Unscented vs Fragrance-Free: Same Thing?
Science Says No—Here’s the Dermatologist-Backed Difference
If you’ve ever stood in the skincare aisle wondering whether unscented vs fragrance-free means the same thing, you’re not alone. On the surface they look identical, but scientifically—and legally—they’re worlds apart.
One protects your skin; the other just spares your nose.
1. Google’s Confusing Twins in One Sentence
Here’s the quick science:
Fragrance-free means no perfume molecules were added to change how the product smells.
Unscented means you don’t smell anything—but the formula can still contain masking agents that neutralize odour. Those chemicals are technically fragrances and can trigger allergies.
In other words, to a toxicologist or dermatologist, “unscented” and “fragrance-free” are polar opposites.
2. Why Labels Cheat (and the FDA Lets Them)
Fragrance-free and unscented table risk
Under FDA rules, any scent used solely to cancel base odour can be classified as an “incidental ingredient” and left off the INCI list.
Bottom line: “Unscented” protects the nose. “Fragrance-free” protects the skin.
3. What Actually Hides Inside “Unscented”
Patch-test laboratories routinely find these common masking agents hiding under “unscented” labels:
Benzyl alcohol
Limonene
Linalool
Citronellol
Essential oils (citrus, peppermint, vanilla)
Synthetic parfum listed simply as “aroma”
Even tiny doses can cause contact dermatitis, eczema flares, or respiratory irritation in sensitive users.
4. Science Snapshot: What Research Shows
4.5 % of the general population is allergic to at least one fragrance compound.
In people with eczema, that rate rises to 14 %.
A 2022 study found that limonene and linalool—common masking ingredients—triggered reactions in 1 in 10 patch-tested patients with unexplained facial rashes.
Hospitals that implemented fragrance-free policies reported 30 % fewer staff headache days.
5. Quick INCI Decode: How to Buy the Real Deal
Flip the bottle.
No words like parfum, fragrance, aroma, or perfume = good sign.
No essential-oil Latin names (Citrus aurantium, Mentha piperita) = even better.
Look for verified third-party seals:
EPA Safer Choice “Fragrance-Free”
Allergy Certified (EU rabbit logo)
National Eczema Association Seal
6. Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Fragrance-Free if you:
Have eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, or chronic urticaria
Are pregnant, nursing, or shopping for a baby
Work in healthcare, aviation, or any scent-restricted environment
Choose Unscented if you:
Simply dislike perfume but have no skin sensitivity
Need a neutral-smelling product for mixed household use
7. Take-Away Cheat Sheet
Fragrance-free = nothing added to alter scent (safest for sensitive skin).
Unscented = something added to hide odour (may still irritate).
Always read the INCI list—masking chemicals can hide in plain sight.
Patch-test new products on the inner forearm for 48 hours.
Shopping shortcut: if the label omits both “fragrance” and common maskers and clearly states “fragrance-free,” you’ve found the lowest-risk, dermatologist-approved option.
Sources
EPA Safer Choice Fragrance-Free Fact Sheet, 2023
Curology Blog, Unscented vs Fragrance-Free, 2023
Dermatology Affiliates, Unscented Is Not Fragrance-Free, 2024
NYT Wirecutter, Fragrance-Free vs Unscented, 2025