There is a perfume boom. The global fragrance market has grown larger than ever. But of the 18 perfumes reviewed, 16 had one or more deficiencies that are considered serious, according to the Swedish Medical Products Agency.
The fact that demand is so high, especially among younger people, has led to new business models, notes Norna Gabring, an investigator at the Swedish Medical Products Agency. For example, there are fragrance copies of well-known brands, branded perfumes that are repackaged into smaller bottles and imports of cheaper perfumes from countries outside the EU.
"The actors behind the products do not always have full knowledge of the rules that apply to cosmetic products. Therefore, there is a risk that the perfumes that are sold do not meet the EU's high requirements for safety for human health," she says in a press release .
The review examined different types of products, such as fragrance copies, perfume samples of branded perfumes and imported perfumes from countries outside the EU.
Especially if perfume is used frequently or in large quantities, there is a risk of developing contact allergy. The Swedish Medical Products Agency's advice is to be critical of products that are cheaper than they should be, due to the risk that they have not undergone sufficient safety checks.
Another tip is to check that the product is labeled with a list of ingredients and an address for a responsible company within the EU.
