Hidden Chemicals

Victoria's Secret has created and is currently selling over 266 different fragrances. Any fragrance industry has over 3,100 chemicals they use to create their perfumes. Although the FDA somewhat looks into the chemicals being used in perfumes, there aren't any laws that require fragrance companies to list all the toxic chemicals that are in the perfume. For all you know, the perfume you use contains toxic chemicals that aren't even on the label. Who knows what could be in your perfumes and body mists? While doing research, I read that Victoria's Secret perfumes have 13 secret chemicals in them that we don't know about. Listed below are three chemicals Victoria's Secret doesn't include on their fragrance labels.

Benzyl Salicylate



Chemical Formula: 
C₁₄H₁₂O₃

How It's Produced:
Occurs naturally in a variety of plants and plant extracts.

Properties:
-colorless liquid
-mild floral smell
-molar mass: 228.25 g

Health Effects:
Can cause irritations, sensitivity, and allergic reactions. Also proven to be a hormone disruptor.

Purpose:
Adds fragrance to the perfume and is also a UV light absorber.


Coumarin

                                                                                                              

Chemical Formula: 
C₉H₆O₂

How It's Produced:
Produced by plants as a defensive chemical.

Properties:
-either colorless gas or white crystalline
-vanilla smell
-molar mass: 146.14 g

Health Effects:
Was tested in a lab and caused liver damage to lab animals. Confirmed to have a toxic effect on human kidneys and liver. Is banned from being used as a food additive but may be banned from being used in perfumes as well.

Purpose:
Is included in almost 90% of all perfumes for its sweet scent.


Diethyl Phthalate



Chemical Formula: 
C₁₂H₁₄O₄

How It's Produced:
Produced by the reaction of phthalic anhydride with ethanol
in the presence of sulfuric acid.

Properties:
-clear substance
-oily
-liquid at room temperature
-molar mass: 222.24 g

Health Effects:
Phthalates can cause damage to the liver/kidneys, birth defects, decreased sperm counts, and early breast development in boys and girls. 

Purpose:
Causes the scent in perfume to last longer.