Natural alternatives to toxic perfumes
- Martyna Bajer
- Oct 12
- 3 min read
Are you using perfumes? Well, it may not be the best choice for your health... But fear not - I got some clean alternatives for you!
Let’s talk about perfumes today — and I won’t sugarcoat it... Most of them are just chemical soup in a pretty bottle 🙃
When I work with my 3-month mentorship clients, we go way beyond food and digestion — we dive into skincare, cosmetics, and everyday products too. Why? Because these small daily exposures matter.
And when we have more time together, it's much easier to explore alternatives and make simple, sustainable swaps.
I do this because I truly want to support healing on all levels — and help my clients build habits that don’t just work short-term, but actually stay with them for life.
So what’s the deal with perfumes?
Most conventional perfumes (even the luxury ones!) contain:
Phthalates – known endocrine disruptors 😭
Synthetic musks – build up in the body, can interfere with fertility and are bad for the environment too.
Fragrance – a vague term legally allowed to hide hundreds of chemicals).
And the worst part is that those companies are not required to disclose the full ingredients list! So what smells like "mystic rose at midnight" might just be mystery poison...💣
Ayurvedic view on perfumes:
Now, you might wonder what does Ayurveda say about perfumes?
Well, back in the day, there were no synthetic perfumes. So classical Ayurvedic texts don’t mention “perfumes” as we know them today. But they do talk a lot about toxins (ama).
According to Ayurveda, anything that creates ama (sticky, undigested waste) in the body can disrupt your doshas, dull your mental clarity, and weaken your immune system. And yes — repeated exposure to synthetic chemicals via the skin or breath definitely falls into that category.
So if you want to smell amazing and feel balanced, nature’s got your back!
Ayurveda places great value on natural scents from flowers, herbs, and oils — not to artificially mask body odour, but to elevate your energy, mood, and even spiritual state 🌸
Here are some natural alternatives for you:
Essential oil rollers: Pre-made blends like lavender-vanilla, rose, or patchouli-orange are sensual, soothing, and safe. Just roll on pulse points.
DIY natural perfume oil: Mix a carrier oil (like jojoba or almond) with your favorite essential oils. Personally, I love ylang-ylang + rose for my hormones and to bring in more feminine energy.
Lemon deodorant: One of my Ayurvedic favorites! 🍋 Just swipe half a lemon under clean pits – antibacterial, refreshing, and smells like summer (don’t use post-shave though).
Scented body oils: Lightly infused oils (like rose petal oil or jasmine coconut oil) give your body a subtle, natural scent. My favourite brand selling body (and hair!) oils in Europe is Khadi Cosmetics (their website is in German but you can find them also on Amazon and elsewhere).
REMEMBER: Your natural scent is part of your prakriti — your unique constitution. When digestion is strong and toxicity is low, your body naturally gives off a pleasant scent. That’s why Ayurveda says that real beauty (and aroma!) comes from the inside! So the best scent is just being clean, balanced, and well-fed with proper oils and spices! 🌿
Also, just ask yourself...
Are you even into heavily perfumed people? We’re literally biologically wired to be drawn to the natural scent of people we’re compatible with. That raw, subtle body scent (not the Dior Sauvage lol) carries chemical signals called pheromones which can influence attraction, bonding, and even immune system compatibility! :)
