Essential Oils

Depends on doseReviewed September 18, 2026

Essential Oil · Lavender Oil · Lavandula Angustifolia · Bergamot Oil · Peppermint Oil · Citrus Peel Oil · Limonene · Linalool · Geraniol · Citral · Citronellol

Concentrated plant aromatics, used both for scent and for actual activity.

What it does: Scent
Our take: About 80% of our catalog is scented with essential oils and we say so plainly rather than hide behind "fragrance-free." They are not automatically gentler than synthetics, citrus oils are photosensitising, tea tree and lavender are common sensitizers, and the allergens you see at the end of an ingredient list (limonene, linalool, geraniol, citral) are components of the oils, not additives. If you react to plants, buy the fragrance-free option; we stock one in most categories.
What we look for: Under 1% total on the face
Suitable from: Teen, 13+ · Young adult, 20+ · Middle aged, 40+
Skin types: Any skin

watch the stacking

The allergens at the end of an ingredient list (limonene, linalool, geraniol, citral) add up across a routine. Five lightly scented products can total more fragrance exposure than one heavily scented one.

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What we read

IFRA standards; EU allergen disclosure list · reviewed Sep 2026

Every other ingredient, with the same treatment.

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ParabensPhthalatesFormaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservativesPEG compoundsPolysorbatesEthoxylated ingredientsDEA, TEA and MEA compoundsBHA and BHTPetrolatum, mineral oil and paraffinIsothiazolinone preservativesRetinol and retinyl estersHydroquinoneChemical UV filtersTalcCoal tar and synthetic dyesPFAS and fluorinated compoundsTriclosan and triclocarbanAntibacterials and antimicrobials we excludeSynthetic fragranceSynthetic musksSodium lauryl and laureth sulfateEDTA and synthetic chelatorsIndustrial solventsHeavy metalsPlastic microbeads and film-formersAerosol propellantsOther synthetic preservatives we excludeCyclic silicones

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