Unpacking the myths of fragrance in beauty products.
– KEYS SOULCARE
We sat down with Christopher Choi (VP, Safety & Regulatory), Cheryl Kissel (Director of Safety Assurance), Jelena LeBreton (VP, Consumer Research & Market Insight), and Catherine Selig (Senior Perfumer) from Takasago, the fragrance experts behind the Keys Soulcare offerings, to learn what it takes to conjure scents as safe as they are effective.
What are some of the common myths about scent and fragrance in products?
Breton: As an industry we always consider consumer perception of using scented products on your face. Our goal is to make fragrance very simple to understand so that people can welcome the scent into their daily personal care routines.
In our research, we have found that concern over adverse effects from fragrance in skincare products is a myth. Most of the consumers we have spoken with are aware of fragrance in skincare and found the amount to be just right. It’s important to work in harmony with what you are trying to convey, and what the skincare is trying to do. Striking the right balance is really critical to making sure the fragrance complements the overall experience.
How do you test ingredients for skin and hair versus other categories like body care or fragrance?
Choi: We don’t test any of our fragrances on humans or animals. The safety of our fragrance is based on the safety of each individual component. The assumption is that each individual component is safe for its specific intended use at a certain concentration of what is formulated into a final product.
How did you decide which scents were right for Keys Soulcare?
Selig: First, the inspiration came from Alicia — and what she loved. And we also wanted to find ingredients that people recognize and feel comfortable with, like sage and oat milk, which are used in self-care rituals. We built the fragrances, and the collection, around natural ingredients.
The Keys Soulcare team is excited to bring forth offerings that are as safe as they are effective in supporting individual rituals and self-care journeys. Expect signature notes of sage and oat milk to soothe and clarify, with a balanced fragrance that Alicia says “smells like me in a bottle” — coming December 3.
Ultimately, the relationship with scent comes down to the individual. What’s your preference?
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