Don't Just Pick Any Old Perfume: Safe Ways to Choose and Use Perfume for Teens

Fragrance products have become part of the lifestyle of young people, influenced by social media and their circle of friends. However, selecting an unsuitable product or using it in excess can increase the risk of skin irritation, allergies, and even respiratory tract problems. Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) in Banten, Dr. Arifin Kurniawan Kashmir, SpA., M.Kes., CHt., FISQua, said that parents and teenagers need to be more careful before buying or using perfume. Here are the doctor's guidelines for safely choosing and using perfume for teenagers. ‘Choose products with clear composition and legality. Please check fragrance products via the BPOM website to see if they are safe and have distribution permits,’ Dr. Arifin said in an interview with Kompas.com on Wednesday (20/5/2026). He also reminded teenagers to avoid compounding perfumes, refills, or products without complete labels because their contents are often not known exactly. ‘Always select products with the labels 'Formulated for Babies/Kids', 'Hypoallergenic', and 'Dermatologically Tested',’ explained Dr. Atika. According to him, these labels can be an initial indicator that the product has undergone certain testing to minimise the risk of irritation on sensitive skin. Dr. Atika urged the use of water-based and alcohol-free products, especially for children with sensitive skin. ‘Choose water-based (Water-based) and alcohol-free to avoid drying the child's skin,’ she said. Products with a light formulation are considered safer because they are not too strong and tend to carry minimal irritation risk. Fragrances with simple ingredients are usually more suitable for teenagers whose skin is still developing.