My journey into this fight began thirty years ago in a small London apothecary, where one breath of pure lavender essential oil changed everything. That moment of clarity led me to co-found EO Products with a simple mission: create product formulations with essential oils and other botanical ingredients that actually respect both people and planet. What I didn't anticipate was how desperately the entire industry needed—and still needs—transparency.

That "fragrance" or "parfum" on your favorite product label? It legally disguises hundreds of synthetic chemicals, many never tested for long-term health impacts. Not just misleading—potentially harmful. While ingredient transparency has improved in many areas, scent formulations remain protected by outdated "trade secret" designations.

At EO, we've spent three decades creating products that are better for people and the planet. Essential oils are highly concentrated, distilled or cold pressed from flowers, leaves, bark—more expensive and tricky to use in formulations. Think of the difference between a real garden rose and an artificial silk rose. Though both may be beautiful from across the room, as we lean over to inhale their fragrance, one is vital and generative and the silk one, a doppelgänger, is lifeless and odorless. We've demonstrated that transparent sourcing and genuine plant-derived scents create exceptional products. Yet competitors continue exploiting regulatory loopholes, slapping "natural" and "clean" labels on products filled with synthetic compounds.

As Mother's Day approaches, many of us will turn to scented personal care products and perfumes as thoughtful gifts. It's a beautiful tradition—showing appreciation through aromas that evoke comfort, care, and natural beauty. But wouldn't it be more meaningful if we could confidently choose products with ingredients that truly honor the health of those we love? 

The health stakes are real. Synthetic scents enter your body through two direct pathways. When inhaled, they travel straight into your lungs and bloodstream, triggering respiratory issues, headaches, and neurological symptoms. Through skin absorption, they cause irritation and may disrupt hormonal systems with repeated exposure. One-third of all fragrance chemicals currently used have been flagged as toxic or potentially toxic. Let that sink in.

Beyond health concerns, synthetic scents rob us of something profound. Essential oils don't merely smell good—they connect us to nature in ways synthetic fragrances cannot. They carry the subtle signatures of season, soil, and climate. They naturally dissipate rather than lingering for days. Each lavender harvest tells its own story—some years more floral, others more herbaceous. Laboratory-created fragrances can only mimic these qualities. Like AI-generated art, there's an unmistakable flatness once you've experienced the real thing. The complexity, the living quality, the earth connection—all lost in synthetic reproduction.

California has taken the lead with legislation like the CA Safe Cosmetics Act (SB 484), requiring companies to report products containing known carcinogens or birth defect-causing chemicals. The CA Fragrance & Flavor Ingredient Right To Know Act (SB 312) closed a critical loophole, mandating disclosure of harmful fragrance ingredients. The CA Toxic Free Cosmetic Act (AB 2762) banned 24 of the most dangerous chemicals from beauty products—the first state-level ban of its kind.

But these measures, while steps forward, still burden consumers with deciphering complex disclosures. And despite California's leadership, federal legislation has stalled, leaving most Americans unprotected. We need comprehensive, nationwide transparency that shifts responsibility where it belongs: with manufacturers.

The solution is straightforward: mandatory, comprehensive disclosure of scent ingredients. No exceptions, no loopholes. This isn't about creating fear—it's about enabling informed choices.

You can take action now with three steps:

1. First, use the Environmental Working Group's database to identify fragrance ingredients.
2. Second, directly question manufacturers about their fragrance use.
3. Third, call your lawmakers and demand better protections. Small actions become meaningful change.

At EO Products, we're upholding the promise I made 30 years ago in that London apothecary—creating products with transparency, integrity and genuine connection to the natural world. The industry can do better. Consumers deserve better. The time for full disclosure is now.