Aesop Skincare Review
About Aesop
Aesop is a skincare brand that offers meticulously crafted skin, hair, and body care formulas. The company is owned by the Brazilian cosmetics group, Natura & Co. In addition to skincare, they also create hair care products, soaps, and fragrances.
The brand has been featured in numerous media outlets, such as BlogTO, British GQ, HypeBeast, and The Chicago Tribune, to name a few. Plus, their Instagram also boasts an impressive 814k followers where many have commented on the products and praised them for their aromatic, natural-feeling products.
This Aesop skincare review will offer a comprehensive look at the brand and the available products. We’ll also investigate customer reviews to help you make a thoughtful decision about the company.
Overview of Aesop
Aesop was established in 1987 in Melbourne, Australia, and has since expanded to have offices and stores all over the world. The company maintains a rigorous and independent approach to developing its products with a private team of skilled chemists.
The brand’s mission is to formulate skin, hair, and body care products of the finest quality, using plant-based and laboratory-made ingredients with proven records of safety and potency.
Aesop is known for its thorough in-person customer service and free samples. They uphold this reputation by employing informed consultants in each of their unique storefronts to ensure that all of your questions are fully answered. The brand hopes that whatever product you try is one that you can have a long-term relationship with.
The company also has a philanthropic side in the form of the Aesop Foundation. They work together with local charities to help improve literacy and the lives of their community members. Notable collaborators include the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation and the Story Factory Novella Project.
Before we get into product details, this Aesop skincare review will give you a snapshot of the brand’s pros and cons:
Pros
- A variety of skin, hair, and household products with natural ingredients and scents
- Vegan products (Leaping Bunny approved)
- Certain products contain only natural ingredients
- Certified B Corporation, the company is held to a high ethical standard
- The brand collaborates with local charities
- Responsive customer service
- Numerous conveniently located brick and mortar stores
- Prepaid shipping labels for returns, accepted within 90 days of purchase
Cons
- Expensive in comparison to similar quality products
- Some customers find in-store consultants “over-eager”
Is Aesop a clean brand?
Aesop takes pride in its clean product development, but the company’s practices may not fall under the same definition as other brands that advertise as clean. For instance, Aesop does not use the words “organic” or “natural” to encompass their entire product line. The company acknowledges that many of the ingredients they use are “natural” by definition, but some are not.
Aesop appreciates the effects of plant-based, science-based properties. As such, the company chooses to incorporate both into the development and manufacturing of their high-quality products (scientifically validated and skin-friendly). Every item used is sourced safely from reputable suppliers.
Aesop Skincare Review
The brand sells skincare, haircare, and fragrance products. This Aesop skincare review will focus on dermatologic bestsellers, but feel free to check out their other body and hair care lines. Also, with each order, the company throws in complimentary samples that you will be able to select at checkout.
The next portion of this review will feature bestselling products including facial oil, hydrating creams, and cleansers.
Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent Toner Review
Like a tiny spa day in a bottle, the Bitter Orange Astringent Toner is chock full of botanicals to keep your skin looking great. Featuring Witch Hazel and Rosemary Leaf, this toner clears out the excess dirt from the pores for a clearer, balanced complexion.
For best results, Aesop recommends applying half a teaspoon of the toner in the morning and evening by applying it to a cotton pad or your fingers and patting it onto the face and neck. This product’s effects can also be enhanced when used with other Aesop creams, serums, and gels.
Get this potent Bitter Orange Astringent Toner in one of two sizes:
- 3.4 oz: $35
- 6.8 oz: $53
Aesop Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream Review
Cool and hydrated skin is easy peasy lemon squeezy with the Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream. This citrus-based product leaves a light finish as it soothes and balances the skin. Mandarin, Lemon, and Tangerine all come together in a zesty formula to help keep your face looking toned.
Aesop recommends applying a ½ teaspoon of this product to your skin twice a day and is best suited for those with normal to combination skin, as well as oily skin throughout the cooler seasons.
This invigorating cream is available in a 2.1 oz container for $50.
Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Serum Review
The Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Serum is a staple in the Aesop skincare routine for oily skin. This product contains all the antioxidants you could ever ask for, plus Grape Seed and Parsley Seed to help hydrate and fortify the skin. All of this goodness is nicely packaged in an Aloe Vera formula for deep hydration.
This serum works for most skin types but is particularly effective for combination and oily skin. For best results, massage a ½ teaspoon of the product into your freshly washed face and feel the magic happen.
Get the solution to soft, hydrated skin in a 3.4 oz bottle for $75.
