Unscented vs. Fragrance-Free Toner - What’s the Difference?

Obviously, a lot of things have changed since 1847. But our commitment at Thayers to providing you with the best skincare products is still as strong as it will ever be.

Part of that promise? Offering you expert knowledge, so it’s easy to select the right skincare product for your needs.

Think of it as our way of giving you the right information *before* you find yourself standing there in the beauty aisle trying to make a decision.

Today’s topic: the difference between unscented and fragrance-free products.

No, they are certainly *not* the same thing. This is why it is important to know the difference to make savvy product choices when creating your best skincare routine.

What Fragrance is in Skincare?

Many brands add fragrances to skincare formulas for a variety of reasons, but mostly for sensorial purposes. In some cases, fragrance additives can also be a way to cover up the naturally unfavorable aroma of some ingredients.

Is fragrance bad for skin? Not necessarily. In fact, most fragrances are safe and generally accepted. However, some people experience reactions to certain ingredients, including those designed to give beauty products a specific aroma.

If you’re one of those people who love the scent of your current skincare products, then you’re probably not worried. But not everyone does, which is why it is important to know the difference between fragranced, fragrance-free and truly unscented products.

What Does Fragrance-Free Mean?

Fragrance-free is a term that refers to those products that do not include any sort of added fragrances, perfumes or ingredients to improve the scent.

What’s important to understand is that being fragrance-free doesn’t always mean that there’s no aroma to the product. While it’s possible that a fragrance-free product can be unscented, based on the properties of its ingredients, many ingredients have their own scent and are not innately unscented. For example, a product can contain rosewater to help provide a natural glow and thus smell like roses, even though no fragrance has been added to the formula.

What Does Unscented Mean?

So, what about the term unscented? This one is often thrown around interchangeably with fragrance-free, but they *do not* mean the same thing.

An unscented skincare product either innately has no aroma or, in some cases, features special additives that neutralize the product’s scent.

If you are looking for a formula that truly has no scent, choosing a product marked unscented would be appropriate instead of fragrance-free. Remember, fragrance-free doesn’t necessarily mean there’s no scent detectable.

Why would a person request this type of skincare formulation?

Those with skin sensitivities or respiratory sensitivities often prefer unscented products. The same can be said for people with normal skin without any sensitive needs but who just happen to prefer zero-scent skincare products.

Thayers Unscented and Fragrance-Free Skincare Products

Making everybody happy isn’t always easy, especially when it comes to something as personal as skincare.

The good news? Thayers understands. That’s why we have both unscented and fragrance-free items to give you the best results possible, so you have the option to pick what works best for your skin.

Thayers Unscented Toner, Facial Mist, Body Balm, Towelettes and Deodorant Spray

We offer unscented toner, facial mist, body balm, deodorant spray and unscented towelettes as part of our apothecary-style product collection.

These items do not contain fragrance nor special additives to mask the natural aroma of the formula. Rather, the ingredients in these formulas are innately odorless.

Thayers Fragrance-Free Radiance-Boosting Collection

If you enjoy a classic rose scent that isn’t overpowering, then you’ll love our Thayers Fragrance-Free Radiance Boosting Collection, created to complement our best-selling Rose Petal Facial Toner.

We don’t add any extra fragrance to our Radiance Boosting Cleanser, Serum or Balm, but the natural addition of rosewater and rosehip contribute a rosy aroma while providing nourishment and hydration for your skin.

Thayers Fragrance-Free Blemish Clearing Collection

If you’re susceptible to clogged pores and breakouts, you’ll love our Blemish Clearing Collection. It includes maximum strength 2% Salicylic Acid, which helps exfoliate pores from the inside out, and lemongrass, which naturally helps improve acne.

There are no added fragrances to the formulas. However, in addition to helping improve the skin, lemongrass naturally contributes a light, refreshing lemon-y scent to the products.

Check out the whole collection, including a toner, cleanser, pads and a lightweight moisturizer balm.

Are Other Thayers Products Fragrance-Free or Unscented?

Most of our facial toners, like our lavender facial toner and coconut water facial toner, are not fragrance-free and unscented. The products contain fragrance for sensorial purposes.

How do you tell which Thayers products are scented, fragrance-free or unscented?

Check our packaging! Products labeled with a blue “Unscented” on the front of the bottle are truly unscented products, with minimal to no scent present. Our ingredients decks will detail ingredients that include fragrance – simply look for the word “Fragrance.”

The Takeaway: Understanding Fragrance-Free vs. Unscented Products

Knowing the difference between fragrance-free and unscented is important when shopping for your new favorite skincare product. As a reminder:

Fragranced: The product has a scent with added fragrance ingredients.

Fragrance-Free: The product may or may not have a scent but does not feature added fragrance ingredients.

Unscented: The product has no scent or virtually undetectable scent and could possibly feature added scent neutralizing ingredient(s).

The best news? With this information, you can find the right one for your needs and personal preference. Of course, we also have a strong inkling that you’ll love our Thayers unscented and fragrance-free skincare formulas as much as we do, too!