Is Your Perfume Secretly Sabotaging Your Skincare?

Let’s dive into a topic that might make you rethink your fragrance game.

At Wicked Fumes we are all about fragrance, food and fun but we certainly aren’t going to let you mess up your skincare game. We want you to smell good and look good, too. But did you know that your liquid perfume could be harbouring a not-so-little secret?

Ever wondered why after a quick spritz of your favorite fragrance, instead of feeling clean and pretty, your skin feels tight, irritated and dry? Yep, we're talking about the alcohol in perfume—and its effects might be more startling than you thought!

Today, we're peeling back the layers on why alcohol is commonly used in perfumes, how it impacts your skin, and why solid perfumes could be the game-changer your skin’s been waiting for.

 

Why is Alcohol Even in Perfume?

First things first, let's talk about why alcohol is a mainstay in many perfumes.

The use of alcohol in perfume isn't just a tradition; it serves several practical purposes. Primarily, alcohol acts as a solvent, helping to dissolve and blend different fragrance oils into a harmonious scent profile. Solvents ensure that a perfume's scent is diffused—so you and those around you can actually smell it.

Another job that alcohol does is make your perfume dry quickly on your skin, so you don't feel oily or sticky. 

 

How Much Alcohol Are We Talking?

The percentage of alcohol in spray perfumes typically varies a little based on the type of perfume, but they are predominately alcohol. Here’s a general breakdown:

Eau de Parfum (EDP): This can have an alcohol content of around 80-90%. The rest is mostly fragrance oil and a small amount of water.

Eau de Toilette (EDT): Generally contains slightly more alcohol than EDP, usually about 80-90% as well, but with a lower concentration of fragrance oils.

Eau de Cologne (EDC): This has even higher alcohol content, around 70-90%, with a much lower concentration of fragrance oils.

Eau Fraiche: Similar to cologne in terms of alcohol content but with even less fragrance oil. Alcohol content can be around 70-90%.

 But Here’s the Rub...

While alcohol can make perfumes spritz-worthy, it’s not always skin-friendly. Its use in perfume (and other cosmetics) is a double-edged sword. Alcohol can dry out your skin, stripping away its natural oils, leading to irritation or even severe allergic reactions. When it’s sprayed or rubbed onto skin it can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier, leading to increased skin sensitivity and moisture loss. For people with known skin sensitivities including eczema and psoriasis, alcohol in perfume can be particularly bothersome and exacerbate these conditions.  

 

The Trouble with Water-Based Perfumes

To dodge the alcohol bullet, some perfume makers are turning to water-based perfumes or body mists, but they’re not without their drawbacks.

It turns out water is an excellent breeding ground for microbes and water-based fragrances are highly susceptible to bacterial growth, which is really bad news if you are spraying them all over your skin. If you have any of these products in your collection make sure you don’t pierce their seals to mix them with other products, and be sure to throw them away after the expiration date.

Another downside to water-based perfume is that they struggle to leave a lasting impression—their low sillage means their fragrance will most likely completely disappear in the time it takes you to get from your bathroom to the front door. Which is just plain rude.

 

The Solid Solution

There is no water at all in solid perfumes (or perfume oils for that matter), so they don’t suffer from bacterial growth issues. Plus, they don’t use alcohol and other harsh ingredients as solvents, making them a pretty compelling alternative to spray perfumes.

Instead they are crafted using natural waxes and oils which are gentle on the skin or can even nourish and repair. The waxes help more with the texture of solid perfume, the oils are carriers for the fragrance and dilute it enough so it is safe enough to sit directly on your skin. The fragrance stays true from the first application.  

So let’s take a look at some of the more popular options.

 

Beeswax

Beeswax has always been a popular choice given how rich it is in vitamin A. It protects the skin while softening at the same time. Lately, though, there has been some concern about bee farming practices. For those preferring an animal cruelty-free option, synthetic beeswax made in a lab, works in a similar same way.

