Learn about essential oils and truly natural scents. I highly doubt it's the scents themselves but the toxic artificial chemicals you're reacting to. Many synthetic cosmetics use heavy metals in their ingredient lists and other toxic chemicals. If you wouldn't eat it why are you inhaling it? And remember your skin is absorbs chemicals too, that's how a poltice or medicial salve work, by being absorbed through your skin. If you can absorb medicine in through your skin you can also absorb in toxins.
You can make some very nice scents with some simple essential oils, natural carrier oils and some vinegar or alchohol. Or if you prefer lotions or salves get some beeswax which can both thicken (if you add it to straight up oils and buttters) or act as an emulsifier and allow you to bind oil and water (thus making thinner recipies for lotions). Just learn your herbs.
Avoiding them on other people isn't always possible.
No it's not, People like their beauty products even if it's simple deoderant and soap. I think it's a question of education because not only is it healthier to make your own stuff but it's actually cheaper long term. You can make MANY different things using essential oils and the base oils, not just beauty products but also medicines as well. Once I perfect my skills with lotions and salves I'm going to move on to making soap. Though I might need a bit more equipment for that.
Let me know how you get on. Maybe you can post on it?
Might just start doing that. :-)
Cool:)