Aesop Avail Facial Lotion with Sunscreen Review
We all have days to conquer, and many of us forget that when we are out and about we are exposing our skin to harmful UVA and UVB sun rays.
Thankfully, you can add a secret weapon to your makeup arsenal to protect your skin from the inside out. The Avail Facial Lotion with Sunscreen shields your skin from ultraviolet rays with SPF25. Plus, the moisturizer harnesses Green Tea, Tocopherol, and Panthenol to ensure hydration with a light, herbal scent.
This lightweight moisturizer should be applied 20 minutes before sun exposure and may need reapplying every few hours. This Avail Facial Lotion with Sunscreen comes in a 1.8oz container for the price of $60.
Aesop Soap Review
We all take care of ourselves with a skincare routine. But how often do you neglect the skin on your hands or body?
This brand has a line of body and hand products including Aesop deodorants, lotions, and washes that harness moisturization, protection, and the brand’s signature light, herbal scents to ensure your whole body has the care it needs.
This Aesop soap review will now take a look at the brand’s bestselling hand soap to have around the house when you need them.
Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Soap Review
Breathe some extra life into your skin with the Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Soap. This formula uses Orange, Rosemary, and Lavender oil to simultaneously cleans and hydrates your hands. For added moisture, pair with an Aesop hand cream.
The Aesop Resurrection hand soap won’t leave any residue, but it will leave you feeling and smelling like you just went on a relaxing stroll through the woods.
You can buy a rejuvenating 16.9 oz bottle for $39. Eco-friendly friendly refill bottles are also available for $38, so go ahead and help yourself and the environment.
Aesop Body Lotion with Sunscreen Review
Meant to be the counterpart to the brand’s facial lotion with sunscreen, the Body Lotion with Sunscreen has been designed to shield your body from the sun.
Though the sunscreen lotion provides SPF25, the body lotion goes the extra mile with SPF50 protection ensuring that you can go about your run, daily schedule, or errands without harming your skin in the process.
The lotion is also great at keeping your skin supple and soft with the added Spearmint Leaf, Tocopherol, and Panthenol for a light, mint scent. Pair with an Aesop body wash at the end of the day for happy, smooth skin.
This lightweight lotion is best applied generously 15 minutes before you go out into the sun, and it must be reapplied every 80 minutes to ensure ample protection. The Body Lotion with Sunscreen comes in a 5.4oz bottle for $41.
Aesop Resurrection Duet Hand Soap Review
The Resurrection Duo is a discount Aesop skincare set including two full bottles (500 ml each) of Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash and Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm. This set contains everything you need to clean and hydrate your hands, leaving behind nothing but a lovely citrus and woody aroma.
Appropriately named, the Resurrection Hand Wash and Hand Balm work together to leave your skin feeling smooth and youthful with minimal residue. Does your regular hand soap work as hard as these two?
This dynamic duo is available for $125 and will have you smelling as nice as the patented Aesop shampoo.
Aesop The Seasoned Wayfairer Review
Need some all-around help with your bathroom and home routine? Or, are you looking to experiment with Aesop products to see what they are about? The Seasoned Wayfairer is a great way to introduce yourself to Aesop before buying their products at their prices.
The Seasoned Wayfairer pack includes the:
- Istros Aeromatic Room Spray (1.7 oz)
- Post-Poo Drops (3.4 oz)
- Ressurection Aeromatique Hand Wash (16.9 oz)
Together, this is a welcome addition to your bathroom or powder room with light scents of florals, citrus, and musky tobacco. All together these pieces come to $97, but separately it would come to over $129 (a $32 discount!).
Aesop Double-Edge Razor Blades Review
Every man needs a razor that will do the tough jobs without missing those pesky hairs. The Double-Edge Razor Blades from Aesop could be the answer to single-use plastic razors while also giving you a close, clean shave every time.
Made with stainless steel made in Germany, these Merkur Solingen blades come individually wrapped and ready to shape and sculpt your beard, mustache, or even sideburns. The Double-Edge Razor Blades come for the price of $25. Unfortunately, the brand has not revealed how many individual razors come in one shipment.
Aesop Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
Now that we’ve taken stock of Aesop’s bestselling products, let’s find out how they perform at home.
First up, a review from Makeup Alley has over 77 Aesop products listed and 942 reviews in total. Out of these reviews, the brand gained a 3.7/5 star rating overall.
Of these numbers, over 63% of customers said that they would re-purchase the brand, with testimonials like “I have been using this hand cream on and off for years… It’s a reasonably thick, herbal-smelling cream which nourishes and protects my hands and nails.”
