Ingredient guide · C

Cedar

Cedar is a soothing, woody-scented ingredient extracted from cedar trees, commonly used in UK skincare and haircare for its calming and balancing properties. It brings a fresh, forest-like aroma to products while helping to purify and comfort the skin and scalp.

Cedar — Cedar comes from the needles, bark and wood of various cedar trees, most commonly the A… | UK Lips ingredient guide

How it works in skincare

In cosmetics and skincare, cedar essential oil and cedarwood extracts are valued for their natural astringent and antiseptic qualities. They work to refine the appearance of pores, balance oil production and soothe irritation, making them a popular addition to toners, moisturisers, cleansers and scalp treatments. The woody aroma also provides a grounding sensory experience in aromatherapeutic formulations.

Key benefits

  • Helps balance excess oil on skin and scalp
  • Soothes and calms irritated skin
  • Refines the look of enlarged pores
  • Provides a pleasant woody aroma in formulations
  • Supports a healthy-looking scalp
  • Offers a grounding, fresh scent in hair and body products

Best for

oily skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, scalp concerns

Where it comes from

Cedar comes from the needles, bark and wood of various cedar trees, most commonly the Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) or Virginian cedar (Juniperus virginiana). It is steam-distilled to produce the essential oil used in cosmetics.

Products with Cedar

Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain Cedar than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.

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