Facial Oils (Scented)
Description
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November 1, 2022
By Lisa Petrison
One of the things that I like most about facial oils is that many of them contain only natural botanical ingredients rather than synthetic ingredients.
However, some of the natural botanical fragrances used in these oils (especially the essential oils and highly processed botanical derivatives) do have the potential of being irritating to some people’s skin and also may not be appealing to some people in terms of their scents.
I was surprised when I started experimenting to find that my own skin does seem to react badly to some kinds of essential oils (especially rose geranium) and to certain processed botanical extracts (such as limonene or geraniol).
Considering that EWG rates some natural fragrances as fairly problematic, apparently other people have problems with them as well.
On the other hand, many of the oils discussed on this page contain fragrance ingredients that EWG suggests are less problematic and that have been okay for me.
I seem to do well with some kinds of essential oils (such as lavender or frankincense) and with regular herbal/floral extracts (such as those that have not been given chemical names), for instance.
While I tend to think that unscented facial oils are going to be more universally tolerated and perhaps better for most people’s skin, I have enjoyed some of the oils discussed on this page and think that my own skin has done okay with them.
Some natural fragrances serve as preservatives and thus may help face oils to stay fresh for longer rather than going rancid, and so that is an additional benefit for those who can tolerate them.
I also have found that some of the oils discussed on this page have worked very well for me in terms of giving moisture to my hair, even when I haven’t liked them that much for use on my face.
Usually I just mix those oils with a few sprays of a hydration tonic and then let the mixture sit in my hair for a while before shampooing it out.
This has worked better on my very dry and fragile hair than any hair care product that I have tried, and so I will continue to buy some of the less expensive oils discussed here for use on my hair.
I also have found that some of these oils work well for me if I mix them with lotion and then apply them to the skin on my body.
The performance ratings refer to my experiences with the products only on my face and neck though.
TOP PICKS
♣ Living Clean Superstars:
+Annmarie Anti-Aging Facial Oil ($62)
Goop Goopgenes All-In-One Supernutrient Facial Oil ($98)
Mad Hippie Antioxidant Facial Oil ($25)
One Love Organics Botanical E Youth Preservation Serum ($75)
Rituel de Fille Thorn Oil Priming Facial Elixir ($68)
+RMS Beauty Oil ($39)
+RMS Beauty Kakadu Evening Elixir ($39)
♦ Additional Possibilities:
Badger Rose Damascus Face Oil ($17)
Burt’s Bees Truly Glowing Glow Booster ($18)
Cocokind Watermelon Hemp Oil ($18)
Evanhealy Argan Intensive Facial Serum ($35)
Evanhealy Rosehip Treatment Facial Serum ($35)
Honest Organic Beauty Facial Oil ($30)
Jones Road The Oil Stick ($26)
Marie Veronique Rejuvenating Night Oil ($85)
+SkinOwl Lavender Drops ($12)
True Botanicals Renew Pure Radiance Facial Oil ($110)
Upcircle Organic Face Serum with Coffee Oil ($20)
Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum ($195)
♠ Not Yet Rated:
+True Botanicals Calm Pure Radiance Facial Oil ($110)
♥ Lisa’s Personal Choice:
√ Annmarie Anti-Aging Facial Oil ($62)
RMS Beauty Kakadu Evening Elixir ($39)
Notes:
1) Living Clean Superstars – Products with high scores on both Performance Rating (5) as well as Ingredients Rating (4/5). + Clean Pick (Ingredients Rating = 5).
2) Lisa’s Choice – Products that I would purchase for my own personal use. √ Lisa’s Favorite
Annmarie Anti-Aging Facial Oil – $62
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: 
(5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: Vetiver Root Oil, Frankincense Oil, Sweet Myrrh Oil
The Annmarie website states about this product, “Over 13 different seed oils and CO2 extracts to deliver results. This luxurious, herb-infused formula delivers intense moisture to keep dry and mature skin supple and dewy. Antioxidant-rich seed oils—chia, goji berry, and broccoli—firm and tighten, while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Jojoba oil resembles your skin’s natural oil, softening and conditioning mature skin. Your skin vibrates in perfect harmony.”
This is one of my favorite facial oils and I have gone through a couple of small bottles of it so far.
The oil has a scent that I invariably find to be really wonderful and my skin seems to really like it when I use the oil on it.
Although this product does have a quite strong floral-type scent (including quite a lot of jasmine), the ingredient list suggests that these are from extracts rather than essential oils.
I have not found this product to be irritating to my skin at all, but it certainly may not be appropriate for everyone.
A good thing about the product is that it seems to take very little of it to have a big effect on my skin. Just one or two drops mixed into other skincare (such as a hydrosol, serum or moisturizer) seems to make a big difference.
I also have tried diluting this product in other unscented oils (such as Drunk Elephant marula oil or the Annmarie Herbal Facial Oil For Sensitive Skin), and that has worked well for me.
Size: 0.5 oz
Amazon Rating: 4.5 Stars (72 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Essential Oils)
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Product Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Comfrey leaf extract (4). (Also contains Vetiver Root Oil, Sweet Myrrh Oil)
Fragrance Ingredients: Rosa damascena distillate, Amla fruit extract, Calendula flower extract, Comfrey leaf extract, Fennel seed extract, Gingko biloba leaf extract, Gotu kola leaf extract, Horsetail leaf extract, Helichrysum arenarium flower extract, Milk thistle seed extract, Nettle leaf extract, Rhodiola root extract, Rooibos leaf extract, Rosemary extract, Schizandra fruit extract, Butterfly bush, Edelweiss, Aspen bark extract, Red raspberry extract, Tamanu seed oil, Rosemary, Rosehip seed oil, Vetiver root oil, Frankincense gum extract, Sweet myrrh oil, Rosa centifolia flower extract, Jaminum sambac flower extract
All Ingredients: *Aloe vera leaf juice, Serum blend [*Aloe vera leaf juice, Squalane (olive oil derived), Carrageenan extract, non-GMO Xanthan gum (plant derived)], *Rosa damascena distillate, Herb-infused aloe vera juice [*Aloe vera leaf juice, *Amla fruit extract, *Calendula flower extract, *Comfrey leaf extract, *Fennel seed extract, *Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, *Gotu kola leaf extract, *Horsetail leaf extract, *Helichrysum arenarium flower extract, *Milk thistle seed extract, *Nettle leaf extract, *Plantain leaf extract, *Rhodiola root extract, *Rooibos leaf extract, *Rosemary extract, *Schizandra fruit extract], Water, *Glycerin (vegetable derived) extracts [*Sunflower seed, *Butterfly bush, *Edelweiss], Aspen bark extract, *Glycerin (vegetable derived), Water, *Glycerin (vegetable derived) extract [*Red raspberry extract], Sodium ascorbate, Water, *Glycerin (vegetable derived) extract [*Flax seed], *Chia seed oil, *Tamanu seed oil, Tocopherol (non-GMO vitamin E), non-GMO Xanthan gum (plant derived), Sodium hyaluronate, CO2 extracts [*Rosemary, *Rosehip seed oil], Vetiver root oil, *Frankincense gum extract, Sweet myrrh oil, *Rosa centifolia flower extract, Jasminum sambac flower extract. *Organically grown or wildcrafted
Badger Damascus Rose Face Oil – $17
Overall Rating: 
(4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: Very Mild
Processed Fragrance: Lavender Oil, Rose Oil, Roman Chamomile Oil
The description of this product on the Badger website states, “Soothing skincare packed with organic goodness. Moisturize, balance, and restore your skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines with this gentle face oil. Precious plant extracts pair with antioxidant-rich oils like jojoba and baobab, replenishing skin’s essential vitamins to leave it moisturized, smooth, and glowing. With Damascus Rose, a concentrated extract of rose blossoms handpicked at dawn and steam-distilled the very same day, this gentle blend best supports delicate or dry skin.”
