Why Essential Oil-Free Skincare is a Game-Changer for Sensitive, Rosacea Skin

Who says having sensitive skin or rosacea skin makes building a skincare routine less fun? Bottom line is, identify what ingredients can be a potential trigger and stay away from them when you're rethinking your skincare lineup. Topping the list of the "usual suspects" is essential oils—something your sensitive skin or rosacea skin should 100% avoid. If you're a beginner in the skincare game, scroll down to learn what essential oil ingredients to avoid and how to start your skincare journey with an easy 5-step skincare routine with the best essential oil-free Korean skincare products!

First things first, what are essential oils?

Essential oils are the volatile essences of plants that create unique, wafting fragrances. They can be extracted from any plant’s flowers, bark, stem, leaves, roots, and sometimes its fruits. No matter the source, these oils are complex mixtures, often containing up to 60 different components—some good for skin, others not so great. Most of those compounds can also significantly irritate and damage skin. Some common reactions to essential oils include contact dermatitis, dryness, redness, and itchiness. Common irritants found in these oils include fragrance ingredients like limonene, citronellol, eugenol, and linalool, all present in many fragrant plant oils.

essential oil free skincare

Essential oils appear in a lot of heavy-lifting skincare products that make the products smell extra elevating and, for some people with high-tolerant skin sensitivity, can be beneficial for skin without causing irritation. But the truth is, they can cause significant breakouts and damage your skin barrier if your skin is prone to sensitivity and rosacea.

TL;DR - ESSENTIAL OILS TO AVOID: clary sage oil, eucalyptus oil, geranium oil, ginger oil, jasmine oil, lemongrass oil, neroli oil, oregano oil, patchouli oil, rosemary oil, sage oil, sandalwood oil, and ylang ylang oil.


Step 1: Essential Oil-Free Cleanser

Dear, Klairs - Gentle Black Fresh Cleansing Oil

dear klairs gentle black fresh cleansing oil

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Dear, Klairs

Dear, Klairs has always been our trusted brand for sensitive skin-friendly products, thanks to their irritant-free formulas. That's why, for your double-cleansing step, we recommend the Dear, Klairs Gentle Black Fresh Cleansing Oil which is a mild cleansing oil made up of 85% light and refreshing vegetable oil. Containing sunflower seed oil, grape seed oil, and jojoba oil (which are all carrier oils, not essential oils), this nourishing cleansing oil gently dissolves and emulsifies makeup and skin impurities with a clean finish.

BEAUTY OF JOSEON - Radiance Cleansing Balm

BEAUTY OF JOSEON Radiance Cleansing Balm

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - BEAUTY OF JOSEON

If you prefer a more balm-y experience, switch it up with our bestselling BEAUTY OF JOSEON Radiance Cleansing Balm. This essential oil-free cleansing balm is a great treat for all skin types, thanks to its super comforting sherbet-like texture that will gently melt away your day makeup and carry away excess oil by Hanbang ingredients + nutrient-rich rice water. This cleansing balm also helps skin retain moisture and leaves your complexion with a brighter glow.


Step 2: Essential Oil-Free Toner

It's very common to see toners infused with alcohol and fragrance to provide the astringent, scented feel as you'd expect from most toners. But Korean toners are just a different breed, especially for a fan-favorite brand like Haruharu WONDER.

Haruharu WONDER - Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner (Fragrance Free)

Haruharu WONDER Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Haruharu WONDER

Hailed for its renewed fragrance-free formula, this Haruharu WONDER Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner was an instant hit when it was first introduced as an unscented version of the original bestseller Haruharu WONDER Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner. This sensitive skin-friendly toner excludes all essential oil but is formulated with equally hydrating and gentle ingredients, including skin-comforting Black Rice extracts and hyaluronic acid to keep your dry skin hydrated.


Step 3: Essential Oil-Free Serum

It's important to incorporate a vitamin C serum to your skincare routine if you're struggling with hyperpigmentation. So if you're looking for a hefty dose of vitamin C to revive your radiace and boost your glow, the SKIN&LAB Vitamin C Brightening Serum is one of the best essential oil-free options for your sensitive skin in our book!

SKIN&LAB - Vitamin C Brightening Serum

SKIN&LAB Vitamin C Brightening Serum

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - SKIN&LAB

This SKIN&LAB Vitamin C Brightening Serum is one of the best essential oil-free Vitamin C serums for hyperpigmentation to bring you a brighter, more even skin tone, thanks to a whopping 16 vitamin blends with Vitamin C being the all-star ingredient in this skincare product. This hyperpigmentation serum contains vitamin bubble capsules that will help reveal a visibly brighter complexion after consistent usage.


Step 4: Essential Oil-Free Moisturizer

COSRX is a Korean skincare brand that keeps its pantheon of sensitivity-targeting skincare products in line with minimal, yet wonder-working ingredients, and this essential oil-free Full Fit Propolis Light Cream is no exception.

COSRX - Full Fit Propolis Light Cream

COSRX Full Fit Propolis Light Cream

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - COSRX

In case you fancy some honey drizzles on your skincare routine, don't miss out on the bestselling COSRX Full Fit Propolis Light Cream. Powered by the Full Fit Pro-Barrier Complex, this antioxidant-rich, essential oil-free moisturizer soothes, nourishes and hydrates dry skin during winter. It also features a team of all-star ingredients, including propolis, honey + royal jelly extracts, to deliver long-lasting moisture and nourishment without stickiness.


Step 5: Essential Oil-Free Sunscreen

Sunscreen should be the final step of your Korean skincare routine as it provides your skin with all-day protection on top of your other skincare steps. But the fact is, a lot SPF products are formulated with essential oils to sugar-coat the "sunscreen" scent, except for the PURITO Daily Go-To Sunscreen.

PURITO - Daily Go-To Sunscreen

purito sunscreen

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - PURITO

This essential oil-free hybrid sunscreen has officially become our new SPF obsession for all the right reasons. Combining both chemical + physical filters to protect your skin, this PURITO sunscreen also contains ultra-soothing ingredients, including centella asiatica extract and madecassoside, to further soothe and protect sun-irritated skin with a sheer, comforting finish.


Want to copy/paste every single step of this 5-step Korean skincare routine? Go ahead and explore more essential-oil free skincare products for your sensitive skin or rosacea skin so you can go worry-free every day! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to get more instant product updates and skincare tips!