Ingredient Library
Clary Sage
Salvia sclarea
Clary sage is the gentle, floral cousin of common sage, prized for a balancing oil rich in the same soothing compounds as lavender. It balances oily and combination skin, comforts stressed skin, and helps refine the look of pores.
A natural history
Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) is the taller, softer cousin of common sage, a distinct species with a gentler, almost floral character. Its old name, clary, comes down to us as clear eye, from a historic reputation as a soother for the eyes. Grown for centuries around the Mediterranean, its flowering tops are distilled into a prized, balancing oil rich in the same calming compounds found in lavender.
What clary sage does for your skin
Clary sage is the gentle, balancing member of the sage family. Its oil is rich in linalyl acetate and linalool, the soft, soothing molecules that also give lavender its calm, paired with a naturally clarifying character.[1] In a formula that combination does three quiet things at once: it helps balance skin that runs combination or oily, it comforts skin that looks stressed or reactive, and its light astringency helps refine the look of pores and shine. The result is a balancing, comforting touch that suits skin looking for calm without heaviness, carried by a grounding, almost floral scent that makes a routine feel like a moment of care.
Clary sage oil vs. common sage
People often confuse the two, but they are different plants. Common sage (Salvia officinalis) is the sharp culinary herb, higher in thujone. Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) is softer, sweeter, and far gentler on skin, which is why it is the one you find in balancing skincare and calming aromatherapy rather than the spice rack.
References
[1] Kacaniova M, et al. Salvia sclarea essential oil chemical composition and biological activities. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(6):5179. doi:10.3390/ijms24065179
Found in these formulas
Questions, answered
Yes. Clary sage oil is prized for balancing combination and oily skin, comforting stressed or reactive skin, and refining the look of pores, thanks to its soothing linalool and linalyl acetate.
They are different plants. Common sage (Salvia officinalis) is the sharp culinary herb; clary sage (Salvia sclarea) is softer and gentler, the one used in skincare and calming aromatherapy.
In skincare, clary sage oil balances oil, comforts the look of stressed skin, and adds a calming, floral aroma. It is a favorite note in balancing toners, facial oils, and serums.
Blended at a low level into a finished formula, as it is in our serum, clary sage is gentle and well tolerated. Like any essential oil, it is meant to be used within a formula, not applied undiluted.
It is one of the twenty-one botanicals in our Watermelon Seed Facial Serum.