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    Think before you spritz…

    Updated:12 Feb 2015 8:26 PM | Posted by
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    Beauties, hold the juice. It might just save your skin.

    I have a question for you, beauties: where exactly do you apply your perfume each day?

    Now, I know this is a complete stab in the dark, but I’m going to guess that most of you answered one or all of the following: “On my neck, décolletage and behind my ears, Cherie.”

    And if so, I would most likely respond by gasping in horror. Yes, horror.

    Why? Your favourite juice is likely to contain alcohol, you see, which when applied to your exposed skin during daylight hours, causes it to be come oh-so-photosensitive to sunlight. This means your skin is more likely to suffer from sunburn, leading to wrinkles, pigmentation and possibly even skin cancer. (Now you understand the gasping in horror, right? Right.) 

    Grand ideas for safe fragrance application

    Spray your perfume onto your wrists. (Just don’t rub them together – this bruises the notes, altering the scent.) Or, squirt your delicious smelling juice onto the skin under your clothes. (Avoid spraying it onto your actual clothes – fragrance can stain fabrics!) Heat helps emit the perfume from your body, so any bendy body parts like your inner elbows and knees are also wonderful places. Oh, and spritzing your fragrance on your hair does leave a lovely lingering scent, but the alcohol can also dry out your strands so be wary when doing so. 

    Sidenote: obviously you can go bonkers with your fragrance on your exposed areas at night, but it’s better to learn good habits now, and just avoid these body parts no matter what time of the day it is. You’ll still smell sensational, but you’ll be keeping your skin healthy, glowing and even-toned for longer.

    Did you know applying fragrances to exposed skin during daylight hours is a very bad idea? Will you avoid doing so from now on?

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    126 Member Comments

    Sootyhere 20 Jun 2018 12:10 PM

    OMG I have never heard of this before. Photosentivity leading to sun damage perhaps leading to increased cancers. Something to be aware of for sure. I will think before I spray from now on. Thanks for the article. Pays to research doesn't it.

    ashlee. 3 May 2018 11:50 AM

    I've only sprayed my wrists, and used my wrists to rub behind my ears. I won't be rubbing anymore! And I wasn't aware of the photosensitivity, but I would generally only wear perfume for the rare evening event. Still, good to be aware!

    Miss19 11 Nov 2016 5:14 PM

    I spray it on my wrists and my hair

    Yohanna 21 Apr 2016 5:03 PM

    I always spritz on clothing. The chemicals from the perfumes really do damage the skin and even some get absorbed (i get eczema from them). Have to spray also away from the head. I do get nauseous easy from them

    itslinda 4 Apr 2016 5:03 PM

    Great article :)

    Mellyjane 27 Jul 2014 6:07 AM

    Changing the way I spray. Stat.

    Growing old 26 Jul 2014 9:25 AM

    OMG light bulb moment!!! I didn't know this even tho after reading this it's quite obvious that continually spraying alcohol on spots wouldn't be a great idea. But it explains my wrecked neck!!! I'd noticed the skin at the sites where I've always applied perfume to look bloody terrible about 5-6 years ago and at first thought it was from dangly earrings and it was so bad I showed my hubby worried something was wrong (hadn't noticed it was on both sides until I showed him). Fast forward up until a few months ago and it had gotten really bad and very noticeable. My skin in that area looked 30 years older than I am...aweful! Horror alright!!! The past couple of months I've been using skin resurfacing products and have been very attentive to those sites and it has improved quite a lot but far out I wished I had known this from my very first bottle of perfume or at least knew before I had done so much damage :( it's great to read so many beauties already knew this :) never again will I use perfume like that again! HORROR ALRIGHT!!!! Thanks BH!

    Yohanna 21 Apr 2016 5:06 PM

    Just do not ever put it directly onto the skin! It will damage it again no matter where you put it!

    Yohanna 21 Apr 2016 5:05 PM

    On every part of the skin my sis sprayed her perfumes she has eczema patches and darkening. Wrists, neck and even decolletage. I told her to spray like me ( I get the same reactions and dermatitis too) on the clothing.

    Tiarna203 26 Jul 2014 1:27 AM

    I had no idea about this, I didn't even think! Starting today I will be using these tips :D

    Soan 25 Jul 2014 7:05 AM

    Wow.. I never thought of it. Good info to have.

    rochelle1991 25 Jul 2014 4:26 AM

    I'd never even thought about this! thanks for the tip!!

    Flicky26 25 Jul 2014 4:13 AM

    I've always sprayed wrists, inner elbows & knees. Someone told me these tips years ago :-)

    Brinsley 25 Jul 2014 4:13 AM

    I spray my wrists, I never spray my neck - I did suffer from pigmentation near my ears (it's almost completely gone now) so I don't want to risk getting it back! I used to spay perfume on my neck and in the summer too - so that's probably how I got it! I often spray my tummy to before I get dressed and décolletage but not where it's not covered up!

    happyasrain 25 Jul 2014 3:26 AM

    Although I knew that perfumes can stain clothing, I didn't know that they could also make your skin more sensitive. I'll be more mindful of where I spritz from now on.

    Mercymax 24 Jul 2014 9:59 PM

    Good tips but I mostly enjoying reading the ladies comments to see how everyone wears their favourite scent.

    moonbaby54 24 Jul 2014 4:21 PM

    Great article. Just lately I have been spraying my perfume on my body before I dress. Seems like it is just as well I changed my ways.

    2forMe 24 Jul 2014 7:02 AM

    I find many perfumes make me get headaches so only wear them occasionally.

    missredsage 24 Jul 2014 4:39 AM

    Spraying on my clothes works for me!

    Anitas Artistry 24 Jul 2014 4:12 AM

    I did know that!

    vdeex3 23 Jul 2014 2:04 PM

    I find my perfume never stays !

    Michelle240 22 Jul 2014 11:59 PM

    Never realised perfume could be harming my skin!

    Jacquelinee 22 Jul 2014 12:30 PM

    oh my goodness I completely forgot about the drying out alcohol in fragrances can do!! I spray it on my neck so I can smell it sooner but I guess I'll have to sacrifice my hair instead.

    SnowWhite00 22 Jul 2014 11:49 AM

    What do you know, my mum was right when she told me don't put perfume on your skin. It's reminding me of Dr Oz's line "Mum is always right". But I'm still guilty when it comes to neck.

    Petal 22 Jul 2014 4:00 AM

    I spray perfume on my wrists and décolletage. I wasn't aware of the concerns of photosensitivity with perfume. Thank you!

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