Fragrance-free face mist: how to check the label

Where fragrance appears in an EU ingredient list

Under EU cosmetics law, perfume and aromatic compositions are listed as “parfum” or “aroma” (Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Article 19(1)(g), as adopted). The list follows the word “Ingredients” and runs in descending order of weight; ingredients under 1 % may follow in any order.

Certain individual fragrance substances must also be named in the list, in addition to “parfum” or “aroma”, when they are present above set levels: 0.001 % in leave-on products such as a mist, and 0.01 % in rinse-off products (European Commission, fragrance labelling page). We don't list those substance names here.

The labelling update

Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 raises the number of fragrance substances that must be named individually. The Commission says 56 were added; Cosmetics Europe, the industry body, says the number goes from 24 to 81 substances and calls it “a labelling change only” (Cosmetics Europe, Understanding the label).

Since 31 July 2026, products that don't follow the new labelling may no longer be placed on the EU market. Products placed on the market before that date may still be made available until 31 July 2028. So in shops now you may see packs with the old and the new style of list side by side.

The Commission adds that you may see more individual fragrance ingredients on packs, and that an ingredient appearing in the list does not mean the product is unsafe. It is there so people can check.

“Fragrance-free” vs “unscented”

The European Commission's Technical Document on cosmetic claims (non-binding guidance on applying the binding Common Criteria in Regulation (EU) No 655/2013) says a “free from perfume” claim should not be used when a product contains an ingredient that has a perfuming function, whatever its other functions (Technical Document, Annex III).

The UK trade body CTPA explains that “unscented” may mean no noticeable smell, while a small amount of fragrance ingredient is used to mask an unpleasant smell. In that case the list still shows the fragrance (CTPA FAQ).

Takeaway: read the ingredient list, not just the front of the pack.

Plant oils and extracts

CTPA notes that named fragrance substances may also be present in ingredients that don't have a perfuming function, for example essential oils or other natural extracts. So a list that includes plant oils is worth reading carefully.

An example from our price page, using shop ingredient lists as the shops showed them on 19 October 2026: none of the four HOCl mists there shows “parfum” or “aroma” (the medicube list was re-read on 20 October 2026). Three are short lists (water, salt, hypochlorous acid). The fourth, medicube, has a longer list that includes added plant oils (eucalyptus, rosemary, tea tree). We don't say anything about that product beyond what the list shows; it is simply the kind of list to read carefully.

A shop listing can differ from the pack, and lists can change. Check the pack in your hand.

To see where our current pick can and can't be ordered, by country, see the picks and shipping notes.

Why an HOCl mist can smell of a pool

On its FAQ, Briotech says: “HOCl lives on the same spectrum as chlorine and can have a similar, faint scent. This smell is natural to HOCl and to be expected.” The brand also says that adding fragrances to HOCl “will affect stability” (Briotech FAQ). So a faint pool smell is not, by itself, a sign of added fragrance.

For the basics, see what an HOCl face mist is and how to store an HOCl mist.

A 30-second check

1. Find the word “Ingredients”.
2. Look for “parfum” or “aroma”.
3. Look for named fragrance substances and for plant oils.
4. Don't rely on “unscented”.
5. Patch-test first: see the patch-test steps and the minimal routine.

Who to ask

If a label is unclear, or you have a skin or health concern, ask a pharmacist. This site can't answer it for you.