Author: Candace Grenier (Formulator & Founder of Pure Anada)
Since first creating Pure Anada, it’s been important to me that we offer safer, healthier bath and beauty products than what’s commonly found in the mainstream market. One of the key differences has been our choice to use natural scent options instead of synthetic fragrances. Synthetic fragrance has been called the “new second-hand smoke” because some components can act as endocrine disruptors and may affect overall health over time.
Finding a Safer Alternative
At first, I assumed my only options for scent were essential oils. While essential oils are beautiful and often offer therapeutic benefits, they don’t provide the fruity or playful aromas that many people love in body care and skincare products.
Eventually, I discovered natural flavors—compounds originally designed for the organic food industry. I learned that these flavors could impart a soft, subtle scent to lotions, creams, and soaps.
One of the perceived disadvantages of using flavors is that they don’t linger very long in the air or on your skin once applied. But we soon realized this was actually a huge advantage! You get to enjoy the burst of “flavor” when you apply it—without polluting the air or bothering sensitive individuals as you go about your day. It was such a fun win to be able to offer this option to our customers.
What Are Natural Flavors?
Natural flavors (used in Pure Anada products) are compounds derived from natural sources such as plants, fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, or fermented materials.
They are created using physical or biological processes, including: pressing, distillation, fermentation, enzymatic reactions. To be classified as a “natural flavor”, all constituents must come from natural sources—even though the compounds may undergo significant processing.
While they’re primarily used in the food and beverage industry for taste and aroma, we discovered they work beautifully in cosmetics too.
Benefits of natural flavors in cosmetics:
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Gentler on the skin: Natural compounds are generally less irritating than synthetic chemicals.
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Safer: Natural flavors are not known to be endocrine-disrupting when inhaled.
- Dissipation: they don't linger in the air long after applied, making it safe to use in scent-free environments.
Natural fragrances are similar to natural flavours — in that they are made from natural compounds. The only difference is that they are not intended for ingestion.
Shop all Pure Anada natural scented bodycare HERE.
What Are Synthetic Fragrances?
Synthetic fragrances are chemically formulated compounds designed to mimic natural scents or create entirely new aromas. Manufacturers often choose them because they are:
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Cost-effective: Cheaper than sourcing natural ingredients.
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Consistent: Maintain the same scent across batches.
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Long-lasting: Often linger on skin longer, seemingly ideal for perfumes and deodorants.
However, synthetic fragrances can cause issues for some people. They may contain phthalates or allergens, which can irritate sensitive skin or trigger reactions. They also lack the subtle therapeutic benefits of natural essential oils or botanicals.
“Better” Synthetic Fragrance Options?
At Pure Anada, synthetic fragrance will never be an option. As founder and formulator, this is a core value of the brand.
This became especially relevant when we acquired another Manitoba brand, Tiber River Naturals, at the end of 2024. Their products focus on fun, fruity scents, which I knew appealed to a specific market of people who don’t share the same purist values as our Pure Anada customers. We justified the addition of this “sister brand” because we believe customers should be able to make this choice for themselves. Something for everyone!
It is important to note that not all synthetic fragrances are created equal. The main culprits are solvents classified as phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors. For Tiber River products, we ensure that all synthetic fragrances are certified phthalate-free.
Also worth noting: many Tiber River products do not contain synthetic fragrances! Their skincare and household/lifestyle products - and many others in their line - are essential oil–based and, in this way, align with Pure Anada’s values.
Labeling Considerations
Fragrance formulas are often proprietary, which is why cosmetic labels are vague. You’ll commonly see terms like fragrance, parfum, or aroma, which don’t indicate whether the scent is natural or synthetic.
Even the natural flavors we use in Pure Anada products are proprietary. Under Health Canada guidelines, we list them as “aroma” and specify in parentheses that they are natural flavors.
We source natural flavors from reputable suppliers, and although they cost more than synthetic fragrances, we view it as an important investment in safety and quality. As formulator, I review the proprietary ingredient lists for each flavor under non-disclosure agreements to ensure they are genuinely derived from natural compounds.
Final Thoughts
At Pure Anada, our goal is to provide beautiful, safe, and fun products without compromising on health. By choosing natural flavors and fragrances over synthetic options, we offer delightful scents that are gentle on your skin and the environment, while avoiding chemicals that can have long-term effects. This is who we are - and who we always will be.
For those who enjoy fun, fruity, and vibrant scents, our Tiber River sister-brand provides a “better” synthetic fragrance option that is phthalate-free, giving you the joy of playful aromas without the risks associated with traditional synthetic fragrances.
Shop all Pure Anada natural scented bodycare HERE.
Shop all Tiber River products HERE.
