not alone. Switching to a fragrance-free lifestyle isn’t just a personal preference—it’s a health choice. It's also an act of care toward others, especially the millions of people living with chemical sensitivities who avoid public spaces because of pervasive scent exposure.

How to Start Living Fragrance-Free

• Choose products labeled “fragrance-free” or “unscented” – but always read the label because unfortunately some may still contain masking scents.

• Ventilate your home well and freshen air with plants & odor absorbing products (which you can find on our website)

• Be especially mindful of scented laundry and body products that linger on your clothes and skin (and can expose others to these chemicals.)

• Talk to your workplace, gym, or community about adopting scent-free policies.

• Get a list of curated fragrance free products at Happy-canary.com 

Final Thoughts

Living perfume-free isn't about being difficult or "sensitive." It's about living more intentionally, caring for your health, and protecting the air we all share.

Clean and fresh doesn’t have to mean fragranced.