Fragrance Sensitivity

[kyra_ojosverdes]

Anyone out there have it? I'd like to burn candles in the front office at work, but one woman (that I know of) is sensitive to many fragrances.

Does anyone know if natural scents (ya know, from natural oils as opposed to synthetic chemical stuff) make a difference for fragrance sensitivity?

Does anyone know of a source for candles made with natural ingredients? I'd love to find some soy-wax candles which are scented with natural oils.

(In other 'natural oil' news, I used some calendula baby oil to clean off the mascara that I'd applied last night. Now my eyes are all puffy and a little irritated. I Googled calendula, and it's used widely to *reduce* eye puffiness and irritation, so maybe I have a specific sensitivity to the stuff.)

Comments

[canyonwren.livejournal.com]

Well, I know an ex of mine is allergic to a clove fragrance. Which was the scent of a little satchel I got him, funnily enough. I think it'd be in everyone's interest to ask people if a) they're allergic and b) if they mind. Personally, there are few fragrances I like, and I often beat a hasty retreat from stores that are scented by candles, incense or perfumes. Some of them set me to sneezing and others I feel like I can't breathe around because it just smells horrible to me. On the other hand, I burn a brown sugar scented candle at home that I love. And a buttercream candle. Mmm. Sweet tooth much?

I was miserable often when I danced, because the backstage areas completely stank with perfume and hairspray. I would often feel like I couldn't breathe and ended up putting my foot down about the hairspray (NOT in a small enclosed area, thank you!), which ruffled some feathers.

Anyway, I'm always a little concerned about doing things in an environment that other people are affected by, or can't get away from. Scents and music, or other noise, are on top of the list.

[roguespirit.livejournal.com]

Sensitive as in allergic or sensitive as in her sense of smell is really keen? If it's an allergy, you may want to ask what she can deal with and figure out from there what you like. If it's a keen sense of smell... well, my experience with that particular type of person (my mother) hasn't been terribly pleasant and I don't think anything I would say would be very nice.

[cpthorfe.livejournal.com]

Rest assured, *someone* is allergic to just about anything on God's Green Earth (tm).

[peachestavern.livejournal.com]

I'm thinkin' you're allergic to it sweetheart. Just a guess tho. LOL

[weedblossom.livejournal.com]

Well, I HAD a really good site bookmarked that was all about natural candle scents and oils - but I can't find it. I'm sorry.

I do think, though, that every person is different. My roommate suffers from migraines from just about every smell-trigger you can imagine. I can handle pretty much anything but vinegar (though I don't think that comes in a candle . . .).

[tigermorph.livejournal.com]

I am incredibly sensitive to scents. But, what I have learned, is that I am sensitive to CHEAP scents, as in; those watered down with alchohol.

Pure oils, no problem. Add alcohol to increase volume, I'll get a migraine.
Parfum, no problem, but Eau de Cologne (parfum with alcohol) will kill me dead in my tracks. I can actually feel it flip the migraine trigger in my head.

Some laundry detergent will do me in.

Suffice it to say - this is painful and scary enough that I don't often buy candles and I have NO Airwick type anything in my house.

[hopeevey.livejournal.com]

burning an un-scented candle often helps with stale air, without adding any smells.

It can't hurt to give it a try.