This is an affordably priced product containing a variety of organic oils that are generally thought to have skincare benefits, including jojoba, baobab, pomegranate and sea buckthorn.
Some additional botanical extracts and oils – including rosehip, lavender, rose, Roman chamomile and calendula – also are included.
Although this product has a very good ingredient list and gets generally good consumer reviews, I don’t feel that it has been that good for my own face.
While lavender and rose oil seem to be generally okay for me, it could be just that I am a slightly allergic to chamomile (which is a relative of ragweed).
Considering that this product is priced very reasonably, I also am wondering about whether contamination of the ingredients with something problematic might be an issue.
In any case, I also have tried using this oil on my hair and have been really impressed at the results that I have gotten from using it that way.
I therefore think that I may continue buying it to use on my hair, even though it doesn’t seem to be all that good for my face.
Size: 1 oz.
Amazon Rating: 4.7 Stars (708 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Yes
Think Dirty Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Product Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Rosehip fruit extract (3), Rose oil (3). (Also contains Lavender Oil, Roman Chamomile Oil)
Fragrance Ingredients: Pomegranate oil, Lavender oil, Rosehip extract, Rose oil, Roman chamomile oil, calendula extract
All Ingredients: Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Baobab Oil, Organic Pomegranate Oil, Organic Lavender Oil, Organic Rosehip Extract, Organic Sea Buckthorn Extract, Organic Rose Oil, Organic Roman Chamomile Oil & Organic Calendula Extract.
Burt’s Bees Truly Glowing Glow Booster – $18
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: Natural Fragrance, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool
The description of this product on the Burt’s Bees website reads, “Greet each day with a brighter outlook—and a more nourished, glowing complexion—with Glow Booster. When daily dulling elements like makeup, environmental stressors, dirt and more pile up on your skin, its natural brilliance can’t shine through. By powering up your skin with the antioxidant-rich oils in our Glow Booster, you can bring brilliance back to your everyday.”
This is a thin oil with a fairly distinct but reasonably pleasant fragrance. The main ingredients are jojoba oil, coconut alkanes, squalane and castor seed oil.
Although this oil did not seem to exactly irritate my facial skin, there are many oils that I like better and would prefer to use on my face.
I’ve gotten some use out of it in my hair, though.
Size: 1 oz.
Ulta Rating: 4.4 Stars (542 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Natural Fragrance)
EWG Product Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Natural fragrance (8), Geraniol (5), Hydroxycitronellal (6), Linalool (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Natural fragrance, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool
All Ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, coconut alkanes, squalane, castor seed oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, safflower seed oil, coco-caprylate/caprate, tocopherol, sunflower seed oil, bakuchiol, fragrance*, geraniol, hydroxycitronellal, linalool. *Natural fragrance
Cocokind Watermelon Hemp Oil – $18
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: Very Mild
Processed Fragrance: Bergamot Oil, Rosemary Oil, Orange Oil, Eucalyptus Oil
The description of this product reads, “This lightweight, 100% organic dry oil offers nourishing moisture anywhere you need it – face, body, hair, or even as a beard oil. Hydrates, nourishes and replenishes skin and hair. Soothes the senses with a delicately scented essential oil blend.”
This is a quite thick oil with a yellowish-green color from the hemp oil. It also includes watermelon seed oil and several essential oils.
I have found the smell of the hemp oil mixed with the citrus/rosemary/eucalyptus of the essential oils to be lovely and so have enjoyed using the product for that reason.
Like many products that contain citrus oils, this one caused some itching on my face after an hour or two of wear.
It does seem to work well on my body and my hair, though.
I think that the idea of using it as a beard oil likely has some merit for those who can tolerate it.
Cocokind Rating: 4.9 Stars (352 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Essential Oils)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Orange oil (5). (Also contains Bergamot oil, Rosemary oil, Eucalyptus oil.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Watermelon seed oil, Cannabis sativa seed oil, Bergamot peel oil, Rosemary flower oil, Orange peel oil, Eucalyptus leaf oil.
All Ingredients: Watermelon seed oil*, cannabis sativa seed oil*, bergamot peel oil*, rosemary flower oil*, orange peel oil*, eucalyptus globulus leaf oil*. *Certified organic
Evanhealy Argan Intensive Facial Serum – $35
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: Very Mild
Processed Fragrance: Frankincense Oil, Hawaiian Sandalwood Oil, Lemongrass Oil
The description of this product on the Evanhealy website states, “Our Argan Intensive Facial Serum’s exceptional regenerative action comes from handcrafted argan oil exclusively produced by the small, self-governed Al Amal Women’s Co-Operative of Morocco. Featuring precious and exotic essential oils of ancient Sandalwood, dawn-blooming Jasmine & Sacred Frankincense. Deeply nourishes and replenishes due to high percentage of tocopherols. Hand-pressed, certified organic argan oil. Rich in tocopherols, squalene and saponins, Argan Intensive Facial Serum works to soften the skin and to minimize the appearance of brown spots, fine lines and wrinkles.”
Although this oil seems to be pretty popular, I don’t feel that the small sample that I purchased seemed to work all that well on my own skin.
It felt rather sticky and seemed to slightly irritate my skin.
The product contains a few essential oils (frankincense, lemongrass and sandalwood), and so perhaps those were irritating to me.
I wouldn’t buy this one again, personally.
Size: 0.5 oz.
Amazon Rating: 4.7 Stars (54 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Essential Oil)
EWG Product Rating: 1 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Lemongrass Oil (3). (Also contains Frankincense Oil, Hawaiian Sandalwood Oil.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Frankincense oil, Jasmine absolute flower extract, Hawaiian sandalwood oil, Lemongrass oil
All Ingredients: Argan Kernel Oil*, Frankincense Oil*, Jasmine Absolute Flower Extract*, Hawaiian Sandalwood Oil*, Lemongrass Oil*. *Organic
Evanhealy Rosehip Treatment Facial Serum – $35
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: Very Mild
Processed Fragrance: Rose Geranium Oil, Hawawiian Sandalwood Oil, Rose Oil, Lavender Oil, Blue Chamomile Oil, Helichrysum Oil
The description of this product on the Evanhealy website reads, “Our Rosehip Treatment Facial Serum is beneficial for all types of skin. It is especially effective when combined with our Facial Tonic Hydrosols, bringing vitality, suppleness to dehydrated, sensitive and mature skin. Known as rosa rubiginosa or rosa mosqueta, this silky oil of the rose hip seed has been used for centuries to treat sun-damaged, scarred or burned skin. Rosehip seed oil is rich in the naturally occurring pro-vitamin A and vitamin C. It has considerable amounts of polyunsaturated essential fatty acids (EFA) containing 80% gamma linolenic acid and linoleic acid. As a result it significantly regenerates and strengthens cell membranes aiding in the prevention of early signs of aging. With daily use, Rosehip Treatment Facial Serum works to fade hyperpigmentation (brown spots), minimize and soften the appearance of scars, and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. It also soothes dry, sunburned and sun-damaged skin. This Serum helps to balance excessively oily or dry skin, minimize the appearance of large pores, and purify impure skin prone to pimples. Used on a consistent basis, your skin will look smoother, fresher and more supple.”
