If you love plant-based skincare but want products that actually deliver results, it’s time to discover CO₂ extracts for skincare. Unlike essential oils, these full-spectrum plant extracts capture not just fragrance, but all the nourishing compounds—antioxidants, fatty acids, and more—that your skin craves. Gentle, potent, and deeply effective, CO₂ extracts are the next-level ingredient your routine has been missing.
What Are CO₂ Extracts?
CO₂ extracts are made using carbon dioxide under special pressure and temperature. CO₂ acts like a solvent, pulling beneficial compounds from the most active parts of the plant—seeds, flowers, roots, or leaves. When the process is complete, the CO₂ simply evaporates, leaving behind a clean, concentrated extract.
The result is a full-spectrum concentrate—sometimes a light aromatic oil, sometimes a richer, fatty extract—that captures not just the scent but also antioxidants, fatty acids, waxes, and other skin-loving compounds. These natural skincare ingredients provide your skin with nutrients that essential oils alone can’t deliver.
How CO₂ Extracts Compare to Essential Oils
Here’s a simple way to think about it:
- Essential oils capture mostly the aromatic compounds. They smell wonderful and can benefit the skin, but they miss the heavier, nourishing parts.
- CO₂ extracts capture both light and heavy compounds, giving you a fuller representation of the plant. They’re gentler, richer, and more effective for common skin concerns like dryness, sensitivity, and dullness.
Why CO₂ Extracts Belong In Your Skincare
CO₂ extracts deliver the full power of the plant—not just fragrance, but nutrients, antioxidants, and healing compounds. They calm irritation, boost hydration, protect against environmental stress, and support natural repair.
Some examples from Land & Ritual:
- Calendula CO₂ calms sensitive or irritated skin (Barrier Support Balm)
- Pomegranate CO₂ provides antioxidant protection for radiant, resilient skin (Barrier Support Balm, Antioxidant Oil Serum)
- Amaranth CO₂ nourishes and restores moisture (Antioxidant Oil Serum)
Using products with CO₂ extracts for skincare isn’t just a nice extra—it’s a smarter, more effective way to care for your skin, giving it the concentrated plant nutrients it needs to look and feel its best.
Why They’re So Good for Skin
- Pure – No chemical solvents or residues
- Powerful – Concentrated active compounds
- Gentle – Perfect for sensitive skin
- Stable – Natural antioxidants help them last longer
- Effective – Calm, protect, and nourish simultaneously
Why You’ll Want Them in Your Routine
CO₂ extracts deliver the full spectrum of plant benefits—from antioxidants and fatty acids to soothing and repairing compounds—making them far more effective than essential oils alone. Whether in a calming balm, a restorative serum, or your daily facial oil, they help your skin stay hydrated, protected, and resilient.
Adding CO₂ extracts for skincare isn’t just a choice—it’s a way to give your skin the concentrated, gentle, and truly nourishing care it deserves.
Essential oils are amazing, but CO₂ extracts give you more of what plants naturally offer. Pure, potent, and gentle—the kind of care your skin deserves.