Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.
EWG Home EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning EWG’s Food Scores Healthy Living App Open menu

EWG's Skin Deep®
Find products and ingredients Learn how Skin Deep® works Meet our experts Discover EWG VERIFIED®
GET UPDATES DONATE
Score legend
HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES LEARN MORE ABOUT EWG VERIFIED®
Product score: 03

Data Availability:

Limited

LESSE Essential Moisturizer

LESSE Essential Moisturizer

WHERE TO BUY

When you make a purchase through retailer links on our site, we may earn commission through affiliate programs. All affiliate fees EWG receives support our nonprofit mission. Learn more here

CATEGORY

Facial Moisturizer/Treatment

BRAND

LESSE

DATA LAST UPDATED

October 2024

Ingredient concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • LOW
    Cancer
  • HIGH
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • LOW
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • HIGH
    Use Restrictions

Ingredient scores

Ingredients are scored based on their formulation and concentration in this product. Click on an ingredient for more information.

Ingredient score: 01
ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) LEAF JUICE
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) SEED OIL
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) emollient, skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
COCO-CAPRYLATE/ CAPRATE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) emollient, skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - emollient
CONCERNS • Enhanced skin absorption
• Use restrictions (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
SQUALANE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) emollient, hair conditioning, refatting, skin conditioning, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive
CONCERNS • Endocrine disruption (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
CETEARYL ALCOHOL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) emollient, emulsifying, emulsion stabilising, foam boosting, opacifying, surfactant, viscosity controlling, emulsion stabilizer, opacifying agent, surfactant - foam booster, viscosity increasingagent - aqueous, viscosity increasing agent - nonaqueous
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
GLYCERIN
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) denaturant, humectant, perfuming, solvent, fragrance ingredient, hair conditioning agent, oral care agent;oral health care drug, skin-conditioning agent - humectant, skin protectant, viscosity decreasing agent
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
ADANSONIA DIGITATA OIL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) emollient, skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
CAMELLIA OLEIFERA SEED OIL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) emollient, skin conditioning, solvent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
WATER
Data Availability: Robust
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) solvent
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
GLYCERYL STEARATE CITRATE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) emollient, emulsifying, skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - emollient
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
AVENA SATIVA (OAT) KERNEL FLOUR
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) abrasive, absorbent, bulking, viscosity controlling, bulking agent, viscosity increasing agent - aqueous
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) emollient, skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, viscosity increasing agent - nonaqueous
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, viscosity controlling, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, viscosityincreasing agent - nonaqueous
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
TERMINALIA FERDINANDIANA (KAKADU PLUM) EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
CHONDRUS CRISPUS (CARRAGEENAN) EXTRACT
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, viscosity controlling, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
TREMELLA FUCIFORMIS (MUSHROOM) EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) humectant, skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - humectant
CONCERNS • Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
CENTELLA ASIATICA (GOTU KOLA) EXTRACT
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
CERAMIDE NP
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 04
ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) LEAF OIL
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) masking, skin conditioning, fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate)
• Enhanced skin absorption
• Use restrictions (low)
• Neurotoxicity (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 04
PELAGONIUM GRAVEOLENS OIL
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 02
TOCOPHERYL ACETATE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antioxidant, skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate)
• Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
BACKHOUSIA CITRIODORA LEAF EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) astringent, skin conditioning, cosmetic astringent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
CITRIC ACID
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) buffering, chelating, masking, chelating agent, fragrance ingredient, ph adjuster
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
SODIUM LEVULINATE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Enhanced skin absorption
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 03
ACACIA SENEGAL GUM
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) film forming, masking, adhesive, fragrance ingredient
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate)
• Use restrictions (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
XANTHAN GUM
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) binding, emulsifying, emulsion stabilising, gel forming, skin conditioning, surfactant, viscosity controlling, binder, emulsion stabilizer, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, surfactant -emulsifying agent, viscosity increasing agent - aqueous
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) emollient, emulsifying, skin-conditioning agent - emollient, surfactant - emulsifying agent
CONCERNS • Enhanced skin absorption
• Endocrine disruption (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 02
POTASSIUM SORBATE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) preservative, fragrance ingredient
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 03
LINALOOL
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) deodorant, masking, fragrance ingredient
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Contamination concerns (FORMALDEHYDE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
SODIUM BENZOATE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) anticorrosive, masking, preservative, fragrance ingredient
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 04
LIMONENE
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) perfuming
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Persistence and bioaccumulation (moderate)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
• Contamination concerns (FORMALDEHYDE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT

Ingredients from packaging:

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil*, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Squalane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Oil*, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil*, Aqua, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu) Fruit Extract, Chondrus Crispus (Irish Moss) Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract*, Ceramide NP, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil*, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil*, Tocopheryl Acetate, Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Potassium Sorbate, Linalool, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene

Directions from packaging:

Apply generously to face

Product's animal testing policies

Some cosmetics companies have taken People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Leaping Bunny animal-testing pledges. For consumers who are concerned about companies’ policies on animal testing, Skin Deep reports this information.


Unknown

Leading international certifiers PETA and Leaping Bunny have no information concerning this company’s use of animal testing.

Understanding scores

Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern.

Every product and ingredient in Skin Deep gets a two-part score – one for hazard and one for data availability. The safest products score well by both measures, with a low hazard rating and a fair or better data availability rating.


HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Skin Deep ingredient hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG Verified® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend
WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE APPROACH

A product’s hazard score is not an average of the ingredients’ hazard scores. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients.

Data availability

The Skin Deep data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies about the product or ingredient in the published scientific literature.

NONE LIMITED FAIR GOOD ROBUST
Low Availability
Moderate Availability
High Availability
NONE

Ingredients have not been assessed.

LIMITED-FAIR

There is only a modest volume of research.

GOOD-ROBUST

Ingredients have been studied extensively.

More facial moisturizer/treatment

Gryt So Chill Stress Less Skin Serum
Gryt
So Chill Stress Less Skin Serum
EWG Verified logo
EWG VERIFIED
Ao Skincare Peak Strength AM Serum-Shot
Ao Skincare
Peak Strength AM Serum-Shot
EWG Verified logo
EWG VERIFIED
Ao Skincare Raw Nurture PM Treatment
Ao Skincare
Raw Nurture PM Treatment
EWG Verified logo
EWG VERIFIED
Uncommon Beauty Retinol Alternative
Uncommon Beauty
Retinol Alternative
EWG Verified logo
EWG VERIFIED
VIEW ALL facial moisturizer/treatment

More from LESSE

LESSE Soothing Lip Balm
LESSE
Soothing Lip Balm
Product score: 1
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
LESSE Ritual Serum
LESSE
Ritual Serum
Product score: 2
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
LESSE Awakening Eye Cream
LESSE
Awakening Eye Cream
Product score: 2
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
VIEW ALL LESSE
Skindeep Healthy Living App

EWG research
on the go

Find personal care, cleaning, and food products on the EWG Healthy Living app.

DOWNLOAD THE APP