Avoiding artificial fragrance and plastic in your personal care

By James Allan, founder of Smelly Men.

We're not here to tell you what to do.

If you're trying for a baby, or just thinking about it, you'll find plenty of advice online about plastic and artificial fragrance. Some of it is cautious, some of it is loud, and the research is still developing. People reasonably make different choices.

Whatever you decide, you still need to wash. So if cutting back on artificial fragrance and plastic is on your list, here's what we do.

No parfum. Parfum is one word that can cover a long list of undisclosed ingredients. We don't use it. Our soaps and deodorants are scented with essential oils, and every ingredient is named on the box and on the product page.

Cardboard and paper, not plastic. Our soaps come in cardboard cartons, our deodorants in cardboard push-up tubes, and the labels are paper. It's part of why Surfers Against Sewage made us a Plastic Free Champion.

Natural, and honest about the scent. Our soaps and deodorants are 100% natural. The soap is cold-process, made with plant oils and butters, and the deodorants are aluminium-free. Essential oils are still scent, so if you've been told to avoid all fragrance, our range isn't the answer. If it's artificial fragrance you're avoiding, it might be.

There's a range for him and a range for her. If you're making the change together, our Couple's Kits put two Essentials Kits (two soaps and a deodorant each) in one box, enough for both of you for two months: The Couple's Night Out Set or The Couple's Day Out Set.

No lectures, no scare stories. Just soap and deodorant with the ingredients written on the box.

Quick answers

Are your products fragrance-free?
No. Our soaps and deodorants are scented with essential oils. We don't use parfum, and every ingredient is named. If you've been told to avoid all fragrance, our range isn't the answer.

What is parfum, and why don't you use it?
Parfum is one word that can stand in for dozens of ingredients, and the brand doesn't have to list them individually, so you can't know what you're putting on your skin. Some are known skin allergens. Some, such as certain phthalates, are chemicals many people would rather avoid. We name every ingredient, essential oils included.

What are your soaps and deodorants packed in?
Our soaps come in cardboard cartons, and our deodorants use cardboard tubes and paper labels.

Is this medical advice?
No. We make soap and deodorant. If you want advice about trying for a baby, a health professional is the person to ask.