Safe Summer Scents: Floral and Fruity Fragrances That Are Allergy-Friendly

According to The Black Health Zone, about 40 million people in the U.S. have seasonal allergies, and many of these individuals are also “allergic” to allergy pills. This can be a challenge for those who love wearing perfumes and scents. But, instead of relying on sleep-inducing allergy treatments like Benadryl (which can also cause water retention), reduce your sneezing, watery eyes and sniffles with these allergy-free perfumes. These scents are perfect for summer, and safe for all-day wear.

Laila. Laila was created by Norwegian former model and actor Geir Ness. Ness originally created the fragrance as a Mother’s Day present for his mom, but the perfume soon gained popularity in Hollywood for its sweet, melon scent and environmentally-friendly ingredients. Female reporters, nominees, and guests who arrived on the red carpet commonly complained that the perfumes of fellow celebrities and presenters were too strong and aggravated their allergies. When Ness heard about this,  he worked out a deal with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2000 to sell large quantities of Laila to the Academy for the women at sponsored events to wear. Laila has no additives or allergens, and is a blend of natural essential oils, including watermelon and lavender. Essences of Norwegian lily and snowflower make this summery perfume positively intoxicating. You can find the fragrance at stores like Nordstrom for just over $70.

Aftelier Candide. Aftelier’s Candide perfume has also been coined “Liquid Valium”.  Jasmine, the main floral ingredient in this fragrance, is hailed by the Journal of Biological Chemistry as more effective for calming the senses than valium. Mandy Aftel, founder of Aftelier perfumes, states that Candide is the perfect blend of “high and low, sweet and dirty.” This makes it perfect for a summer date night, but a few spritzes on your wrists and neck are still appropriate for the office. In addition to jasmine, which is the botanical alternative to the fragrance fillers in most conventional perfumes, Candide also contains grapefruit and blood orange essences–scents that are indicative of the warmer months of the year. You can find Candide by Aftelier on the company website ; travel size bottles of Candide are $45, but you can also order a sample for $6 to see how you like it.

Anya’s Garden RiverCali. Anya’s Garden was started by alchemist Anya McCoy in Miami, Florida; many of the perfumes have won several awards from perfume bloggers since 2009, when the company began. There are no synthetic carriers or fillers in any of the fragrances, making them completely safe for people who suffer from allergies. RiverCali is a signature summer scent because it contains pink pepper oil, which is both warm and bright, along with citrus oils and a classic rose scent that makes the fragrance endearing and romantic. Full-size bottles of RiverCali are available on the Anya’s Garden website for $65; samples are on sale for $7.

Aveda Love Purefume. Aveda’s Purefume in “Love” comes in a cylinder-shaped bottle with a roll-on applicator, so it’s easy to travel with and even easier to apply. No artificial ingredients are included in the fragrance, and the Australian sandalwood, which is the base oil of the fragrance, is sustainably harvested, in keeping with Aveda’s eco-friendly standards. Rose and ylang ylang fragrances round out the perfume, making it just right for summer evening plans. The Purefume is also 90% organic, and available for $22 on the Aveda website.

Nantucket Natural Oils. Nantucket Natural Oils takes some of the world’s most popular fragrances and makes them all-natural. The company states that “you won’t find anything in our natural perfume that nature didn’t make.” And even though alcohol, one the main ingredients in conventional fragrances, is natural, the selections from Nantucket Natural Oils are alcohol-free, too. This summer, try the all-natural version of Elizabeth Arden’s 5th Avenue, a blend of peach, nutmeg, mandarin and magnolia oils, or Amarige by Givenchy-a combination of mimosa, orange flowers and melon. Fragrances cost about $45, and are available on Nantucket Natural Oils website.