What's really inside your car air freshener (and why it matters)
- Ben
- 20 hours ago
- 8 min read
Most people give very little thought to what's actually in their car air freshener. It smells good, it hangs there, job done.
But spend any time in an enclosed, warm car breathing in those synthetic fragrances — and the question of what's actually in them starts to matter quite a lot.
The answer, for most conventional car fresheners, isn't reassuring.
When we started developing Kyrra's car fragrance, we did what we always do — pulled the category apart to understand every problem with it, and worked out how to solve them properly. What we found with car fresheners surprised even us.
Here's what you need to know.
What's actually in synthetic car fragrance?
This has to be the biggest single issue. Most car fragrances are made from purely synthetic fragrance chemicals. Bound with some solvents and stabilisers to control their behaviour- and mostly made from petrochemicals.
They might smell good. Some of the more expensive ones might smell even better. The problem is, they often contain lots of things you really don't want to be breathing in. Especially in that small, enclosed, warm space that's your car.
Many car fragrances contain reasonably high quantities of formaldehyde and phthalates- chemicals clinically proven in major studies to be carcinogenic or hormone disrupting.
That slightly sickly feeling you get from breathing in X brand of car freshener you were given after your valet isn't necessarily a coincidence. Some of these chemicals are shown to be headache or nausea-inducing. They can also trigger development of allergies or breathing disorders like asthma- particularly important when you have kids in the car.
Masked by the ingredient description "fragrance", and with no legal requirement to include the actual ingredient list (only specific allergens), you can be breathing in any number of thousands of chemicals. Of course, chemicals used in commercial fragrances are regulated- but that regulation doesn't take into account effects from consistent breathing in enclosed spaces, or binding with other pollutants (such as those found in the air on major roads), which has been shown to happen by multiple studies.
Some fragrance compounds (synthetic or natural) can also cause issues with conception and in early pregnancy.
How can I choose a natural or sustainable car fragrance?
The first thing to look for is whether your car fragrance gives an actual ingredients list. Not "fragrance" (this can mean anything) and not just fragrance notes ("ozone", "sour cherry" etc). These are simply descriptions of what the fragrance is designed to smell like or invoke- not an indication of what the fragrance is made from. Be wary of claims stating "made with natural fragrance" or "made with essential oils" too. This is similar to your soda claiming it's "made with real fruit juice"- a tiny amount of something natural (that you might not be able to smell or taste) is not doing the heavy lifting here- the majority of the ingredients may still be unnamed or undisclosed synthetics. Choose products that state "100% natural fragrance" or "100% pure essential oils"
Even natural plant oils can cause allergies and react with other chemicals, but the likelihood of formation of dangerous chemicals and the VOCs produced have been shown to be much less likely to be toxic than synthetic fragrances.
There are a couple of companies out there making real natural car fragrances, but also a fair few that are trying to claim natural/eco credentials while still using synthetic ingredients
You can also try making your own, using aromatherapy quality pure essential oils added to a piece of card or porous wood. Results can be variable, so you may have to experiment- but for a simple boost of natural scent, this might be something that works well for you.
Kyrra Car Fragrance
As with all our fragrances, our blends are made only with pure steam distilled or cold-pressed essential oils. Preserved with a tiny bit of vegan, plant-derived vitamin E for consistency. No solvents, diffusion aids or hidden chemicals. The diffusion is controlled by the structure of the wood itself, and our carefully designed fragrance blends.
The ingredients are exactly what you see in our scent description on our website- no synthetics or "nature identical" ingredients.
But we go even further than that- because one of the key aspects of using natural fragrances is that they're actually grown by real people. So we take the effort to source the finest ingredients from across the globe, ensure that they are sustainably harvested, and contribute to development of low income communities and their environmental preservation. Plus, many of our oils are independently certified organic.
We also consider the impact of our blends on particular groups of people- so our Astín fragrance is specifically formulated to be safe for conception and pregnancy, and our Heila fragrance is generally well tolerated by dogs.
We even offer Freyr, what we believe to be the only car fragrance on the market made with 100% certified organic ingredients
All of our fragrance ingredients are aromatherapy quality.
Of course, all Kyrra fragrances are assessed by a qualified cosmetic chemist and allergens are listed on our packaging and our website.
Why is car freshener waste a problem?
Over 400 million car air fresheners are sold globally every year — and almost all of them end up in landfill within weeks. That's 15 million in the UK alone. Most are a combination of plastic, synthetic-soaked card, and non-biodegradable materials that will outlast your car by decades.
What do I look for when choosing a sustainable option?
Consider looking at products that aren't simply designed to be thrown away. There are a number of products on the market- one or two companies making replenishable hang-tag-type fragrances. There are also companies making refillable glass bottles, or a range of car diffuser products- some electronic and some passive. When looking at these, check which components have to be discarded each time you replace (are refills still made with disposable plastic?) Is the product likely to break or lose efficacy over time? Can you easily change the scent if you fancy something different? And, will this look good in my car for a long time, or will it start to look scruffy?
