Please plan to come scent free to this event so that we can make it accessible to chemically sensitive counselors. If you come with scents on, it can make them very ill.
Below are some guidelines that will assist you in this endeavor so that everyone
can breathe freely and easily. The general idea is to use products that are
scent and perfume free. This will be a challenge as almost every product on
the market, sold for cleaning/beautifying purposes, has a scent in it. This
is one of the ways that products compete for consumer dollars. In the free market
economy that we live in that means a lot of scents are marketed. Clearly, some
of this is not rational and is damaging to humans and an unnecessary strain
on the environment. We cannot escape it except for a concerted effort on our
part to locate products that are scent and perfume free.
Here is an overview of what it means to be scent free
*No fragrances – perfume, aftershave or essential oils
*No aerosols - hair spray or aerosol deodorant
*No hair products - spray, gel, lotion, mousse etc.
*No make-up except for scent-free products
*No analgesics – Ben gay, tiger balm, white flower oil etc.
*No mosquito repellant – Off, Skin-so-soft etc.
(both brands make and unscented version, but the product is made out of highly
toxic poisons in order to repel bugs – even natural bug repellents are
very strong smelling in order to repel the bugs, and will bother chemically
sensitive people. A good way to not get bit, is to cover up.)
Also, please avoid burning incense during the time you are in this class. The
fragrance stays in clothing.
Here are the specifics of how to be scent free
Laundry Soap
Please use only fragrance-free/perfume free laundry soap.
Ok Products to Use:
Available at HEB
ALL FREE AND CLEAR
ARM & HAMMER FABRICARE ADVANCED DETERGENT ACTION, PERFUME AND DYE FREE
TIDE FREE
Available at health food stores
SEVENTH GENERATION FREE AND CLEAR
PLANET LAUNDRY DETERGENT
Available at Wheatsville -
NATURAL VALUE
HEB and Target have also just come out with their own brands that are labeled
“perfume free”. You will be surprised at how many detergents have
perfume listed as their last ingredient. Please check before you purchase as
there are detergents on the market that appear to be scent free by marketing
them as “natural,” but they may have a scent in them. Check and
check again.
Some products labeled “unscented” actually put a chemical in the
product to mask the smell of the chemicals the product is made from. This masking
chemical can bother people too. Usually products that are labeled “free
of dyes and perfumes” are the best ones to use.
And don't forget about fabric softener, especially dryer sheets. This product
is all about the scent. Please don’t use them.
Here is a short term, temporary, pinch hit solution
If you aren't already using products that are fragrance-free, wear clothes to
class that have not recently been washed (in scented laundry soap). Please purchase
one of the unscented products listed above and start using as soon as possible.
If this will be difficult for you financially, talk to the class/event leader
or organizer about it.
Shampoo and Conditioner
No shampoo or conditioner sold at big chain, mainstream stores like
HEB, Target, or Eckerd’s will be fragrance free. Hair products are the
main products fragrances are used to market. Advertisements for these products
tell us that our hair should smell like flowers or perfume.
Ok Products to Use:
Available at health food stores -
PURE ESSENTIALS FRAGRANCE FREE SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER
NATURE’S GATE ORGANICS FRAGRANCE FREE SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER
AVALON ORGANICS ALOE AND JOJOBA FRAGRANCE FREE SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER
TOM’S OF MAINE UNSCENTED SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER
GRANNY’S RICH AND RADIANT UNSCENTED SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER
Most of the above brands also make shampoos and conditioners that are mildly
scented with natural ingredients. Some people with chemical sensitivity may
tolerate some mildly scented products, but in a group situation, mild fragrance
on a lot of people adds up to not so mild fragrance.
If you plan to counsel with someone who is chemically sensitive or want to participate
in an RC event or class that is advertised as fragrance free, please make sure
that you use shampoos and conditioners that are labeled fragrance free.
Heads Up!!
Many mainstream shampoo and conditioner products are so heavily scented
that even after one or two washes with a fragrance free product the fragrance
is still evident, especially when your hair is wet! If you plan to participate
in an RC event that is advertised as fragrance free, please start washing your
hair with fragrance free shampoo (and conditioner if you use it) a few days
beforehand.
*If you are in an RC class that is fragrance free and meets weekly, please start
washing your hair with fragrance free shampoo (and conditioner if you use it)
a few days before the class starts and use fragrance free products for the duration
of the class.
Here is a short term temporary, pinch hit solution
If you haven’t had time to wash your hair a few days in advance with fragrance
free products, you can rinse your hair in ¼ cup apple cider vinegar,
then shampoo and condition with unscented products. Rinse your hair really well
with water afterward to help remove the fragrance and the smell of the vinegar.
If you think you might have some fragrance on your hair, please wear a hat or
a bandana to cover it. This helps a lot! Putting long hair up also helps.
Lotion, Moisturizer, Deodorant, Shaving Cream
Many “mainstream” and “natural” brands make
unscented versions of these products. Look for products labeled “for sensitive
skin,” but make sure they also say “unscented” or “fragrance
free.”
Some Brands Are:
Available at HEB -
LUBRIDERM
AVEENO
CETAPHIL
SECRET
ARM AND HAMMER
SPEED STICK
EDGE (fragrance free active care gel)
Available at health food stores
NATURE’S GATE
KISS MY FACE
AVALON ORGANIC BOTANICALS
ALBA BOTANICALS
TOM’S OF MAINE
ZIA
Soap, Body Wash
Ok Products to Use:
Available at HEB -
AVEENO UNSCENTED SOAP
CASTILLE SOAP
CLEARLY NATRUAL UNSCENTED GLYCERIN SOAP
Available at health food stores
DR. BRONNER'S BABY MILD UNSCENTED LIQUID OR BAR SOAP
OTHER DR. BRONNER’S SOAPS – they are very mildly scented
CLEARLY NATURAL UNSCENTED GLYCERINE SOAP
TOM’S OF MAINE UNSCENTED LIQUID SOAP
KISS MY FACE UNSCENTED LIQUID SOAP
ANY UNSCENTED OLIVE OIL SOAP
SAPPO HILL UNSCENTED SOAP
UNSCENTED OATMEAL SOAP
There are also lots of other mildly scented and unscented natural soaps at health
food stores that are fine. If you’re not sure if the scent is too strong,
don’t use it. If it has what seems like a “clean” smell or
an “earthy” smell, it is probably too strong. Unscented natural
products have very little smell. Please be aware that Tea Tree Oil, although
a natural substance, has a very strong scent. It should be avoided.
Sunscreen
NATURE’S GATE and CALIFORNIA BABY both make fragrance free sunscreen.
These can be found at health food stores. Some of the mainstream brands do too.
Look for products for “sensitive skin.”
This is a lot to think about and may bring up some feelings. Please go ahead and get some discharge time on your feelings. After which time it would be worthwhile to share any new and fresh thinking you have on the topic of being scent/fragrance free.
Many thanks,
The Austin RC Community