What Is Natural Fragrance?

“Natural fragrance” is one of the most widely used (and widely misunderstood) terms in the beauty, personal care, and home fragrance industries. Unlike IFRA safety standards, there is no single global definition. Brands, retailers, and certification bodies all interpret the term differently—sometimes focusing on what is excluded, other times on sourcing, sustainability, or environmental impact. This guide breaks down the most common interpretations so you can evaluate natural fragrance claims with clarity and confidence.

What Natural Fragrance Is Not

Many brands define “natural” by exclusion. This approach emphasizes what the fragrance does not contain rather than how it is sourced.

• Non-toxic: Often used to signal compliance with IFRA Standards and general fragrance safety guidelines.
• Excludes restricted materials: Some brands remove ingredients restricted by retailer programs or international regulations (e.g., Sephora Clean, Credo, EU Cosmetics Regulation).
• Hypoallergenic: Reduces known allergens—though this often means excluding many essential oils and natural materials.

Example: We exclude materials like BHT and lilial in our formulations. These materials are banned or restricted in some regions but still permitted in others, illustrating how definitions vary by geography.

What Natural Fragrance Is

Other definitions focus on positive attributes—not exclusions. These attributes don’t always overlap, even though all are commonly described as “natural.”

• Plant-based: Materials derived from plants (essential oils, isolates, natural aromatic molecules). This aligns closely with 100% plant-based fragrance such as ISO 9235-certified materials.
• Biodegradable: Fragrance materials that break down in the environment, typically within 28 days. Many materials in our biodegradable fragrance oils category meet this benchmark.
• Sustainably sourced: Materials produced without over-harvesting or ecosystem disruption.
• Fair Trade: Ethically sourced materials supporting community and labor standards.

Important note: Essential oils are natural—but they often contain naturally occurring allergens and may not always meet biodegradability criteria. This is why “natural” does not automatically mean “safer,” “better,” or “cleaner.”

Why Transparency Matters

The term “fragrance” or “parfum” can legally represent hundreds of components. While this is permitted by global regulations, it can feel opaque to consumers who value clarity.

Many modern brands choose to disclose fragrance components because:

• It builds trust with ingredient-conscious consumers.
• It supports compliance with retailer and regulatory programs.
• It aligns with clean beauty and transparency expectations.

Our fragrances include accessible documentation such as IFRA Certificates, SDS, and allergen statements, posted under the “Technical Info” tab of each fragrance page. You can also request additional documentation through our Documentation Request page.

Certifications and Standards to Know

Certifications can help clarify what “natural” means in a specific context, but each certification has its own criteria.

• USDA Organic / Oregon Tilth: Applies to products using certified organic agricultural ingredients.
• EWG Verified: Requires full disclosure and adherence to EWG safety thresholds. Related fragrances may be found in our EWG compliant fragrance oils.
• EPA Safer Choice: Requires that every ingredient in the formula (including fragrance) meets strict safety criteria.
• Retailer standards: Programs like Sephora Clean and Credo have their own approved/excluded ingredient lists, which influence which materials may be used.

Depending on the certification, fragrance creators may be limited to a very narrow palette. For some projects, fewer than 100 materials may be allowed out of more than 1,200 typically available options.

How “Natural” Differs from “Safe,” “Clean,” and “Sustainable”

Because “natural” has no standard definition, it often overlaps with—but is not identical to—other concepts:

• Safe: Relates to IFRA exposure-based limits, toxicology data, and human use patterns.
• Clean: Relates to retailer or platform criteria (e.g., Target Clean, Sephora Clean).
• Sustainable: Relates to environmental impact, biodegradability, sourcing ethics, and renewable material use.

A natural ingredient may score high in one area but low in another. For example, an essential oil can be natural but allergenic; a biodegradable synthetic can have excellent environmental properties but no plant origin.

The Bigger Picture

Fragrance typically makes up only 1–2% of a formula, yet it receives more consumer attention than many other ingredients. Understanding what “natural” can—and cannot—mean helps consumers evaluate claims accurately and choose products aligned with their values.

Related Fragrance Collections

By Nature & Origin

• 100% Plant-Based Fragrance Oils (ISO 9235)
• Natural Fragrance Oils
• Biodegradable Fragrance Oils
• Eco-Friendly Fragrance Oils

By Clean & Safety Framework

• Non-Toxic Fragrance Oils
• Phthalate Free Fragrance Oils
• CMR Free Fragrance Oils
• EWG Compliant Fragrance Oils
• PFAS Free Fragrance Oils
• California Prop 65 Compliant Oils

Frequently Asked Questions

Is natural fragrance always safer?

No. Natural materials can contain allergens, phototoxic components, or sensitizers. Safety depends on concentration, exposure, and formulation—not origin.

Why do ingredient bans differ by country?

Regulatory bodies update restrictions at different speeds and use different evaluation frameworks. For example, the EU often adjusts ingredient lists more frequently than the U.S.

Are essential oils always considered natural?

Yes, but many essential oils contain naturally occurring allergens and may not meet biodegradability benchmarks. Natural does not automatically mean safer or more sustainable.

Which certifications matter most?

Different certifications address different priorities. EWG focuses on safety and transparency; EPA Safer Choice evaluates every ingredient; Fair Trade emphasizes social impact; Organic relates to agricultural practices.

How do I know if a fragrance is transparent?

Look for brands that disclose fragrance components or provide documentation such as IFRA Certificates, SDS, and allergen lists. All of these are available on our fragrance product pages.

Have questions about natural fragrance or how to evaluate sourcing and standards? Contact us—we’re here to help.