The deodorant balm. Halcyon summers — ingredient safety report

• Allergy risk:Fragrance is the single most common cause of cosmetic contact allergy.
• Irritation:Frequent trigger of stinging and redness on reactive skin.

An umbrella term that can hide dozens of undisclosed scent chemicals. Fragrance is the leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis from cosmetics, and dermatologists routinely advise fragrance-free products for eczema, babies and sensitive skin.

• Allergy risk:EU-declarable allergen; oxidized linalool is a common patch-test positive.

A floral scent molecule found in lavender and many essential oils. It oxidizes on air exposure into strongly sensitizing compounds, which is why it must be declared on EU labels.

• Allergy risk:EU-declarable allergen; oxidation products are potent sensitizers.

The citrus-peel scent molecule. Like linalool, it becomes allergenic mainly after oxidizing in opened products.

• Irritation:Phototoxic; increases sunburn risk on exposed skin.
• Allergy risk:High limonene content oxidizes into sensitizers.

A citrus oil that is both phototoxic in sunlight and increasingly allergenic as its limonene oxidizes.

• Irritation:Irritating to skin and airways; 1,8-cineole content is unsuitable for infants.

A camphoraceous oil that should be kept away from the faces of babies and young children due to respiratory and skin irritation risks.

• Irritation:Sensory irritant; toxic to young children if ingested or over-applied.

A penetrating cooling agent that regulators warn against using on infants and toddlers; systemic toxicity is possible in small children.

• Allergy risk:EU-declarable allergen; lemon-scented sensitizer.

The lemon-scent molecule in lemongrass and citrus oils, a recognized contact allergen requiring EU label declaration.

• Allergy risk:EU-declarable fragrance allergen.

A common jasmine-scented ingredient in fine fragrance and skincare, declared as an allergen on EU labels.

• Allergy risk:Rich in limonene, which oxidizes into contact allergens.
• Irritation:Mildly irritating on sensitive skin; mild photosensitivity possible.

A common 'natural fragrance' whose limonene content makes aged products more allergenic.