Skin Types & Ingredient Guide

Choosing the right botanical ingredients for your skin type can help support a healthier, more balanced complexion. Below are some of the traditional herbal and apothecary ingredients commonly used for specific skin concerns.

If You Have Oily or Acne-Prone Skin

These lightweight, balancing, and soothing ingredients are traditionally used to help support clearer-looking skin without heavily clogging pores.

  • Argan Oil

  • Frankincense Essential Oil

  • Red Raspberry Seed Oil

  • Calendula Flower

  • Squalane

  • Chamomile Flower

These ingredients are commonly appreciated for their calming, non-heavy, and skin-balancing properties while helping support hydration and a refreshed appearance.

If You Have Hyperpigmentation or Dark Spots

These botanical ingredients are traditionally valued for helping support a brighter, more even-looking complexion and improving the appearance of uneven skin tone.

  • Frankincense Essential Oil

  • Helichrysum Essential Oil

  • Cranberry Seed Oil

  • Red Raspberry Seed Oil

  • Elderflower Infusion

  • Castor Oil

  • Rosehip Oil

Rich in antioxidants and skin-supporting nutrients, these ingredients are often used in apothecary skincare to help promote healthy-looking, radiant skin.

Products That Naturally Contain Vitamin C

Vitamin C-rich botanical ingredients are commonly used to help support brighter-looking skin while protecting against environmental stressors.

  • Cranberry Seed Oil

  • Rosehip Seed Oil

  • Red Raspberry Seed Oil

  • Hibiscus Flower

  • Sea Buckthorn Oil

These ingredients are traditionally appreciated for helping support skin vitality, radiance, and a more youthful-looking complexion.

Understanding Comedogenic Ranks

Comedogenic ranks use a scale from 0–5 to help evaluate the likelihood of skincare ingredients clogging pores and potentially contributing to breakouts. Understanding these ratings can help you choose products better suited for your individual skin type and skincare goals.

Comedogenic Rating Scale

Rating Description
0 Will not clog pores at all
1 Very low likelihood of clogging pores
2 Moderately low likelihood of clogging pores
3 Moderate likelihood of clogging pores
4 Fairly high likelihood of clogging pores
5 High likelihood of clogging pores

Why Comedogenic Ratings Matter

Skin Type Consideration

Individuals with oily or acne-prone skin may benefit from choosing products with lower comedogenic ratings, while those with dry skin may tolerate richer oils more comfortably.

Ingredient Context

The overall formulation of a product can influence how comedogenic an ingredient may be. For example, an ingredient with a higher rating may still work well when used in smaller amounts within a balanced formulation.

Individual Variability

Every person’s skin is unique. Reactions to skincare ingredients can vary based on skin type, sensitivity, environment, hormones, and overall skincare routine.

Understanding comedogenic ratings can help you make more informed skincare choices and select products that best support healthy, balanced skin.