This facial oil is available in two versions, both of which contain rosa canina, jojoba and carrot seed oils.
The Blue version is said to be appropriate for sensitive, reactive, scarred and blemished skin. It contains lavender, blue chamomile, and helichrysum essential oils.
The Rose version is said to be appropriate for dry, oily and combination skin. It contains rose geranium, Hawaiian sandalwood, lavender, and rosa damascena essential oils.
Unfortunately, I don’t much like the smell of rose geranium and believe that I may be slightly allergic to chamomile (which is a relative of ragweed).
I also am not a terribly big fan of rosa canina oil and have my doubts about the appropriateness of these essential oils in skincare products, at least for me.
Probably as a result of all of this, I did not find that I liked either of these oils very much and would not purchase them again.
Size: 0.5 oz.
Amazon Rating (Rose): 4.7 Stars (260 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Essential Oils)
EWG Product Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients (Rose): Rose geranium oil (4), Rosa canina fruit oil (3), Rose otto (3)
Fragrance Ingredients (Rose): Rosa canina fruit oil, Rose geranium oil, Hawaiian sandalwood oil, Lavender flower oil, Rosa damascena flower oil
All Ingredients (Rose): Rosa Canina Fruit Oil*, Jojoba Seed Oil*, Rose Geranium Oil*, Carrot Seed Essential Oil*, Hawaiian Sandalwood Wood Oil*, Lavender Flower Oil*, Rosa damascena Flower Oil*, Tocopherol. *Organic
EWG Problem Ingredients (Blue): Rosa canina fruit oil (3)
Fragrance Ingredients (Blue): Rosa canina fruit oil, Lavender flower oil, Blue chamomile flower oil, Carrot seed essential oil, Helichrysum Italicum flower oil
All Ingredients (Blue): Rosa Canina Fruit Oil*, Jojoba Seed Oil*, Lavender Flower Oil*, Blue Chamomile Flower Oil*, Carrot Seed Essential Oil*, Helichrysum Italicum Flower Oil*, Tocopherol. *Organic
Goop Goopgenes All-In-One Super Nutrient Face Oil – $98
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: Bitter Orange Flower Oil, Bitter Orange Leaf/Twig Oil, Bergamot Oil, Orange Oil, Mandarin Orange Oil, Clary Oil, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
The description of this product on the Goop website reads, “This luxurious active botanical face oil gives results that will blow you away. It’s clinically proven to help diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles, improve skin firmness, smooth skin texture, and increase glow, as well as soften, nourish, and moisturize. Made with nine powerful nutrient-dense oils (including the retinol alternative bakuchiol, vitamin-A-rich cacay, and organic amla, a vitamin C superfood), it’s a restorative daily treatment with real results. Smooth two to four drops evenly over your face morning and night. You can also use it on your neck and décolletage (we also love a little on the backs of our hands).”
This face oil contains a large number of botanicals and has an unusual smell that feels vaguely reminiscent of eating curry in an Indian restaurant.
While this is not the scent that I would choose for my skincare, my skin does seem to really like this oil and to do well with it.
The product contains a number of fairly unusual oils, with caryodendron orinocense (the fruit of an evergreen tree from South America) as the first ingredient. I do really like the texture of it.
While I don’t know how much this product has helped with my wrinkles, it does at least seem to make my skin feel softer and more radiant when I am using it.
I generally use this product only at night and feel that it sinks into my skin quickly without leaving much of an oily residue.
Although it contains several citrus essential oils, I have not found it to irritate my skin at all. Especially since it does not smell to me at all like citrus, I’m wondering if the amounts used are very small.
It’s an expensive product, but even a small bottle seems likely to last for a very long time considering how little of the product is used per day. I have just a trial-size bottle and have hardly made a dent in it despite a good bit of use.
I conceivably might consider buying it again, eventually.
Size: 1 oz.
Sephora Rating: 3.5 Stars (34 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Essential Oils, Natural Fragrance)
EWG Product Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Rosa canina oil (3), Orange oil (5), Lemon peel extract (5), Mandarin orange oil (5), Citral (5), Citronellol (4), Geraniol (5), Limonene (5), Linalool (3),
Fragrance Ingredients: Caryodendron Orinocense Seed Oil, Amla Fruit Extract, Oenocarpus Bataua Fruit Oil, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Bakuchiol, Bitter Orange Flower Oil, Bitter Orange Leaf/Twig Oil, Bergamot Fruit Oil, Orange Oil, Lemon Peel Extract, Mandarin Orange Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Clary Oil, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool.
All Ingredients: Caryodendron Orinocense Seed Oil, Amla Fruit Extract, Evening Primrose Oil, Oenocarpus Bataua Fruit Oil, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Squalane, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Rice Bran Extract, Bakuchiol, Bitter Orange Flower Oil, Bitter Orange Leaf/Twig Oil, Bergamot Fruit Oil, Orange Oil, Lemon Peel Extract, Mandarin Orange Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Clary Oil, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Sunflower Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool.
Honest Organic Beauty Facial Oil – $30
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: Very Mild
Processed Fragrance: Lavender Oil, Rose Geranium Oil, Patchouli Oil, Lemon Peel Oil, Bergamot Oil, Ylang Ylang Oil, Rose Geranium Oil, Clove Bud Oil, Basil Oil, Cinnamon Leaf Oil, Rose Oil, Citral, Citronellol, Eugenol, Limonene, Linalool
The description of this product reads, “This multitasking facial oil nourishes and replenishes moisture-depleted skin with a glow-enhancing blend of organic oils. Avocado Oil + Apricot Oil + Jojoba Oil: glow, dewy skin. Blend of 8 fruit and seed oils: designed to nourish + beautify. Naturally scented with Rose, Ylang Ylang, and Clove Oils.”
This is a moderately priced face oil containing mostly certified organic ingredients.
It consists mostly of commonly used organic oils – including olive, sunflower, apricot kernel, jojoba, avocado and chia – that I consider to be of reasonable quality for moisturizer but not necessarily luxury grade.
The product also contains a variety of essential oils, including lavender, rose geranium, patchouli, lemon peel, bergamot, ylang ylang, cinnamon, basil, clove and rose.
Some additional natural fragrance extracts (including citral, citronellol, eugenol, limonene, and linalool) also are included.
My guess with regard to the benzyl benzoate and benzyl salicylate is that they are components of the essential oils, but I am not sure of that.
Although the oil does have a scent, it is on the mild side and – in my opinion – rather pleasant.
Considering how many different essential oils and fragrance ingredients are listed, my skin seems to have done reasonably well with the product, with just a little bit of irritation.
I’ve ended up using this oil in my hair and think it has been okay for that (though not nearly as good as the face oils containing high percentages of argan oil or jojoba oil).
I think that for people who want a reasonably priced scented face oil and who do not have skin that is as sensitive as mine, this could be a fairly good choice.
Size: 1 oz.