 

Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax (or Vaseline for the Aussies) may also be used in solid perfumes and although it comes from a natural source – the by-product of separating wax from petroleum, coal and oil shale – it usually isn’t considered a natural wax. If your solid perfume contains paraffin wax it will be listed on the ingredient label but it sometimes goes under the name cera micocristallina. It is commonly used in other cosmetics such as lipsticks and lip balms, to give them their solid texture.   

 

Candelilla Wax

Another popular vegan wax in solid perfumes is candelilla wax. It is obtained from the leaves of a small candelilla shrub native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. Again, it is used a lot in cosmetics that come into contact with our mouth (e.g. lipsticks and lip balms) and it is even used in chewing gum as a binder to hold all the ingredients together. This is the wax Wicked Fumes uses in its gourmand solid perfumes.

 

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is packed with antioxidants, omegas and vitamins A, D and E. It’s also a natural antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal, making it perfect for solid perfume finger-swiping. Jojoba oil is also a natural emollient and non-comedogenic; meaning it doesn’t clog the pores like some oils do.

Shelf-life wise, it last forever without going rancid and another of its many superpowers is helping skin (and hair) repair itself. Seriously, is there anything jojoba oil can't do? This is the oil Wicked Fumes uses in its gourmand solid perfumes.

 

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a rich source of vitamin E and shares many other properties with jojoba oil. One major exception is that coconut oil isn’t non-comedogenic, meaning that it can clog pores. Given that solid perfume isn’t used on extensive areas this usually isn’t a big deal. Another difference is the shelf life of coconut oil, as it will expire after 12-18 months.  

 

Almond Oil

Almond oil is rich in essential fatty acids & vitamins A & E and is excellent at softening and re-conditioning the skin. However, those who are allergic to nuts will have a reaction to this oil and it may also stain clothes. So keep that in mind when checking out these products.  

 

Benefits of Solid Perfumes Over Liquids

1. Enhanced Skin Care: Solid perfumes can deliver skin-care benefits depending on the type of waxes and oils used.
2. Long-lasting Fragrance: Without alcohol to accelerate evaporation, the scent from solid perfumes is more accurate when applied and stays in contact with your skin for much longer periods of time.
3. Portable and Non-Spill Design: Solid perfumes come in compact, spill-proof containers, making them perfect for use on the go without risk of breakages and leaks.
4. Environmentally Friendly: With minimal packaging and no need for atomisers or aerosol sprayers, solid perfumes are a more sustainable choice for environmentally conscious consumers.

 

Wearing Solid Perfumes

Transitioning to solid perfumes is easy and you’ll be amazed at the different wearing experience. You’ll discover scents that stay close to the skin, creating more personal, intimate and longer-lasting scent bubbles. Here’s how you can make the most of your solid perfume.

To be the best hot spotting hottie in town, warm the perfume with your finger, then apply directly to pulse points like your wrists, neck, and behind the ears. Because they are so potent and concentrated you can throw them in your handbag or pocket and taken them anywhere. They also lend themselves well to blending, so experiment with layering different scents to create something uniquely you.

 

Do Something Wickedly Good for Your Skin

The shift towards more skin-friendly, sustainable fragrance options like solid perfumes represents a broader trend in the beauty industry towards health and environmental consciousness. As we continue to learn more about the impacts of traditional ingredients, the benefits of switching to alternatives like solid perfumes become increasingly clear. Not only do they offer a practical solution to the challenges posed by alcohol and water-based perfumes, but they also provide an enriching, personal scent experience that respects both your skin and the environment.

Wicked Fumes solid perfumes are handcrafted and poured using natural oils and waxes. Not only did we ditch the alcohol spritz, but we included plant-based skin-loving ingredients that nourish and repair. Plus we didn’t compromise on fragrance. These potent, pocket-rockets pack a punch and smell good enough to eat.

Do yourself a solid and switch from alcohol-based perfumes to something your nose and your skin will thank you for! Not sure if you are ready? Then check out another story from The Sugar Den, Are You Ready to Rock Solid Perfume?

Stay sweet and a little bit wicked,

The Sugar Den by Wicked Fumes