Who among us doesn’t enjoy being surrounded by beautiful scents? Fragrances can set the right mood, calm the senses, relax the body, and even reflect the personality of the person wearing them. Yet, few consider the source of these scents. Since they’re with us daily—often all day—it’s worth ensuring they bring not only pleasure but also support our health.
The first step is distinguishing natural extracts, like essential oils, from synthetic fragrance oils and other lab-made substances that chemically mimic them. Synthetic scents are far cheaper to produce and have a longer shelf life, which explains why they’re so commonly found in perfumes, candles, cosmetics, and cleaning products. But looks can be deceiving.
Most fragrance oils, even those with natural ingredients, typically contain chemicals like benzene derivatives, aldehydes, and phthalates. Artificial fragrance formulas are a leading cause of allergic reactions to cleaning and cosmetic products. They can cause rashes, headaches, and irritate the nose, eyes, or throat—even trigger asthma attacks. But the risks don’t stop there. These chemicals are considered cytotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic! Each could be a chapter in itself, but let’s focus on one group in particular—phthalates.
These chemicals can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, disrupt hormones, and interfere with male reproductive development. Studies have examined phthalates’ harmful effects on prenatal health, showing that children exposed to phthalates in the womb may later face motor skill challenges and speech delays. This research suggests synthetic fragrances are particularly harmful to pregnant women, affecting both mother and child.
Completely eliminating synthetic, potentially harmful scents is virtually impossible. Still, it’s important to try to limit exposure, even if challenging. For one, some manufacturers bypass regulations around synthetic fragrance production, permissible concentrations, and ingredient listings. Ingredients like “fragrance,” “aroma,” or “perfume” on labels can often conceal a mix of questionable synthetic components. Unfortunately, companies aren’t legally required to list all fragrance ingredients, so it’s best to choose products with fewer, transparently labeled components.
At Bokashi, we promise: you won’t find synthetic fragrances here. We understand they’re popular (those intense scents, right?), but we’ve chosen not to use them. Our personal care and cleaning products have a subtle, natural scent—thanks to certified organic essential oils, sourced from trusted growers, primarily in Australia, many of whom are dedicated to bushland regeneration. Concerned about natural scents’ impact on plant and animal life? Our essential oils have minimal environmental impact, come from sustainable farms, and are responsibly sourced. We ensure this personally!
Every essential oil in our products is rigorously tested for quality and purity, including pesticide testing. We believe in full transparency and openly share information about our essential oils’ origins. This gives us confidence that Bokashi products are safe for aromatherapy in body care and home use. Safe for people with allergies, asthma, the elderly, pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, pets—everyone! How does that sound to you?
Sources
Harvard Health Publishing. (2019, March 15). Something else to avoid in pregnancy: Phthalates. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/something-else-to-avoid-in-pregnancy-phthalates-2019031516224
Swan, S. H., & others. (2009). Environmental health perspectives on endocrine-disrupting chemicals. ScienceDirect. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378427409013460
US National Library of Medicine. (2016). Impact of fragrance and phthalates on health: A review. PubMed Central. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5093181/
“bokashi” is a Japanese word (ぼかし) that refers to the process of fermenting organic matter using beneficial microorganisms.
At bokashi, we harness the power of organic probiotics to infuse our home and personal care products.
Beneficial microorganisms are naturally occurring and have existed on earth for milliards of years.
They play vital roles in maintaining ecosystem balance and supporting the growth and health of plants and animals.
Make harmonious choices together.
I invite you to join us on this journey towards a healthier and more sustainable future.
