Fragrance-free, unscented and no synthetic fragrance: what differs?
These labels answer different questions. FDA notes that even an “unscented” cosmetic can contain fragrance added to mask the smell of other ingredients. It also says terms such as “fragrance-free” have no federal standard or definition. Check the exact package and ingredient list rather than treating a front-label claim as an allergy guarantee.
| Label | What to check |
|---|---|
| Unscented | A product with little or no noticeable scent may still contain fragrance added to mask other odors. |
| Fragrance-free | Read the brand’s exact statement and current ingredient list. Other ingredients can still have their own smell. |
| No synthetic fragrance | A claim about synthetic fragrance does not by itself establish that essential oils or all fragrance ingredients are absent. |
FDA · fragrance ingredients and masking fragrance ↗ · FDA · label terms and cosmetic allergens ↗
A specific product example: PURITO’s unscented toner
PURITO says its Wonder Releaf Centella Toner Unscented contains no fragrance or essential oils, while noting that the ingredients may have a mild natural scent. The page displays both “No Synthetic Fragrance” and “Fragrance-free.” Those are statements about this toner; they do not define every brand’s use of the same words.
PURITO · exact product description ↗
Are unscented lotions and body washes always fragrance-free?
No. An unscented cosmetic may contain masking fragrance. Read the current product’s ingredient list and the brand’s claim; a fragrance mixture can be listed simply as “fragrance” or “perfume.” If you need to avoid a specific ingredient and the label is unclear, ask the manufacturer.
Read vegan and cruelty-free as two separate claims
A Vegan Friendly label is a product-level statement about the formula. Cruelty Free is a statement about animal testing. One does not automatically prove the other, so Marieclat only displays a label when the current official page for that exact catalog product states it.
Why “clean” is not a Marieclat filter
“Clean” does not tell you one fixed list of ingredients, whether a product is vegan, or how your skin will respond. Brands and retailers can use the word differently. Read the full ingredient list, the market version and any claim you personally need instead of using “clean” as a shortcut.
Check the exact product, market and version
A brand-wide policy is useful context, but it does not replace a product page or package. Formulas and packaging can change between markets. For example, COSRX’s current Snail 96 page says its snail filtrate makes the formula not vegan. Use the label on the product you will actually buy as the final check.
A few useful answers
Does vegan mean fragrance-free?
No. Vegan describes animal-derived ingredients. Fragrance information is a separate formula claim.
Does cruelty-free mean every product from the brand is vegan?
No. Check the exact product. A brand may describe an animal-testing policy while still selling formulas that contain animal-derived ingredients.