Should You Stop Spraying Perfume on Your Neck?

You Should Know: An Instagram video of a cancer researcher cautioning people against spraying perfume on their necks because of proximity to the thyroid recently went viral, with more than 3 million views. But could a dab or spritz of fragrance on your neck actually be harmful to your health?

Going Deeper: The cancer researcher cited a 2025 review of studies of chemicals in cosmetic products and fragrances. She wrote in the video’s caption that because people often use several cosmetic products every day, frequent exposure has a potential cumulative effect on our hormones and cancer risk. She said the neck is “an area worth thinking about” because it’s close to the thyroid and has thin, vascularized skin, which could speed absorption. But she also wrote that there’s “currently no evidence” that spraying perfume on your neck damages the thyroid.

Takeaway: That’s correct. There is no such evidence. There’s also no solid evidence that perfumes disrupt the endocrine system, harm fertility, or raise cancer risk. The International Fragrance Association sets rules (based on research) of what ingredients manufacturers can safely use.

Bottom Line: It’s far more likely that perfume will irritate your skin or make you sneeze than cause cancer.