Ulta Rating: 4.4 Stars (32 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: No (Benzyl Salicylate, Essential Oils, Natural Fragrance, Benzyl Benzoate)
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Product Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Lemon peel oil (6), Ylang ylang oil (5), Rose geranium oil (4), Clove bud oil (4), Cinnamon leaf oil (3), Rosa damascena flower oil (3), Benzyl benzoate (5), Benzyl salicylate (5), Citral (5), Citronellol (4), Eugenol (5), Limonene (5), Linalool (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Calendula officinalis flower extract, Lavender oil, Lavandula hybrida oil, Rose geranium oil, Patchouli oil, Lemon peel oil, Bergamot fruit oil, Ylang ylang flower oil, Cinnamomum zeylanicium leaf oil, Basil oil, Clove bud oil, Rosa damascena flower oil, Citral, Citronellol, Eugenol, Limonene, Linalool
All Ingredients: Olive Fruit Oil*, Sunflower Seed Oil*, Apricot Kernel Oil*, Jojoba Seed Oil*, Avocado Oil*, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Oil*, Chia Seed Oil*, Tamanu Seed Oil*, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*, Lavender Oil*, Lavandula Hybrida Oil*, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil*, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil*, Lemon Peel Oil*, Bergamot Fruit Oil*, Ylang Ylang Flower Oil*, Cinnamomum Zeylanicium Leaf Oil*, Basil Oil*, Clove Bud Oil*, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil*, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citral, Citronellol, Eugenol, Limonene, Linalool. *Certified Organic Ingredient
Jones Road The Oil Stick – $26
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: Limonene, Citral, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol
The description of this product reads, “A multipurpose face oil in portable form, The Oil Stick is the shortcut to instantly supple skin. Glides on to moisturize with coconut alkanes and a quartet of high-performance oils; apricot, jojoba, rosehip and sunflower. Use as a spot treatment or all over.”
This highly processed moisturizer from Jones Road is dispensed in stick form and seems designed largely for people to be able to get some easily absorbed moisture when on the go.
The product consists primarily of synthetic fatty alcohols and synthetic gelling agents, along with some highly processed ingredients originally derived from coconut oil. Small amounts of apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil, rosehip oil and sunflower oil also are included.
All of the synthetic moisturizers and gelling agents in the formula seem to be accepted as being okay by a variety of sources. EWG does not express concern about them and Credo sells the Oil Stick on its website.
EWG does express some concerns about the phenoxyethanol (a synthetic preservative) and some of the other naturally derived processed ingredients (used primarily as preservatives and for their scent).
The product seems to have a very high viscosity, meaning that it feels very thin/slippery and absorbs pretty readily into the skin.
Although I haven’t felt that inclined to use this product very often, it hasn’t noticeably irritated my skin.
In addition, although the product does have a slight citrusy-floral scent, I have found the smell to be much milder than I would have expected based on looking at the ingredient list.
Size: 0.53 oz.
Credo Rating: 4.4 Stars (60 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Unclear
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Natural Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol)
EWG Product Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Orange Extract (5), Limonene (5), Citral (5), Geraniol (5), Citronellol (4), Phenoxyethanol (4), Rosa canina fruit oil (3), Linalool (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Rosa canina fruit oil, Orange extract, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol
All Ingredients: C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hexyldecanol, Coconut Alkanes, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Sunflower Seed Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Orange Extract, Hedione, Dipropylene Glycol, Silica Silylate, Limonene, Citral, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol, Phenoxyethanol
Mad Hippie Antioxidant Facial Oil – $25
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: Orange Oil
The description of this product reads, “Our preservative-free antioxidant oil is truly the most natural way to moisturize. Our Antioxidant Facial Oil is formulated to work for all skin types, including oily skin, as we use non-comedogenic oils in the formula. We love mixing 2-3 drops with a dime-sized amount of Vitamin C Serum and massaging into skin in one simple step.”
I think that the ingredients in this fairly affordable oil all look pretty good to me, which is consistent with the fact that my facial skin seems to have responded well to my use of it.
Although the product does mention orange oil (which can be irritating), it is at the bottom of the ingredient list and does not seem to have caused any problems for me.
The oil has a mild fruity scent that I find appealing.
My skin seems to have liked this oil and done well with it.
Although I don’t feel that this oil has the therapeutic qualities of (say) my Birkenstock or Annmarie oils, it does seem to provide some high-quality moisture to my skin.
If I were on a limited budget with regard to skincare products, I would seriously consider buying this one again.
Size: 1 oz
Ulta Rating: 4.6 Stars (158 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Orange Oil)
EWG Product Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Orange oil (5)
Fragrance Ingredients: Cranberry fruit extract, Pomegranate fruit extract, Blueberry extract, Strawberry fruit extract, Kiwi extract, Watermelon fruit extract, Grape seed extract, Raspberry seed extract, Camu camu fruit extract, Acai fruit extract, Goji extract, Hemp seed extract, Broccoli extract, Sweet orange oil
All Ingredients: Organic Argan Oil, Pomegranate Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Cranberry Fruit Extract, Pomegranate Extract, Blueberry Extract, Strawberry Fruit Extract, Kiwi Extract, Watermelon Fruit Extract, Grape Seed Extract, Raspberry Seed Extract, Camu Camu Fruit Extract, Acai Fruit Extract, Goji Extract, Sea Buckthorn Berry Extract, Hemp Seed Extract, Broccoli Extract, Sweet Orange Oil, Tocopherol
Marie Veronique Rejuvenating Night Oil – $85
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: Very Mild
Processed Fragrance: Rose Geranium Oil, Lavender Oil, Neroli Oil, Rose Oil, Helichrysum Oil
The description of this product reads, “Marie Veronique Rejuvenating Night Oil contains a rich blend of omega 3 + 6 EFAs that are excellent for repairing and replenishing barrier function to dehydrated skin. Blackberry seed oil is high in natural Vitamin C as well as several types of Vitamin E and lutein making it an excellent ingredient for repairing damaged skin. This non-toxic facial oil increases epidermal health, overall elasticity and barrier integrity by regulating cell turnover rate, and reduces moisture loss which contributes to dry, aging skin.”
This product contains a variety of high-quality oils, including jojoba, grapeseed, apricot kernel, meadowfoam, argan kernel, borage seed, rosa canina, marula, evening primrose, black raspberry, blackberry, cranberry, kiwi, sea buckthorn, carrot seed, and marine algae.
In addition, the product contains several essential oils, including rose geranium, lavender, neroli, rose, and helichrysum.
Although I feel like this is a very high-quality oil with the potential of being beneficial for my skin, I am not able to use it on my face due to the essential oils (probably especially the rose geranium) being mildly irritating.
I finally decided to use this oil just on my hands and neck, which has worked out a little better.
Still, I suspect that eventually I am going to end up using it in my hair or giving it to a friend, just so that it doesn’t totally go to waste.
While Marie Veronique does offer a couple of unscented facial oils that I do like without reservation, I wish they would make an unscented version of this one since it is more reasonably priced and appropriate for a variety of skin types.
Size: 1 oz.
Credo Rating: 4.9 Stars (46 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Essential Oils)
EWG Product Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Rosa canina oil (3), Rose geranium essential oil (4), Neroli oil (4), Rosa damascena oil (3). (Also includes Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Helichrysum Italicum Flower Oil, Carrot Seed Oil.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Rosa canina/rubiginosa seed oil, Blackberry seed oil, Black raspberry seed oil, Cranberry seed oil, Kiwi seed oil, Elderberry extract, Rose geranium oil, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Neroli oil, Rosa damascena oil, Helichrysum Italicum flower oil, Rosemary oleoresin, Tomato fruit/leaf stem extract, Carrot seed oil.
