Why I’m Obsessed with Fragrance (and Why You Should Be Too)
What we use on our bodies and in our homes matters more than you think.
I need to talk about fragrance.
I’ve always been fascinated by it. Fragrance has this incredible power to evoke emotions, memories, even entire atmospheres. But what most people don’t realize is that it also has the power to harm. And for me, that realization didn’t come gently—it came crashing down after I hit my head in 2012.
My Fragrance Journey
Something changed for me after that injury. Certain smells started to have a negative effect on me. I didn’t realize at first that it was the fragrance itself—I assumed it was me. After all, I’d just gone through a trauma. I was dealing with migraines and dizziness, so it made sense to blame my body.
But then things got worse. I had to start throwing away products I’d always loved—expensive candles, shampoos, body washes. I hated doing it, but I couldn’t use them anymore. A great example? Bath & Body Works candles. I used to hoard them, lighting them all the time to make my home feel cozy and inviting. But after the injury, I couldn’t tolerate them anymore. At first, I thought I was just being sensitive, but as time went on, I started to hear more about the dangers of artificial fragrances.
It wasn’t until 2017, when I got sick and started looking deeper, that things really clicked for me. I bought a bag of Epsom salts from a very well-known brand. The packaging was beautiful—so natural-looking—and I trusted it. But when I looked up the ingredients, I realized it was full of endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
The Realization
I was furious. Here was a product marketed as healthy, as something you’d use to relax and take care of yourself, and it was full of harmful chemicals that could mess with your hormones. That bag of Epsom salts was my wake-up call. I realized this wasn’t just about me—this was an industry-wide problem.
Being me, I couldn’t let it go. I did a deep dive into the company and discovered that it used to be strictly a fragrance company. It became clear that their bath products weren’t designed for self-care—they were designed as a vehicle to sell their fragrances. Fragrance was the currency of their company, and they weren’t going to change it because doing so would be prohibitively expensive.
That realization didn’t just aggravate me—it lit a fire in me. I started digging into the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, using Nielsen data to figure out how this company operated and whether I could compete. What I learned was fascinating.
Great example? Bath & Body Works candles. I used to hoard them, lighting them all the time to make my home feel cozy and inviting. But after the injury, I couldn’t tolerate them anymore.
The Realization
I was furious. Here was a product marketed as healthy, as something you’d use to relax and take care of yourself, and it was full of harmful chemicals that could mess with your hormones. That bag of Epsom salts was my wake-up call. I realized this wasn’t just about me—this was an industry-wide problem.
Being me, I couldn’t let it go. I did a deep dive into the company and discovered that it used to be strictly a fragrance company. It became clear that their bath products weren’t designed for self-care—they were designed as a vehicle to sell their fragrances. Fragrance was the currency of their company, and they weren’t going to change it because doing so would be prohibitively expensive.
That realization didn’t just aggravate me—it lit a fire in me. I started digging into the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, using Nielsen data to figure out how this company operated and whether I could compete. What I learned was fascinating.
Taking on the Big Guys
I discovered that my competitor couldn’t pivot to natural fragrances without destroying their business model. They dominate the aisles in mass-market retailers, but they’re stuck in their ways. That makes them vulnerable.
And me? I’m not afraid to compete. Because I can do what they can’t: I can offer a product that’s safe, natural, and just as affordable. I can challenge the status quo.
But to do that, I had to learn some tough lessons.
Learning the Hard Way
When I first started, I thought I knew what people wanted: beautiful packaging, value-packed sets, and a luxury experience at a reasonable price. So, I went big. I created value packs, spent a fortune on inventory and packaging, and... nothing. They didn’t sell.
The price point wasn’t right, the configuration wasn’t what people wanted, and I was left with a lot of wasted time and money.
Through a mix of happenstance and kismet, I got into an accelerator program with Nielsen, and it changed everything. I started to understand how data could shape my decisions. I realized that to succeed in the mass market, I had to satisfy every stakeholder in the process.
The Stakeholder Balancing Act
Here’s the thing about selling in retail: buyers don’t have the luxury of being forward-thinking. They’re looking at historical data to make decisions, and their incentives are tied to sales. If you offer them something new that doesn’t have a track record, they don’t have much incentive to take a chance on it.
So, I started looking at what was already working—what sizes and fragrances were selling—and building from there. Instead of reinventing the wheel, I created products that complemented existing trends, like combining eucalyptus and rose or lavender and honey. These weren’t just random ideas—they were strategic moves based on data.
The Hidden Dangers of Artificial Fragrance
While I was learning about the industry, I also dug deeper into the impact of artificial fragrances. Most people don’t realize it, but many of the products they use every day—candles, shampoos, laundry detergents—are full of chemicals that disrupt hormones and can cause long-term health issues.
Endocrine disruptors are particularly insidious. They interfere with the body’s hormonal system, affecting everything from metabolism to fertility. And the worst part? Companies aren’t required to disclose every chemical they use in their fragrances. So, when you see “fragrance” or “parfum” on a label, it’s a black box of who-knows-what.
That’s why transparency is so important to me. Every product we make at Mom Bomb is free from artificial fragrances. We use essential oils and natural ingredients and plant based fragrances, without the harmful PBA’s and Phthalates, that not only smell amazing but also have real benefits for your body and mind.
A Better Way Forward
Fragrance is powerful. It can create comfort, trigger memories, and transform a space. But it shouldn’t come at the cost of your health. That’s why I’m so passionate about offering products that are not only beautiful but safe.
When you light a candle or soak in the bath, you should know that it isn’t causing harm to your health in the same way we expect safety from airlines. It’s assumed when you purchase an airline ticket that you’ll get to your destination without crashing, shouldn’t it be the same assumption with products marketed as healthy and relaxing?
What Can You Do?
Start reading labels. If you see “fragrance” or “parfum,” be cautious—it’s a red flag for hidden chemicals. Look for brands that are transparent about their ingredients and committed to safety.
And if you’re looking for a place to start, you know where to find us. 😉
Let’s demand better for ourselves and our families. Because when we know better, we can do better.
Thank you for reading and for being part of this mission. If you want to learn more about Mom Bomb or support our work, visit www.mombomb.org.