Many of the synthetic compounds in perfume are petroleum-based. Benzene derivatives, aldehydes and parabens are just a few of the harmful chemicals lurking in perfumes. Companies are allowed to pass these off in the ingredients under the term ‘fragrances,’ without listing the actual chemicals, because they consider them trade secrets that they don’t want their competitors to know. This allows them to pass off all sorts of chemicals in the perfumes, without the public or authorities being aware of how harmful the ingredients are.