All Ingredients: Jojoba Seed Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Argan Kernel Oil, Borage Seed Oil, Rosa Canina/Rubiginosa Seed Oil, Marula Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Blackberry Seed Oil, Mixed Tocopherols, Black Raspberry Seed Oil, Cranberry Seed Oil, Kiwi Seed Oil, Elderberry Extract, Rose Geranium Oil*, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Tamanu Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil*, Neroli Oil*, Soy Lecithin, Rosa Damascena Oil*, Helichrysum Italicum Flower Oil*, Rosemary Oleoresin, Tomato Fruit/Leaf Stem Extract, Carrot Seed Oil*, Marine Algae Oil.
One Love Organics Botanical E Youth Preservation Serum – $75
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
The description of this product reads, “One Love Organics Botanical E Youth Preservation Serum is a powerful plant based, non-phototoxic serum with a potent blend of Vitamin E rich botanicals including antioxidant rich sea botanicals to help preserve skin and aid in reducing the appearance of fine lines. Featuring powerhouse ingredient Botanical E, an antioxidant with nourishing and rejuvenating properties, this natural serum works to help deliver the appearance of youthful, healthy, glowing skin. This non-phototoxic serum will not cause sun damage when exposed to sunlight, so you can wear in the AM/PM without fear.”
This product contains a number of oils, including green tea, sunflower seed, meadowfoam, and watermelon seed.
Although no essential oils are listed, it does include quite a few “extracts,” including some from citrus fruits.
Extracts are not as strong as essential oils but apparently can still be irritating.
I purchased the small size of this product, which comes in a roller ball container.
I realized after trying it that I would much prefer a dropper since usually I mix my face oils with other products before putting them on my face.
However, I have not had any problems with this oil and think that it has been nice on my skin.
The high amount of sunflower seed oil (listed as the second ingredient) does concern me a bit since I fear that could go rancid, but perhaps the botanical extracts in the product will protect it to some extent.
I’ve had the product for about six months and so far it is feeling okay to me.
Size: 1 oz.
Credo Rating: 4.8 Stars (45 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Natural Fragrance)
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Lemon peel extract (5), Grapefruit peel extract (4), Rose extract (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Apple fruit extract, Lemon peel extract, Orange peel extract, Grapefruit peel extract, Cananga odorata flower extract, Cucumber fruit extract, Sandalwood extract, Rose extract, Melon fruit extract, Raspberry fruit extract, Elettaria cardamomum seed extract
All Ingredients: Green tea seed oil*, sunflower seed oil*, meadowfoam seed oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, watermelon seed oil, opuntia ficus indica leaf cell extract, crambe maritima leaf extract, haematococcus pluvialis extract, tocopherol, ascorbyl palmitate, apple fruit extract, lemon peel extract, orange peel extract, grapefruit peel extract, cananga odorata flower extract, cucumber fruit extract, sandalwood extract, rose extract, melon fruit extract, raspberry fruit extract, elettaria cardamomum seed extract. *Organic
Rituel de Fille Thorn Oil Priming Facial Elixir – $68
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: Rose Oil
The description of this product reads, “This extraordinary vegan facial oil appears in the bottle as a blood red, in the dropper as a soft blush, and on the skin as entirely colorless. Thorn Oil is absolutely beautiful on its own, but its interplay with the skin is even more extraordinary. We have formulated this face priming oil from opulent, skin-loving ingredients to impart moisture and glow without leaving shine after absorption. As a makeup priming oil, it creates the perfect base for full-face application of any of our products. On makeup-free days, it draws out a lit-from-within radiance and beautifully healthy finish from your skin unlike anything else; the effect is plumped, luminous—almost like you’re wearing the most perfect subtle highlighter for your complexion after a long, restful night of sleep. Named for the thorns of a rose, Thorn Oil Priming Facial Elixir is blended from two parts of the plant—the blossom and the fruit—along with carefully selected, perfectly balanced, luxuriant organic ingredients.”
This face oil is fairly thick and reddish in color, with a distinct rose scent.
The main ingredients are marula oil, rosa canina fruit oil, jojoba oil, and caprylic/capric triglyceride (typically derived from coconuts).
I feel that (apart from the scent and the added color) this product is fairly similar to the Drunk Elephant marula oil, except that this one quickly dries down to a finish that feels to me slightly waxy rather than slightly oily.
I suppose that this is due to the addition of the acacia gum and maybe some of the other added ingredients.
I do like this product and can see that it could be a good base for oil-based cosmetics, such as Rituel de Fille’s new foundation serum as well as their concealers, blushes and highlighters.
A couple of the ingredients in the formula – including the rose oil and the citric acid – seem to be used as preservatives and may be problematic for some sensitive people.
In response to my query about the citric acid, a representative for the company wrote to me the following: “The citric acid in our Thorn Oil formula is a stabilizer for red radish root and purple sweet potato extracts, accounting for about 4% of those specific ingredients. Our supplier has shared with us that this citric acid is made from the fermentation of corn. However, this citric acid is manufactured neither from nor by GMOs and has a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of GMs.”
Although I do find the rose scent of this product to be unexpectedly strong, my skin seems to do fine with it.
I think that this has worked well for me under foundation (especially oil-based ones) as well as on its own.
Size: 1 oz.
Rituel de Fille Rating: 4.8 Stars (70 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Yes
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Rosa canina fruit oil (3), Rosa damascena essential oil (3), Acacia senegal gum (3). (Also contains Citric acid.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Rosa Damascena Essential Oil
All Ingredients: Marula Oil*, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil*, Jojoba Seed Oil*, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Rosemary Leaf Extract*, Sunflower Seed Oil*, Rosa Damascena Essential Oil*, Radish Root Extract, Purple Sweet Potato Root Extract, Citric Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Maltodextrin. *Certified Organic
RMS Beauty Oil – $39
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
The description of this product on the RMS website reads, “With this light-but-super-concentrated blend of organic jojoba, rosehip and wildcrafted buriti oils and rare herbal extracts, skin has rich antioxidant protection, all day hydration and glowing radiance. Balances and protects skin, improves texture, preps for makeup, and delivers rich, radiant hydration.”
This facial oil from RMS contains only quality organic or wildcrafted oils (including jojoba, rose hips, buriti and tamanu seed) and an ayurevedic blend of herbs that are thought to have skincare benefits.
It also contains a good bit of organic vanilla extract, which is apparently used to try to soften the smell of the herbs being used.
Nonetheless, virtually all of the criticisms of the product in user reviews seem to be related just to the smell of the product.
I think that the turmeric (which I don’t really like that much even in food) makes it smell a little like curry, but with the country sarsaparilla root and vanilla giving it a sweeter scent as well.
I am usually not all that sensitive to natural scents, but I will say that this product does smell rather unusual and that this has tended to put me off from reaching for it.
However, when I have made an effort to use the product on a regular basis for a while, the smell has started to annoy me less and my skin has started to look especially nice as a result of it.
Upon reflection, I think that this oil does work quite well considering the comparably moderate price point and that the lack of essential oils or other potentially irritating ingredients is an additional benefit.
It may be worth considering for some people, therefore.
