I mentioned linalool in my recent post about perfume, but I didn’t really expound upon why it should be avoided because I hadn’t done much research at that point (aside from the articles that I linked to in the post).  My curiosity was stirred once again while reading the ingredients to Danielle’s seemingly harmless body oil.  Upon seeing the ingredient “linalool” listed, I immediately did some research.

Linalool earns a hazard score of 5 from the Cosmetic Safety Database and is even linked to cancer according to that source. A few articles that I read pointed out that many people are allergic to linalool and also linked it to eczema. Some sites insisted that whether or not linalool is harmful depends on whether or not it is manufactured synthetically, which makes sense since linalool occurs naturally in lavender essential oil (which has a very low hazard score of one). Some articles stated that  naturally-occurring linalool may have anti-cancer effects. After reading all of these contradictory things about linalool, I honestly don’t know what to think anymore. The most reasonable conclusion to draw, I guess, is that I should always make sure that the linalool in my products is naturally-occurring rather than synthetic.  Synthetic is never really the way to go in my book anyway.

Karen's Botanicals Rehydrating Olive Oil Cleanser

Ingredients- Olive Oil, Saponified Olive Oil, Distilled water, Extracts of Melissa and Rosemary Oil, Lavender Essential Oil (The olive oil and saponified olive oil are organic.)

Product Description (Again, provided at Carenonline.com, where I ordered the product)- “A gentle cleanser that leaves skin feeling supple, fresh, and thoroughly moisturized. Pure organic, virgin olive oil gently deep cleans the pores and moisturizes the skin. Saponified olive oil provides a gentle foaming action to wash away the excess oil, leaving your face feeling clean and soft. Highly concentrated; a little dab will do.  Olive oil has regenerating power on the skin tissue and has the ability to regulate the natural moisturizing system of the skin. Olive oil smooths and softens the skin and is great for stimulating and healing the skin by toning up and firming it. Essential oils of Melissa, Rosemary and Lavender soften, purify, and stimulate skin cells”

Price- $12.50 for four ounces, and as my Jr. High gifted teacher would’ve said: A little dab will do.

Performance- Since the bottle did not tell me this, I had to find out on my own. You should really shake this stuff up before you use it. Otherwise, it will not lather. I’m guessing that is has something to do with the ingredients separating, which is a common problem with “natural” products. After I realized that I needed to shake it, I was thoroughly pleased with the product. I wash my face twice a day now because I can without it drying it out. My skin does what it wants, but for now I am even seeing fewer blemishes.

Scent- This product smells exactly as the ingredients would suggest: lavender, rosemary, and olive oil..in that order.

Rating- Ten all the way! I almost said nine, but it is not the product’s fault that I was left in the dark about the need to shake it.