You've probably seen "clean" on a perfume bottle and wondered what that actually means. Fair question. The fragrance industry doesn't have a single, agreed-upon definition for clean, and the FDA doesn't regulate the term for cosmetics or fragrance in the United States. So when a brand calls a perfume clean, the ingredients behind that label can vary wildly from one bottle to the next.
At Skylar, we built our own set of fragrance ingredient safety standards because waiting for the industry to catch up wasn't an option. We formulate every scent without 36 known fragrance allergens, skip over 1,300 questionable ingredients, and go beyond what even the strictest global regulations require. Here's exactly what that looks like and why we think you deserve to know.
What "Clean" Actually Means for a Fragrance Ingredient List
Here's something most people don't realize: perfume brands can legally hide dozens of chemicals under one word on the label, "fragrance" or "parfum." That single entry can include allergens, preservatives, and synthetic compounds you'd probably want to know about before spraying them on your skin. The industry treats fragrance blends as trade secrets, so full disclosure is rare.
For us, clean starts with full transparency. We list every ingredient on our product pages so you can see exactly what goes into each bottle. No catch-all labels, no fine print, no guessing.
But transparency alone isn't enough. We also hold every formula to a strict safety standard that goes well beyond what's legally required. Our scents are hypoallergenic, vegan, cruelty-free, and dermatologist-tested. We formulate without parabens, phthalates, artificial dyes, CMRs (carcinogens, mutagens, and reproductive toxins), animal-derived ingredients, and common skin sensitizers like BHT, BHA, and sulfates.
If you want to know what clean beauty looks like across the fragrance world, our breakdown of what clean fragrance actually means goes deeper into how we define and practice clean at every level.
The 36 Fragrance Allergens Skylar Formulates Without
The EU currently recognizes 26 fragrance allergens that must be disclosed on product labels in Europe. Compounds like eugenol, cinnamal, and linalool show up in many essential oils and synthetic fragrance blends, and for people with sensitive skin, even small amounts can trigger redness, itching, or irritation.
We took that list and added 10 more. Every Skylar fragrance is made without all 36 of these known allergens. And we don't just check a box on a spreadsheet. Our formulas go through clinical patch testing with sensitive-skin volunteers in independent third-party labs, so the hypoallergenic claim is backed by real testing on real people.
So what makes a fragrance hypoallergenic? A hypoallergenic formula is designed to reduce the risk of allergic reactions by removing known triggers and then verifying through clinical testing. No fragrance can guarantee zero reactions for every single person, and we're upfront about that. We always recommend a patch test if you have specific sensitivities. But our goal is to get as close to worry-free as possible.
Our full fragrance allergens list and testing approach are detailed in our guide on what makes a fragrance hypoallergenic. For anyone who's dealt with perfume headaches or skin reactions, understanding what's in (and not in) your fragrance makes a real difference.
How Skylar's Standard Compares to EU Regulation
The European Union has some of the strictest cosmetic safety regulations in the world, governed by EC Regulation No. 1223/2009. Under the EU fragrance allergen standard, brands must disclose 26 specific allergens on their labels, and certain ingredients are restricted or banned outright based on safety data.
In the United States, there's no equivalent federal standard. The FDA oversees cosmetics but does not define what ingredients are banned in clean perfume, and fragrance formulations are largely treated as trade secrets. That gap between what's allowed and what's actually safe for your skin is where brand-level standards have to step in.
Skylar fills that gap and then goes further. We don't just disclose the EU's 26 listed allergens on a label. We remove all 26 from our formulas entirely, along with 10 additional allergens that we've identified as potential irritants. On top of that, we restrict over 1,300 ingredients that the EU has flagged as questionable. Where most brands meet the minimum, we set our own ceiling.
You can read more about our ingredient philosophy and the standards behind every bottle on our about us page.
The 1,300+ Questionable Ingredients Skylar Avoids
Beyond allergens, our formulation standard covers a much wider range of ingredients we leave out entirely. Over 1,300 ingredients that the EU has restricted, flagged, or raised safety concerns about are absent from every Skylar product.
What kinds of ingredients are on that list? Parabens and phthalates, both linked to endocrine concerns in published research. Artificial dyes that serve no functional purpose in a fragrance. Known carcinogens and reproductive toxins. Animal-derived notes and byproducts. And common sensitizers that can build up irritation over time.
We also use alternative preservation and fixative systems, replacing traditional compounds with safer options that keep our eau de parfums performing at a rich concentration for long-lasting wear. You don't have to choose between a perfume that lasts and a perfume that's safe. The result is a fragrance that smells sophisticated and wears beautifully, while staying gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Curious about what all those ingredient names on a label actually mean? Our guide on how to read a perfume ingredient list breaks down the terminology in plain language. And for a side-by-side look at natural vs. synthetic ingredients in perfume, we've covered why "natural" doesn't automatically mean safer.
Ready to Wear Clean?
If you want a fragrance that checks every safety box without sacrificing how good you smell, start with our clean perfume collection. Every scent is hypoallergenic, vegan, cruelty-free, and dermatologist-tested.
Not sure which scent fits you? Try our Discovery Set to sample five bestsellers, from the warm sweetness of Vanilla Sky to the coastal freshness of Salt Air. Once you've found your favorite, build a custom Travel Size Duo with any two scents you want to keep on rotation.
FAQ
What ingredients should I avoid in perfume?
Watch out for parabens, phthalates, artificial dyes, BHT, BHA, sulfates, and undisclosed allergens hidden under the generic "fragrance" label. Skylar formulates without all of these, plus 36 known fragrance allergens and over 1,300 additional questionable ingredients.
Is clean fragrance regulated by the FDA?
No. The FDA does not regulate the term "clean" for cosmetics or fragrance in the United States. Brand-level standards are what separate truly clean formulas from marketing claims. Skylar sets and enforces our own ingredient safety rules that exceed even EU regulations.
What makes a fragrance hypoallergenic?
A hypoallergenic fragrance is formulated to lower the risk of allergic reactions by removing known triggers like common allergens and sensitizers. Skylar backs up our hypoallergenic claim with clinical patch testing on sensitive-skin volunteers in third-party labs.
How is Skylar's ingredient standard different from other clean fragrance brands?
We go beyond the EU's 26 regulated allergens by eliminating 36 total and excluding over 1,300 questionable ingredients. Every formula is clinically patch-tested and dermatologist-tested on sensitive skin, not just checked against an ingredient list.
