Rituals Cosmetics L'Essentiel

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

This ingredient is also known as ISO E Super. It is a synthetic perfuming and masking ingredient.

The manufacturer describes this scnet as amber and woody.

Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.

It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".

Linalyl Acetate is the acetate ester of linalool and can be naturally found in many flowers and spice plants.

This ingredient is often used to add a scent or mask an unpleasant one in products.

Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.

Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.

Citronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".

Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.

Coumarins are a group of substances found naturally in plants. There are over 1300 types of coumarins identified. It has a natural vanilla scent.

Coumarin is an identified EU known allergy, meaning it may cause an allergic reaction when applied to the skin.

Farnesol is a compound extracted from essential oils such as lemongrass, rose, and more. It is used as a fragrance in products to help boost floral scents.

Farnesol is a known EU allergen and causes contact dermatitis.

Geraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.

Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.

Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.

Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.

This ingredient is a fragrance ingredient known for having a fresh, citrus/piney scent.

Though this ingredient has shown antimicrobial activity in lab contexts, it is typically present in low levels in cosmetics.

Anethole can cause irritation.

Beta-Caryophyllene is a fragrance. It can cause irritation.

Camphor is a waxy solid with a strong scent. It is made using turpentine oil.

This ingredient is used for medicinal purposes due to its cooling effect. In medicine, camphor is a common anti-inflammation ingredient.

Carvone is a masking and perfuming ingredient that is found in caraway, spearmint, and dill. It is a known EU allergen and can cause contact dermatitis with long term use.

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil is oil obtained from the peel of the bergamot orange. It is used to add a "fresh" and "fruity" scent to cosmetics.

The main aromatic compounds in this ingredient are limonene (~37%), linalyl acetate (~30%), and linalool (~8%). All of these compounds are EU fragrance allergens that can irritate sensitive skin.

Citrus Limon Peel Oil is created from the peels of the lemon. It is used to add a lemon-scent to products. Lemon peel oil also has antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. However, it may also cause phototoxicity and sensitize skin.

Lemon peel oil contains limonene, a skin sensitizing ingredient. Another component is furanocoumarin, which induces phototoxicity in skin.

Eucalyptus Globulus Oil is an oil.

Geranyl Acetate is a fragrance. It can cause irritation.

Lavandula Oil/Extract is an oil.

Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil is the pressed oil of the Rose Geranium plant. It is volatile, meaning it evaporates off the skin.

Fragrant components of Rose Geranium include citronellol and geraniol. These may cause allergies and skin-sensitivity. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Pinene is created by distilling the resin of Pinus trees.

It is a known EU allergen. Long term contact with this ingredient can cause dermatitis.

This ingredient is commonly known as Patchouli oil.

Patchouli exhibits slight antibacterial and antifungal activity from its patchoulol and alpha-patchoulene content.

This is not an INCI ingredient. Rose ketones are a group of powerful perfuming compounds that provide a floral, sweet, and fruity aroma of roses.

Common rose ketone ingredients include:

• Damascenone
• Rose Ketone-4
• Ionone

Santalol is a fragrance. It can cause irritation.

Terpineol is a fragrance. It can cause irritation.

Terpinolene is a fragrance. It can cause irritation.

Vanillin is the main compound of the vanilla bean. It is naturally occuring but can also be artificially created.

This ingredient exhibits antioxidant properties but is also a known skin-irritant.