Last weekend, we flew to Boise for a family wedding - so fun!

Being 7.5 months pregnant at a wedding is a whole new experience and I’m into it. We danced, we celebrated, we went to a bar (!), and I felt AMAZING the next morning.

We stayed at an Airbnb, and were on a mission from the second we walked in…

It was one of those places where the "fresh" smell of synthetic fragrances was intense. We went room to room hunting down every wall plug-in and reed diffuser we could find, placed them all outside, and cracked open windows.

The problem is that the scented smell isn't fresh at all. It's actually a massive hormone disruptor - and most people have no idea!

Fragrance is being called "The New Secondhand Smoke"

Researchers is increasingly showing the dangers of artificial fragrances - not just perfumes and candles, but air fresheners, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, personal care products, and yup, those wall plug-ins that seem to be in every Airbnb, office, gym, and Uber.

Here's what makes fragrance so sneaky: manufacturers are not required to disclose what's actually in it. They just write "fragrance" on the label, and that one word can represent a cocktail of over 3,000 different chemicals. All hidden under the umbrella of "trade secrets."

What fragrance actually does to you

Have you ever gotten a headache riding in someone's car loaded with air fresheners? Felt foggy or tired after walking through a department store perfume section? Gotten a headache after being around someone with strong perfume? That’s a reaction to fragrance.

Artificial fragrances release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air that pollute your indoor environment and put real stress on your body. One study found that 35% of adults reported breathing difficulties, migraines, skin irritation, and cognitive problems when exposed to fragranced products. That is a LOT of people walking around with unnecessary symptoms.

And it’s more than headaches - one of the most concerning long-term effects is what these chemicals do to our hormones.

The hormone disruption problem

Many fragrances contain phthalates - petroleum-based chemicals that are potent hormone disruptors. Whether you're breathing them in or absorbing them through your skin, phthalates interfere with your hormonal system in some pretty significant ways.

In women, they can affect the release and maturation of eggs, leading to ovulation problems and increased risk of conditions like endometriosis and PCOS. In men, they've been linked to reduced sperm concentration and poor motility. Reproductive problems have increased by more than 50% over the past 50 years, and chronic exposure to chemicals like phthalates is likely a major piece of that puzzle.

As someone who is currently pregnant and thinking a lot about what I'm putting in and around my body, this is not something I'm willing to tolerate…

Where fragrance is hiding

Fragrance shows up in more places than most people realize:

• Wall plug-ins and reed diffusers
• Scented candles and air fresheners
• Laundry detergent and dryer sheets
• Cleaning supplies
• Soaps - hand, dish, and body
• Personal care products like moisturizers and deodorant
• Perfume, cologne, and body spray

What you can do about it

I'm not here to tell you to throw everything out and start from scratch (unless you want to!). It's not about being perfect. It's about awareness and making better choices where you can.

Here's where I'd start:

• Ditch the plug-ins and sprays first. Car and home air fresheners are some of the worst offenders because they're constantly running in enclosed spaces. Removing these is one of the highest-impact swaps you can make.
• Go fragrance-free when possible. There are tons of great unscented cleaning products, detergents, and soaps that work just as well without the chemical cocktail.
• If you love scent, try essential oils (carefully). High-quality essential oils from brands like Doterra, Young Living, or Aura Cacia are a better alternative, though they are still a source of VOCs, so diffuse with ventilation and don't go overboard.
• Open your windows. Fresh air is genuinely one of the best things you can do for your indoor air quality. Let the stale, chemical-laden air out and real air in. That’s ACTUALLY fresh!

The goal is: less artificial fragrance in your environment. This leads to less unnecessary stress on your hormones, your lungs, and your overall health.

Your home should be a place that actually makes you feel good - and we have to let go of this idea that clean things smell like Tide laundry detergent or a Glade air freshener.

Clean things smell like... nothing :)

In health,

-Daina

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