Kyrra Car Fresheners
Firstly, we focused on sourcing something really environmentally friendly, yet reproducibly consistent. And, preferably, something that would look good and could be reused over and over
After testing various materials, we settled on our Italian engineered poplar. Triple certified for sustainability (PEFC, FSC and Blaue Engel), the wood is made with sustainably grown poplar trees and laminated with a special solvent-free plant based glue. We then developed a special chemical-free infusion process to maximise scent retention. Not only that, but we made our fragrance available as top-up bottles, so you can top up the fragrance as many times as you like without needing to throw it away.
Custom laser carved and made with 100% renewable energy, they look great in your car too
And what about the string? Every element has been thought of. Our string is made from 100% natural cotton, gently died and manufactured in a British heritage mill that's been making string for over 150 years. We reckon they've got the hang of it by now (pun intended)!
What should I look for in car freshener packaging?
Packaging of most car fresheners is a problem too- those little plastic bags are great at keeping things dry and retaining the fragrance, but the last thing the planet needs right now is more soft plastic waste! Some of the more luxurious fresheners come with nicer packaging- but often with more plastic components and bits that need to be thrown away.
How do I pick a better option?
We all want things to look good, but increasingly we want packaging that's kind to the Earth too. Look for packaging that's plastic-free, and reported as being recyclable or biodegradable. If you're using an electronic diffuser or cartridge-type product, consider the amount of packaging and the manufacturing process. Are refills going to be easy to obtain? What components need to be thrown away each time or aren't recyclable?
Kyrra Packaging
All of our fresheners are packaged in certified compostable plant-based clear bags to maintain freshness, then housed in a recycled cardboard sleeve and slip that can be recycled afterwards. And our 10ml fragrance bottles are recyclable too, with each giving at least 5-6 replenishments depending how much you like to use each time.
Everything is designed with a luxurious, premium feel that looks great as a gift, but has the lowest possible impact on the planet
Frequently Asked Questions
Are car air fresheners bad for your health?
Many conventional car air fresheners contain synthetic fragrance chemicals including phthalates and formaldehyde — compounds linked to hormone disruption, respiratory issues, headaches and nausea. The enclosed, warm environment of a car concentrates these chemicals more than in a typical room, increasing your exposure. Choosing a freshener made exclusively from pure essential oils with a fully disclosed ingredient list significantly reduces these risks.
What ingredients should I avoid in a car air freshener?
Look out for products that list "fragrance" as a single ingredient without further detail — this can legally mask thousands of individual chemicals. Avoid products containing phthalates, formaldehyde, benzene, or propylene glycol. If a product doesn't provide a full ingredient list, treat that as a red flag.
Are natural car air fresheners safer than synthetic ones?
Generally yes, in the ways that matter most. Natural essential oil-based fresheners don't contain phthalates, undisclosed synthetic chemicals, or petroleum-derived compounds. While plant-derived terpenes can react with ozone at high concentrations, the VOCs they produce are considerably less toxic than those from synthetic fragrances — particularly at the low concentrations released by a passive freshener like a wooden hang tag.
Can I use a car air freshener during pregnancy?
Most synthetic car fresheners should be avoided during pregnancy due to their phthalate and formaldehyde content, both of which have been linked to reproductive concerns. If you want fragrance in your car during pregnancy, look for a product specifically formulated with conception and pregnancy safety in mind. Kyrra's Astín fragrance is specifically blended to be safe during pregnancy and for those trying to conceive.
Are car air fresheners safe to use when you have dogs in the car?
Dogs have a significantly more sensitive sense of smell than humans, and many essential oils — particularly tea tree, eucalyptus, and citrus — can be harmful to them. Most synthetic fresheners should also be avoided around dogs. Kyrra's Heila fragrance is specifically formulated to be generally well tolerated by dogs, making it one of very few car fragrances designed with pets in mind.
How long does a natural car air freshener last compared to a synthetic one?
Synthetic fresheners often smell stronger initially because of the high concentration of volatile synthetic compounds — but this fades quickly, typically within 1–3 weeks. Natural essential oil-based fresheners release scent more gently and consistently. Kyrra's wooden car fragrances can be topped up with fragrance drops indefinitely, meaning the tag itself never needs to be thrown away.
What makes a car air freshener sustainable?
Look for plastic-free packaging, biodegradable or compostable materials, sustainably sourced components, and — ideally — a refillable or reusable format rather than single-use. Kyrra's car fragrances use FSC, PEFC and Blaue Engel certified poplar wood, 100% natural cotton string, compostable packaging, and a top-up system that means nothing needs to go to landfill.
What is the best natural car air freshener in the UK?
The best natural car air freshener will use 100% pure essential oils with fully disclosed ingredients, sustainable materials, and a reusable format. Kyrra produces what we believe to be the UK's most thoroughly natural car fragrance — with certified sustainable wood, organic essential oil blends, plastic-free packaging, and a refillable system designed to last indefinitely.
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