Why I Ask You Not to Wear Perfume to Pilates Class
If you’ve attended one of my Pilates classes, you’ll know there’s one small request I make:
Please don’t wear perfume, aftershave or heavily fragranced products to class.
It’s never about being difficult or controlling. It’s about creating a space where everyone can breathe easily, feel comfortable and focus on movement without distraction.
For me personally, strong fragrances can trigger headaches, nausea and overwhelm my nervous system. Many people experience similar sensitivities, particularly those dealing with migraines, hormonal changes, allergies, asthma, Long COVID, M.E., chemical sensitivities or autoimmune conditions.
Pilates is designed to help us reconnect with our bodies, calm our nervous systems and breathe deeply. Strong synthetic fragrances can make that difficult for some people.
I Used to Love Perfume…
In my teens and twenties, I had quite a collection of perfumes. I genuinely loved beautiful scents.
Then I started learning more about what was actually inside many conventional fragrance products.
What surprised me most was discovering that “fragrance” on an ingredient label can represent a complex mixture of chemicals that manufacturers aren’t required to fully disclose.
The more I researched endocrine disruptors, hormone-disrupting chemicals and environmental toxins, the more uncomfortable I became with many of the products I’d previously used without question.
Over time, perfumes disappeared from my routine.
Then came the scented candles, air fresheners, fabric conditioners, cleaning products and heavily fragranced toiletries.
My home became a much calmer, cleaner-smelling space—and interestingly, my body seemed to appreciate it too.
Looking back, perhaps I should have listened to my body sooner. As a child I used to run through department store perfume counters because the smell would make me feel sick.
Sometimes our bodies know before our minds catch up.
Research
Back in 2002, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP) tested 32 commonly used personal care and cleaning products from around the country to see how many chemicals they could identify.
The results were pretty shocking! In the BCPP report, "Right to Know: Exposing toxic fragrance chemicals in beauty, personal care and cleaning products," they found the following:
▶️ 338 fragrance chemicals were used in the 25 personal care products tested (but not labeled).
▶️ 75% of the chemicals had been scientifically linked to chronic health effects like cancer, birth defects, respiratory harm, neurotoxicity, or hormone disruption.
▶️ The highest number of chemicals linked to chronic health effects were in shampoos marketed for kids 🤢
▶️ Several products contained chemicals linked to breast cancer, such as benzene and 1,4-dioxane, which have been associated with mammary tumors in laboratory studies
▶️ They also found a number of hormone-disrupting compounds with links to breast cancer such as oxybenzone (chemical sunscreen), propylparaben (preservative), and phthalates (DEHP and DEP).
To read BCPP’s full report⬇️
https://www.bcpp.org/resource/right-to-know-exposing-toxic-fragrance-chemicals-report/
What About Natural Fragrance?
I still enjoy beautiful scents.
The difference is that I now prefer simple, natural options.
One of my favourite alternatives is using a small amount of essential oil diluted in a carrier oil such as jojoba oil.
For daytime, I love:
🍋 Lemon
🌿 Peppermint or mint
These feel uplifting, fresh and energising.
For evenings, my favourites are:
✨ Frankincense
🌸 Ylang Ylang
These create a calming, grounding ritual that helps me wind down.
Remember that essential oils are highly concentrated and should always be diluted appropriately before applying to the skin.
Finding Cleaner Alternatives
If you’re curious about reducing your exposure to synthetic fragrances, there are some fantastic natural deodorant brands available.
My personal recommendations include:
• Wild
• Tropic
• Fussy
• Salt of the Earth
These offer effective alternatives without the heavy synthetic fragrance often found in conventional products.
Another helpful tool is theYuka app, which allows you to scan product barcodes and see ingredient ratings, helping you make more informed choices about what you’re putting on your skin and bringing into your home.
Creating a Considerate Space Together
This isn’t about judgement.
Everyone is on their own journey and we all make different choices.
My request is simply about creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable, supported and able to enjoy their Pilates practice.
A Pilates class is a shared space.
By avoiding strong fragrances, we’re showing consideration for those who may be more sensitive than we realise.
Thank you for helping me create a calm, welcoming environment where everyone can move, breathe and feel their best.
With love,
Tracy 💛
About Serendipity Wellness®
Serendipity Wellness provides Pilates classes, wellness coaching, women’s health support, and holistic wellbeing services across Warwickshire. Founded by Tracy Richardson, the business supports women through movement, mindfulness, midlife wellness, and community connection.
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Tracy Richardson MSc is a movement and wellness specialist with a background in therapy, Pilates, and wellbeing, she combines evidence-based practice with a nurturing, mindful approach. Tracy’s mission is to empower individuals to move with awareness, release tension, and cultivate sustainable health, strength, and inner calm. When she’s not teaching or writing, you’ll often find her walking her dog, practising Pilates, or sipping a calming cup of tea.