Size: 0.5 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.3 Stars (83 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Yes
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Product Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Licorice root extract (4), Rosa canina oil (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Rosa canina seed oil, Vanilla fruit extract, Tamanu seed oil, Marigold flower extract, Horsetail leaf extract, St. John’s wort flower extract, Turmeric root extract, Country sarasparilla root powder, Ashwagandha root extract
All Ingredients: *Jojoba Seed Oil, *Rosa Canina Seed Oil, **Buriti Fruit Oil, Tocopherol (non-GMO), *Vanilla Fruit Extract, *Tamanu Seed Oil, *Marigold Flower Extract, *Horsetail Leaf Extract, *St. John’s Wort Flower Extract, *Turmeric Root Extract, *Country Sarsaparilla Root Powder, *Ashwagandha Root Extract, *Licorice Root Extract, *Olive Leaf Extract. *Certified organic **Wildcrafted
RMS Kakadu Evening Elixir – $39
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
The RMS website says about this product, “Beauty sleep in a bottle. This potent blend of exquisite oils and supercharged botanicals feeds skin overnight, so you’ll wake up fresh-faced and glowing. Powered by kakadu super fruit to help brighten and reduce the appearance of fine lines while CoQ10 and our adaptogenic blend energize, protect and soothe. Each drop of this rejuvenating elixir is bursting with antioxidants and vitamins, formulated to brighten and restore, and give your skin everything it needs to wake up its most beautiful.”
This product is a slightly different color than the regular RMS Beauty Oil but seems fairly similar to it in other respects.
It contains substantial amounts of kakadu plum oil as well as jojoba, buriti and tamanu seed oils.
Although this product contains the same aryurvedic herbs as the other RMS oil, the smell does not seem to be quite as strong and the vanilla has been omitted.
While both of the RMS oils seem to be good for my skin, I feel like I have a small overall preference for this one (which makes sense considering how much I like plum oil on its own).
As with the Goop oil, it’s been a little hard for me to get past curry-like smell of the RMS products no matter how beneficial they may be.
Still, when I bit the bullet and started using this face oil on a nightly basis, the smell started to bother me less and I was impressed with how my skin started to look.
I might even buy it again, eventually.
Size: 0.5 oz.
Credo Rating: 4.8 Stars (25 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Yes
EWG Ingredient Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Licorice root (4)
Fragrance Ingredients: Kakadu plum seed oil, Tamanu seed oil, Marigold flower extract, St. John’s wort flower extract, Horsetail leaf extract, Country sarsparilla root powder, Turmeric root extract, Ashwagandha root extract
All Ingredients: *Jojoba Seed Oil, Kakadu Plum Seed Oil, **Buriti Fruit Oil, Tocopherol (non-GMO), *Tamanu Seed Oil, Ubiquinone, *Marigold Flower Extract, *St. John’s Wort Flower Extract, *Horsetail Leaf Extract, *Country Sarsaparilla Root Powder, *Turmeric Root Extract, *Ashwagandha Root Extract, *Licorice Root Extract, *Olive Leaf Extract. *Certified Organic **Wildcrafted
SkinOwl Lavender Drops – $12
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: Lavender Essential Oil
The description of this product reads, “The best-selling Lavender Drops are our go-to for when skin is inflamed, red, or oily. The perfect remedy for oily, sensitive skin to combat inflammation, acne, and redness. Skin is left looking calm, clear and healed over minimal time. Can be used morning night, in place of a serum & moisturizer.”
I received a half-ounce bottle of this oil as a Credo gift with purchase and so gave it at try.
It contains only argan oil and lavender essential oil.
My skin usually does okay with lavender essential oil and did not seem to be bothered by this oil.
Based on the information from the company, this product seems to be designed for skin types other than my own, and I agree that other oils have been better for me.
I have heard that argan is an ideal oil for use in the hair and (though it seems a bit wasteful considering the high product quality) this is how I have been using this product. It has worked really well for that, too.
Although the half-ounce bottle is labeled as a “sample,” it would last quite a while for me if I were going to be using it just on my face.
All in all, I do think that this is a good product that may work well for those who have skin that is suited to it (or who just really like the smell of lavender).
Size: 0.5 oz.
Credo Rating: 4.5 Stars (6 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Yes
EWG Ingredient Rating: 1 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: None
Fragrance Ingredients: Lavender Essential Oil
All Ingredients: Raw/Organic/Unrefined Argania Spinosa Extract, Organic Lavender Oil
True Botanicals Calm Pure Radiance Face Oil – $110
Performance Rating: Not Yet Rated
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Ginger Root Oil, Neroli Bark Oil, Neroli Oil, Rosemary Leaf Oil
The description of this product on the True Botanicals website reads, “This ultimate powerhouse for sensitive skin features 27 plant-actives and one of the most potent Calendula oils curated from a nutrient-dense, regenerative farm to help soothe and comfort skin. This moisturizing oil is packed with nutrient rich oils like cold-pressed cucumber seed oil, organic hemp and jojoba seed oils and fresh ginger root oil – all among the highest quality sources of antioxidants, ceramides and fatty acids to help calm redness and sensitized skin.”
This product is sold an option to True Botanicals’ other facial oils (including the Renew one discussed below) and seems to be promoted mostly as one for women to feel okay about using during pregnancy.
I would like to try this oil since my own skin has been a little annoyed from the ingredients in the Renew oil.
However, I have not found any way for me to try this oil without buying a regular-size bottle, which I am a little reluctant to do since so far I haven’t found any products from this brand that have made me really excited.
Maybe eventually I will get around to trying it, though.
Size: 1 oz.
True Botanicals Rating: 4.0 Stars (350 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Essential Oils)
EWG Product Rating: EWG Verified
EWG Ingredient Rating: 1 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: None. (Includes Ginger Root Oil, Neroli Bark Oil, Neroli Oil, Rosemary Leaf Oil)
Fragrance Ingredients: Ginger root oil, Neroli bark oil, Neroli oil, Rosemary leaf oil
All Ingredients: Safflower seed oil*, jojoba seed oil*, hemp seed oil*, pumpkin seed oil*, argan kernel oil*, grape seed oil*, borage seed oil*, avocado seed oil*, crambe abyssinica seed oil, sunflower seed oil*, chia seed oil*, sesame seed oil*, calendula officinalis flower*, cucumber seed oil*, buriti fruit oil*, raspberry seed oil*, cranberry seed oil*, ginger root oil*, squalane, watermelon seed oil*, pomegranate seed oil*, neroli bark oil*, blueberry seed oil, neroli oil, rosemary leaf oil*, algae powder*, tocopherol. *Organic ingredients
True Botanicals Renew Pure Radiance Face Oil – $110
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: Very Mild
Processed Fragrance: Frankincense Oil, Vetiver Root Oil, Rose Oil, Jasmine Oil, Fir Oil, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Farnesol, Eugenol, Limonene
This information about this product on the True Botanicals website reads, “Our award-winning, best-selling face oil for good reason. This moisturizing oil is so rich in ceramides, fatty acids and antioxidants, it’s clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and increase hydration levels. It even outperformed a leading anti-aging moisturizer. A revolutionary blend of Omega 3 fatty acids, 14 easily absorbable seed oils, algae extract and astaxanthin helps to deliver more hydrated, visibly plump and youthful-looking skin. Naturally scented with jasmine, neroli, and rose—as subtle and luxurious as nature itself.”
I like both the feeling and the smell of this oil, but unfortunately have found it to be a little irritating when I have used it on my face.
I seem to be able to tolerate it when my skin is already in very good shape, but it is more of a problem during those times that my skin already is a little irritated.
I have not had any problems using this product on my neck and chest.
I think that it likely would be fine for most people with a less compromised skin barrier than mine to use on their face.
The oils in the formula include camellia seed, grapeseed, avocado, marula seed, hemp seed, chia seed, watermelon seed, borage seed, rosehip seed, raspberry seed, and argan.
