Why I Started Paying Attention to Fragrance (And What My Body Taught Me)

I never used to think much about fragrance.

Avoiding synthetic aromas: A call for fresh, natural scents by Bubble Soap Co.

In fact, I loved it. The stronger, the better. I would choose products based on how they smelled before anything else. To me, a strong fragrance meant something was clean, luxurious or fresh.

But over time, something started happening that I couldn't ignore.

I would occasionally get a headache behind my right eye. It wasn't constant, and I have never been someone who suffered from headaches, so it really stood out when it happened. At first, I couldn't figure out any pattern.

Then I started a new job.

Not long after I began working in the office, I found myself getting these headaches much more often. There was a reed diffuser sitting in the office that filled the room with a strong synthetic fragrance throughout the day. It smelled lovely, but I started noticing that my headaches were becoming more frequent.

At first, I didn't think the two could be related. But over time, I realised the same thing would happen when I was around other heavily fragranced products, whether it was in shops, around certain cleaning products or when using strongly scented personal care products.

The more I paid attention, the more obvious the pattern became.

When I reduced my exposure to synthetic fragrances, the headaches became much less frequent. That was enough for me to start making changes.

I'm not saying synthetic fragrance affects everyone the same way. But it made me realise how important it is to listen to our bodies. Sometimes they're telling us something long before we make the connection.

That experience completely changed the way I think about the products I use and the products I make.

When I created Bubble Soap Co., I wanted to make products that were gentle, simple and made with purpose. Instead of synthetic fragrances, I choose pure essential oils where fragrance is wanted, or I leave products unscented. Every ingredient is there for a reason.

Low-tox living isn't about fear or trying to be perfect. It's about making informed choices and finding what works best for you and your family.

For me, avoiding synthetic fragrances has made a real difference, and it's one of the reasons I'm so passionate about creating natural alternatives.

Sometimes the smallest changes can have the biggest impact. All it takes is paying attention to what your body has been trying to tell you.