Can Teachers Wear Perfume?
Wearing perfume as a teacher makes sense. Schools are social environments with a lot of human interaction, so carrying a nice scent can be desirable. However, in recent years there have been some attempts of introducing “Fragrance-Free School” policies in the U.S, so you might find yourself wondering whether teachers can wear perfume.
There’s no single answer, but in general, teachers can wear perfume to work, because there aren’t any laws or educational policies that prohibit it. However, some schools might have individual policies prohibiting teachers from wearing perfume to work. It’s because certain ingredients in perfume can trigger allergies in students.
If you’re a teacher and are interested in knowing more about wearing perfume to work, we recommend you read this article. We will cover everything from examples of schools having scent-free policies, to examining the pros and cons of wearing perfume as a teacher and finally give you some perfume recommendations if you’ve decided to wear one.
In this article..
Are Teachers Allowed to Wear Perfume?
As we’ve covered, there are no official restrictions that are stopping teachers from wearing perfume to work. However, it all depends on the school you work at, and some schools have decided on “scent-free” or “fragrance-free” policies, that prohibit everyone from wearing perfume at school.
For example, Park West School (PWS) in Halifax, Canada, is proudly scent-free. Their argument for such a policy is that there are over 4000 chemicals used in modern fragrances, 95% of which are made from petroleum. They can cause adverse effects such as irritation, migraine, and even asthma attacks on students and school staff.
So if you’re a teacher thinking of wearing perfume to work, always consult with your management if it’s allowed. You definitely don’t want to risk your job just to smell nice! That being said, let’s investigate the pros and cons of wearing perfume and see if you should do it even if it’s allowed in the school that you work at.
Pros and Cons of Teachers Wearing Perfume
There are advantages and disadvantages to wearing perfume as a teacher. If you’re into the entire essential-oil thingy, you might argue that some can boost concentration and have calming effects, which are useful for both, you and your students.
Even if you’re not buying the benefits of essential oils, wearing perfume can boost your confidence and just make you feel better, which will translate into better teaching.
On the other hand, many ingredients in perfumes can evoke adverse reactions that can disrupt your classroom or even worse, harm the well-being of your students. For some sensitive students, even a light fragrance can cause headaches or nausea and stop them from achieving the best academic results.
As a result, you should really think through if it’s worth wearing perfume. If you do decide to wear fragrances, be aware of potential risks and choose an inoffensive and light scent that isn’t likely to cause harm to those around you.
Recommended Perfumes for Teachers
There are thousands of perfumes you can choose from, but as a teacher, you should pick the least offensive scents. Here are 2 scents for women, and 1 scent for men that we recommend if you’re a teacher:
As we established, teachers should pick perfumes that are light and not offensive. Pure Poison by Christian Dior matches this requirement but still offers its own unique personality.
Dior itself describes it as “A seductive, irresistible floral fragrance for sophisticated women.”, and while we hope that you’re not planning to double down on the seductive part, we still recommend this fragrance due to its great profile of scent.
It features top notes of jasmine, orange, bergamot, and Sicilian mandarin that are accompanied by middle notes of gardenia and orange blossom grounded in base notes of sandalwood, white amber, cedar, and white musk.
You can buy a 30ml (1 Fl. Oz.) for around $70.
This fragrance by The House of Fragonard is comparable to the high-end stuff but costs just a fraction of what you’d pay for a luxury perfume.
When wearing this perfume, you’ll give off base notes of musk, that are enhanced by middle notes of jasmine and honey, just to be topped by top notes of bergamot, mandarin, and orange.
You can get a 100ml (3.3 Fl. Oz.) bottle for just around $57, which is great if you’re unsure how your students are going to react to you wearing perfume to work.
We cannot forget our male teachers, and that’s why we recommend this eau de toilette which offers a balanced woody scent with base notes of oak and sandalwood that are enriched by middle and top notes of lemon, orange, violet, cinnamon, and rose.
Such notes give this perfume a little bit of character which can go a long way in the classroom, making you smell nice and commanding respect from mischievous students.
You can buy a 235 ml (8 Fl. Oz) bottle for just $20, making it one of the most cost-effective fragrances you can buy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
(Q): Can Students Wear Perfume?
(A): In general, students can also wear perfume and fragrances to school. However, it depends on the school, and some have “scent-free” policies, that prohibit teachers and students from wearing perfume.
(Q): What Are the Best Practices for Wearing Perfume as a Teacher?
(A): First and foremost, use inoffensive perfume that is light and isn’t likely to evoke an adverse reaction in those around you. Second, make sure to use the least amount possible. A single spray is often more than enough to smell good.
Final Words
As you could see, the answer to “can teachers wear perfume?” is more complex than it might seem at the first glance. While in general teachers can wear perfume to work, some schools prohibit it, and even if your school doesn’t, you should still think about whether it’s worth the risk of negatively impacting your students.