The product also includes a wide array of essential oils and botanical extracts.
It does not include any rose geranium oil, and so it seems that the high levels of other essential oils are what have been problematic for me.
The smell is reasonably strong but pleasant, in my opinion.
Size: 1 oz.
True Botanicals Rating: 4.4 Stars (1417 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Essential Oils, Natural Fragrance, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate)
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Product Rating: EWG Verified
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Rose flower oil (3), Jasmine oil (5), Linalool (3), Citronellol (4), Geraniol (5), Farnesol (4), Benzyl Alcohol (4), Citral (5), Eugenol (5), Benzyl benzoate (5), Limonene (5)
Fragrance Ingredients: Rosehip seed oil, Raspberry seed oil, Papaya seed oil, Kiwi seed oil, Passion fruit seed oil, Passiflora edulis seed oil, Camphor leaf extract, Frankincense oil, Bitter orange leaf/twig extract, Vetiver root oil, Rose flower oil, Jasmine oil, Fir oil, Red pine extract, Rosemary extract, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Farnesol, Eugenol, Limonene
All Ingredients: Camellia seed oil*, grape seed oil*, avocado oil*, marula seed oil, hemp seed oil*, chia seed oil*, watermelon seed oil, borage seed oil*, rosehip seed oil*, raspberry seed oil, evening primrose oil*, argan kernel oil*, squalane, papaya seed oil, kiwi seed oil, passion fruit seed oil, passiflora edulis seed oil, olive fruit oil, milk thistle seed oil, camphor leaf extract, frankincense oil, bitter orange leaf/twig extract, tocopherol, vetiver root oil, rose flower oil, jasmine oil, fir oil, astaxanthin extract*, algae extract, red pine extract, red algae extract, rosemary extract*, linalool, citronellol, geraniol, farnesol, benzyl alcohol, citral, eugenol, benzyl benzoate, limonene. *Organic Ingredients
UpCircle Organic Face Serum with Coffee Oil – $20
Overall Rating: 
(3 / 5)
Performance Rating: (3 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: Very Mild
Processed Fragrance: Coffee Seed Oil, Bergamot Oil, Rose Geranium Oil, Lemon Oil, Palmarosa Oil, Vetiver Root Oil, Rose Oil, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol, Citral, Farnesol
The description of this product reads, “UpCircle Organic Face Serum with Coffee Oil works to boost the skin’s natural collagen production to improve skin firmness. Formulated with jojoba, and sea buckthorn oils, this facial serum hydrates and nourishes skin, while Vitamin C and antioxidant rich coffee and rosehip oil help to increase brightness and improve uneven skin tone. This oil based serum can also be used on hair or beards to soften strands and keep the skin beneath nourished and healthy. This organic serum uses essential oils to provide a scent of geranium, rose and lemon.”
This seems to be the most popular product from UpCircle, which is an English company with a mission of using leftover natural ingredients (such as coffee grounds, brewed chai tea spices or argan nut shells) in their beauty products.
I was initially attracted to this product due to the large number of positive reviews on Credo and also because of my hope that the coffee oil in the product might help to address facial puffiness.
Whether the product is even supposed to address puffiness issues, I don’t know.
I personally feel that some of the eye creams that I have tried – such as the 100% Pure Coffee Bean one – have done much more for my facial puffiness than this product.
The relatively low price of the product is explained by the first two ingredients being organic sunflower and safflower oils. I consider these to be relatively clean but not necessarily optimal for skincare use.
A number of other oils that often are used in other high-quality products – including jojoba, sea buckthorn, rosehip and raspberry seed – also are included.
The product contains a number of essential oils and other ingredients that give the product a floral-citrus type scent and presumably also act as preservatives. I think that I can smell coffee as well, but that scent is not overwhelming.
I’ve found the product to be slightly irritating to my face, presumably due to the use of the citrus essential oils and other processed natural fragrances.
I’ve used up some of this product on my hair, though I don’t think that it is ideal for that either.
Size: 1 oz.
Credo Rating: 4.9 Stars (1373 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Essential Oils, Natural Fragrance)
EWG Product Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Geranium oil (4), Lemon peel oil (6), Rose flower oil (3), Limonene (5), Geraniol (5), Linalool (3), Citronellol (4), Citral (5), Farnesol (5)
Fragrance Ingredients: Coffee seed oil, Rosehip fruit oil, Raspberry seed oil, Bergamot fruit oil, Geranium flower oil, Lemon peel oil, Palmarosa oil, Vetiver root oil, Rose flower oil, Calendula flower extract, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol, Citral, Farnesol
All Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Oil*, Safflower Seed Oil*, Jojoba Seed Oil*, Coffee Seed Oil, Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil*, Rosehip Fruit Oil*, Raspberry Seed Oil*, Bergamot Fruit Oil*, Geranium Flower Oil*, Lemon Peel Oil*, Palmarosa Oil*, Vetiver Root Oil*, Rose Flower Oil*, Calendula Flower Extract*, ^Limonene, ^Geraniol, ^Linalool, ^Citronellol, ^Citral, ^Farnesol. *Organic Ingredients. 98% Organic of total. ^Natural constituent of essential oils listed.
Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum – $195
Overall Rating: (3 / 5)
Performance Rating: 
(2 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: Moderately Severe
Processed Fragrance: Lemon Oil, Lavender Oil, Rose Oil, Carrot Seed Oil, Neroli Oil, Bergamot Oil, Cypress Oil
The Vintner’s Daughter website states about this product, “The Winningest Face Oil, Active Botanical Serum is a category-defining face oil, formulated with 22 of the world’s most nutrient-rich botanicals for nourishing and restorative moisture. At the heart of this performance-driven serum is our signature Phyto Radiance Infusion, a 21-day process which begins with whole plants and, over the course of three weeks, gently infuses their powerful nutrients into our formula. Added to this infusion is a strategic group of botanical and essential oils to amplify performance and effectively address a broad range of skin concerns.”
This expensive face oil has received a fair amount of media attention and general buzz over the past few years, in large part as a result of some celebrities and beauty professionals acknowledging their use of the product.
The moisturizing oils included in it are grapeseed, hazelnut, avocado, carrot seed, evening primrose, tamanu and sunflower seed.
The product also includes a number of essential oils, including (rather astoundingly) lemon peel oil as the third ingredient. Other essential oils used are lavender, rose, neroli, bergamot, cypress, and jasmine.
Additional botanical ingredients include marigold, alfalfa, dandelion, nettle, sea buckthorn, turmeric and rosemary.
While I liked the scent of this product, my personal experience with it seems to have been rather disastrous for my skin.
My face appeared to be mostly okay with it the first time or two that I used it, but then became increasingly red and irritated.
I used the product a half a dozen times at most, applying it according to the instructions. Eventually, after my face was such a mess that it was reacting to other products that I had previously used without incident, I gave up on it.
Following the discontinuation of my product usage, I had a fair amount of skin peel off my face (to the point that my previous light suntan disappeared).
My skin remained irritable for several weeks, until I used some products (including ozonated coconut oil, hypochlorous acid, and probiotic sprays) that are supposed to help the microbiome of the face.
Although my skin eventually recovered from the event, I don’t think it ever looked any better than it did before I tried this product.
I am guessing that the large amount of lemon peel oil in the Vintner’s Daughter product was especially damaging to the microbiome of my face and to my skin barrier, but some of the many other ingredients in the formula could have been an issue too.
