..true skincare prioritizes health over sensory allure..

Our skin is a sensory powerhouse, sometimes being called the “third brain” for its ability to feel, react, and communicate. Just as music delights the ears, a pleasant scent in skincare can captivate the senses, making your routine feel indulgent. But at X’Factor, we believe true skincare prioritizes health over sensory allure. That’s why our products are fragrance-free, and here’s why that matters.

Fragrances, whether natural or synthetic, are often added to mask the raw smell of a product’s ingredients or to evoke an emotional response. Who doesn’t love a lavender-scented lotion emanating relaxation? Yet this sensory charm comes with a hidden cost. Fragrances are complex chemical blends. The ingredients do not need to be disclosed due to trade secret protection. This secrecy can conceal allergens that trigger allergy reactions in 1-3% of people, with studies, like one in Malaysia, showing up to 15.6% of participants reacting to fragrance in patch tests. From itchy rashes to asthma flare-ups or migraines, fragrances can be a silent troublemaker.

Even “unscented” products are not always safe. Many contain masking fragrances to neutralize the natural odor of raw materials, that distinct “medicine” smell of pharmacy creams. These unlisted ingredients can still irritate sensitive skin. Then there’s the issue of phthalates, like DEP (diethyl phthalates), used to make scents last longer. While low doses are generally safe, high or prolonged exposure to certain phthalates is linked to endocrine disruption, raising concerns about long-term use.

At X’Factor, we strip away the sensory frills to focus on what your skin truly needs. Our fragrance-free formulation embraces the natural scent of raw ingredients, reminiscent of your trusted pharmacy lotions. By skipping fragrances and dyes, we minimize the risk of irritation and prioritize your skin’s health over fleeting sensory pleasure. Think of it as skincare that respects your body’s intelligence—nurturing your skin without overwhelming its senses.

Choosing fragrance-free is not just a trend; it is a commitment to safer, smarter skincare. So, next time you reach for a cream, ask yourself: do you want a fleeting scent or lasting skin health? With X’Factor, you get the latter—pure, honest care for your third brain.

References:

1. Thyssen, JP et al., “Contact sensitization to fragrances in the general population: a Koch’s approach may reveal the burden of disease,” British Journal of Dermatology 460, no. 4 (April 2009): 729-35.

2. Kelman, L., “The triggers or precipitants of the acute migraine attack,” Cephalalgia 27, no. 5 (May 2007): 394-402.

3. Millqvist E. and O. Löwhagen, “Placebo-controlled challenges with perfume in patients with asthma-like symptoms,” Allergy 51, no. 6 (June 1996): 434-9.

4. Wilkinson M, Orton D. Allergic contact dermatitis. In: Griffiths C, Barker J, Bleiker T, Chalmers R, Creamer D (eds). Rook’s Textbook of Dermatology 9th edn. Wiley Blackwell 2016.

5. Contact sensitisation to fragrance allergen: A 5-year retrospective study of patients in the Department of Dermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur Vivian Tai, Sharifah Rosniza Syed Nong Chek, Min Moon Tang. Department of Medicine, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Ministry of Health, Malaysia, Department of Dermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Ministry of Health, Malaysia. Med J Malaysia Vol 78 No 5 September 2023 583-588