The ingredients in air fresheners that make them difficult to remove are typically solvents, such as ethanol or isopropanol. These solvents can dissolve the adhesive on the air freshener and cause it to detach from the surface. The ingredients used in air freshener manufacture can be difficult to remove from hands. Some of the ingredients used include benzene, toluene, and xylene. These chemicals are difficult to remove from hands and can cause skin irritation. These same solvents can also dry out your skin and irritate you.