I am interested to read the Vintner’s Daughter description on the Violet Gray website (dubbed “The Industry’s Beauty Edit”), since it calls the product “a transformative anti-aging skin care treatment that promotes cell turnover and elasticity, and inhibits melanin production for luminous, clear skin.”
This sounds to me like it is suggesting that this product is not just offering the moisturizing and nourishing benefits of the other face oils that I have tried, but also may be providing benefits similar to those attributed to retinol or hydroxy acids.
That makes me think of one story that I heard from a younger beauty influencer who said that she thought that Vintner’s Daughter had been very helpful for her severe acne, but that the prescription retinol that she used a bit later on was even more helpful for that.
Since retinoids and hydroxy acids are accepted as being helpful for both acne and for aging issues, then perhaps the Vintner’s Daughter has generated positive word-of-mouth as a result of having a similar effect.
I don’t have any problem with that, if indeed that is the case.
However, I personally have been very cautious with regard to using products like hydroxy acids or retinoids since I know that those can be severely irritating to people with sensitive skin.
If I had realized that Vintner’s Daughter might be “promoting cell turnover” in a similar way, then I would have been much more careful with it or not purchased it at all.
So I think that kind of information should be featured on the company website and also that user reviews should be featured on the site so that those considering the product can have a better idea of what to expect from it.
(The Nordstrom and Beautylish sites do feature reviews that I would have done well to have read before using the product.)
I also think it is problematic that the Vintner’s Daughter website does not seem to allow returns of opened product under any circumstances, even when people have an adverse reaction to it.
Some Vintner’s Daughter retailers do allow returns of gently used products that have not worked out, and so I would suggest that those wanting to try this product consider confirming these retailers’ policies regarding whether they can get a refund or store credit if they have a bad reaction to it.
For those who just want to try a small amount of this product to see if they can tolerate it, Ayla offers custom samples for a nominal charge.
Note that I felt like I did okay with that tiny sample and that it was only after I used the product for a slightly longer period of time that it became problematic for me, though.
Size: 1 oz.
Nordstrom Rating: 4.3 Stars (156 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Essential Oils)
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Lemon Peel Oil (6), Rose Flower oil (3), Jasmine Extract (4). (Also contains Lavender Oil, Carrot Seed Oil, Neroli Flower Oil, Bergamot Peel Oil, Cypress Oil.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Lemon peel oil, Lavender oil, Rose flower oil, Carrot seed oil, Rosehip seed extract, Neroli flower oil, Bergamot peel oil, Frankincense resin extract, Cypress oil, Marigold extract, Dandelion leaf extract, Nettle leaf extract, Jasmine flower extract, Tamanu seed oil, Turmeric root extract, Rosemary leaf extract
All Ingredients: Grape Seed Oil, Hazelnut Seed Oil, Lemon Peel Oil, Avocado Oil, Lavender Oil, Rose Flower Oil, Carrot Seed Oil, Evening Primrose Seed Extract, Rosehip Seed Extract, Neroli Flower Oil, Bergamot Peel Oil, Frankincense Resin Extract, Cypress Oil, Marigold Extract, Alfalfa Leaf Powder, Dandelion Leaf Extract, Nettle Leaf Extract, Jasmine Flower Extract, Sea Buckthorn Extract, Tamanu Seed Oil, Turmeric Root Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Sunflower Seed Oil.
Shopping List
This section lists products that seem that they may have potential and that I am hoping to try in the near future.
Readers are highly encouraged to bring other relevant products that they have tried to my attention so that I can add them to this list.
Annmarie Rejuvenating Facial Oil – $129
Beautycounter All Bright Brightening Facial Oil – $76
Birkenstock Calming Face Oil – $55
Herbivore Emerald Deep Moisture Glow Oil – $48
Herbivore Orchid Face Oil – $66
Herbivore Phoenix Face Oil – $58
Roen Elixir Restorative Face Oil – $80
Three Ships Boost 49% Rosehip Oil Serum – $35
Typology Firming Night Serum – $65
Typology Hydrating Night Serum – $49
Typology Radiance Night Serum – $62
W3LL People Bio Booster Oil Drops – $25
W3LL People Plant Elixir – $24
Youth To The People Superberry Dream Oil – $44
About This Website
The Living Clean in a Dirty World shopping website is designed to provide guidance to those seeking out products that are relatively low in toxicity and that provide generally positive user experiences.
Although the skincare and makeup sections have a particular focus on products appropriate for women who are in their 40’s or beyond, the information provided may be useful for other people as well.
The products are curated by Lisa Petrison, who has been focused on helping people to improve their health by avoiding toxicity since 2008 and who heads the Paradigm Change organization.
Her Living Clean in a Dirty World blog site discusses a variety of topics of relevance to those who are working to pursue a more natural lifestyle with less exposure to harmful toxicity.
Lisa is the author of several books, including A Beginner’s Guide to Mold Avoidance (co-written with Erik Johnson).
She also runs the Paradigm Change website (focusing on issues related to toxic mold illness) and the Mold Avoiders Facebook group (designed for the discussion of all topics of interest to those pursuing the mold avoidance approach described in the “Beginner’s Guide” book).
Lisa was born in August 1964 and has yet to try cosmetic surgery, Botox or other cosmetic treatments requiring interactions with a physician, or beauty products containing retinoids.
In her former life, Lisa worked as a business school professor, as a marketing consultant to a variety of large companies, and as a reporter covering the advertising industry.
She holds a Ph.D. in marketing and social psychology from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University as well as B.S./M.S. degrees from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern.
Lisa would like to extend a special note of appreciation to Ellen Kleiman-Redden for her help in trying out products and discussing issues related to this project.
She also would like to thank the many members of the Mold Avoiders community who have shared suggestions of products to be included here.
A Note From Lisa
Products that I have tried or researched and that I have not found to be acceptable from a toxicity standpoint have been omitted entirely from the discussions on this website.
However, since a goal of this project is to introduce people to a range of options in terms of price and functionality, some products discussed on this site include ingredients that may not be appropriate for everyone.
It’s my hope that all individuals making their way to this site will find at least a few options from each product category that meet all of their own needs and wants from a variety of perspectives.
The vast majority of cosmetics marketers now offer affiliate programs in which Internet content creators may earn commissions if people who are referred to the companies’ sites by clicking on links end up making purchases.
I participate in quite a few individual affiliate programs as well as in the Sovrn/Viglinks program (which automatically converts regular links into revenue-generating links).
Links on this page that may result in affiliate income may include – but are not necessarily limited to – those from the following companies: Amazon, Annmarie, Ayla, Badger, Beautycounter, Birkenstock, Boom, Burt’s Bees, Cocokind, Credo, Evanhealy, Goop, Herbivore, Honest, Jones Road, Mad Hippie, Marie Veronique, One Love Organics, Pharmaca, RMS Beauty, Roen, Sephora, Three Ships, True Botanicals, Typology, Ulta, Vintner’s Daughter, Vitacost, W3LL People, and Youth To The People.
Reader comments about products discussed on this website are very welcome.
Thoughts may be shared either by posting them in the comments section at the bottom of this page or by sending them directly to me at the following email address:
info at paradigmchange dot me
Companies that would like to offer me complimentary products to try out may contact me at this address as well.
Individuals who are seeking out less-toxic products or who are interested in pursuing a cleaner and healthier lifestyle may want to sign up to receive occasional email newsletters from Living Clean in a Dirty World.
Thanks very much for visiting the Living Clean shopping site!
Links on this page are in orange (no underlining).
