In an abundance of caution, we do not recommend that ANY products containing essential oils be used by pregnant or nursing mothers, on newborns, or on children up to age 6.
We recognize that many individuals, companies, and institutions suggest otherwise. We take the most cautious, science-based approach. Essential oils are wonderful and they contribute intrinsically to the performance of CULT+KING products. To grown adults, they can offer amazing benefits. The challenge is that humans without fully grown livers and other organs can’t process them as well as adults. So we would recommend against using C+K products containing essential oils when pregnant or for small children.
Our point of view on essential oils is informed by the research findings and safety guidelines published by Johns Hopkins University, and by our own coursework at The Tisserand Institute, the gold standard of essential oil safety.
That said, please also keep in mind we are just a bunch of stylists over here and not medical professionals so this is not meant as medical advice by any means.
Also please note that as of this writing (March, 2025), ALL CULT+KING products contain essential oils with the exception of SUPERWATER. SUPERWATER contains hyrosols instead of essential oils, and thus is safe for use during pregnancy, nursing, and for all ages.
The second edition (2014) of Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young--our "bible" on the subject of essential oils--includes this list of "Essential oils that should be avoided by any route through pregnancy and lactation":
Anise
Araucaria
Artemisia vestita
Atractylis
Birch (sweet)
Black seed
BuchuWe
Calamint
Carrot seed
Cassia
Chaste tree
Cinnamon bark
Costus
Cypress blue
Dill seed (Indian)
Fennel (bitter)
Fennel (sweet)
Feverfew
Genipi
Hibawood
Ho leaf
Hyssop
Lanyana
Lavender (Spanish)
Mugwort
Myrrh
Myrtle
Oregano
Parsley leaf
Parsleyseed
Pennyroyal
Rue
Sage (Dalmatian)
Sage (Spanish)
Savin
Tansy
Thuja
Western red cedar
Wintergreen
Wormwood
Yarrow (green)
Zedoary