Are you scent sensitive?

It's a situation that we at Green People hear about all too often. People are desperate for fragrance-free, neutral products because fragrances irritate their skin, make their eyes water or other symptoms of allergy.

Sitting on the bus, spending time at work or relaxing in a cafe can all turn into allergy-triggering events thanks to the strong artificial perfumes that many people wear. The festive season can be particularly bad, with everyone spritzing on scents for Christmas parties and celebrations.

Perfumes are usually made from a mix of chemicals, unknown to consumers and untested for safety. Many of the chemicals used are from synthetic sources and can be irritating to sensitive skin.

It isn't just actual perfumes that are a problem for those with fragrance allergies, however. Fragranced products of any kind, from hand washes to hair conditioner, are just as likely to trigger a scent allergy as designer perfumes.

Although it is usually artificial fragrances that are the cause of allergy problems, it is also possible to be allergic to essential oils - the natural fragrances we use in our organic skin care products.

This is why we developed the Organic Base No Scent range. Made without essential oils or perfume of any kind, these fragrance-free products are ideal for those with essential oil allergies or multiple sensitivities.

See all:

Fragrance-free skin care

Fragrance-free hair care

Fragrance-free body care

Autumn babies more prone to allergies

New research has found that babies born in October and November are more prone to allergies than those born at other times of the year.

9.5% of 'autumn babies' showed an allergic response, compared to 5% of 'summer babies', and were 3 times more likely as the latter to be allergic to milk and eggs.

The scientists involved in the study believe that this may be due to a critical period when the baby is around 11 weeks old, which falls in April or May for autumn babies.

One of the researchers explained explained: "Children having their early gestational period in the pollen season for broad-leafed trees are more prone to sensitisation to food allergens than other children."

The study looked at over 5,000 Finnish children but researchers say it is still too early to determine all of the factors involved in the development of allergies.

Levels of allergies have risen rapidly over the past 50 years and now 30% of the UK population suffer from an allergy at some point during their life. Allergies can display in a variety of forms; skin allergies, asthma, food allergies and intolerances, and, at the most serious end of the allergy spectrum, anaphylaxis.

Many of those with skin allergies find relief in Green People products as we do not use common irritants such as SLS or artificial fragrances. We also have a special fragrance free range, Organic Base, which offers a range of bathroom essentials for those with ultra sensitive skin and allergies to essential oils.