This review was posted about the Ressurection Aeromatique Hand Balm, the highest-rated Aesop product on MakeUp Alley.
The brand has also been reviewed over 900 times on Influenster. The Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash is the second-highest evaluated product at 72 reviews, with an overall rating of 4.8/5 stars.
This testimonial from Influenster sums it up quite nicely: “Pro: Aesop soap always works to motivate me to wash my hand more often, smells amazing and natural, and gentle on skin. Con: expensive for just a hand-soap. I would still recommend them though, they make me happy.”
Other customers note that they enjoy the luxurious feeling of washing regularly with this soap, but agree that it’s a bit too expensive.
On Trustpilot, there are 37 reviews with an overall rating of 3.9/5 stars. Evaluations frequently mention the pleasant scent and aesthetics of Aesop products.
The customer service is also praised for being fast and helpful without any questions asked. 5-star rater, Ed writes “Brilliant customer service. We ordered a product, tried it. It didn’t suit and Aesop not only exchanged it but went to the trouble of giving us detailed information on alternatives for different skin types.”
The Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash is also one of the most reviewed Aesop products on Amazon, with 297 reviews and an average rating of 4.7/5 stars. A 5-star reviewer, Lorna from the UK puts it simply, “Lovely hand wash is expensive but worth it.” Other customers applaud the pleasant aroma and nice packaging.
Since this hand wash promises so much, it deserves some evidence to back it up. 5-Star reviewer, Ralphie T writes “This is my holy grail winter time cream… It is gentle, moisturizing without feeling sticky or greasy and combats extreme dryness.”
Overall, most evaluations for Aesop products are pretty stellar. There were a few negative reviews on TrustPilot, where customers felt they weren’t getting the best quality for what they were paying.
Another more common complaint is that the customer service in-store was clingy, and the customer service agents were over-eager. Depending on what type of shopper you are, these can be positives.
Is Aesop Worth It?
Customers have good things to say about the brand, but when all is said and done, is Aesop a good brand? The answer is a resounding yes to both.
This Aesop skincare review has determined that the brand lives up to all of the values and promises that they uphold. Each product is formulated with organic and safe ingredients that are listed in full under the product descriptions on the website. Their skincare line is also carefully crafted to produce pleasant aromas and effective results, and they arrive in aesthetically pleasing packaging. The one large downside is that customers find the brand unaffordable for products that they use frequently and run out of fast.
Customer service is responsible, sympathetic, and attentive. Consultants are available through a few different avenues, including complimentary one on one consultations to answer your questions and help you establish an Aesop skincare routine. Their work with local charities is also a huge plus.
Though some of the negative reviews are off-putting, the customer service within the brand’s stores does not speak to the products themselves. Plus, the negative reviews mainly point to personal preference issues and how someone’s individual taste does not coincide with how the products are made.
If you do have issues with the products, you can always take advantage of the brand’s 90-day return policy.
But, if you’re looking for a very hands-on, effective brand to support, this Aesop skincare review gives a big thumbs up to the company.
Aesop Promotions & Discounts
The brand recommends signing up for email notifications to keep up to date on exclusive offers and promotions. While the company does periodically offer discounts, there is no specific Aesop sale section.
Where to Buy Aesop Soap
Is Aesop skincare worth it? Ready to buy? The products in this Aesop Skincare review are available at Aesop.com, as well as signature stores/department store counters, and select stockists. You can easily find the location of the closest seller on their website.
You can also shop Aesop online through Amazon, Revolve, Nordstrom, and Walmart.
FAQ
Who is Aesop owned by?
The brand is owned by the Brazilian cosmetics group, Natura & Co, and the founder of the company is ex-hairdresser Dennis Paphitis.
What is Aesop’s Shipping Policy?
Aesop offers complimentary standard shipping within the mainland United States and to Hawaii and Puerto Rico through FedEx ground. Shipments take approximately 2-6 business days to arrive.
Next day shipping is available in the continental United States only using FedEx standard overnight shipping (travel in 1 business day) for an additional $20.
Aesop also ships internationally. To find the country that you’re looking to ship to, open the destination menu in the website’s footer section. From there, you’ll be redirected to the Aesop website that services your region. Prices will be displayed in that destination’s currency.
Can I return Aesop products?
Aesop offers refunds or exchanges on products that you find to be unsuitable. The package must include proof of purchase and be returned within 90 days of the date of purchase. This excludes the holiday period between November 1 and December 31, when returns are only accepted within 30 days of purchase.
To start a return, click here, select ‘Order Enquiry’ from the drop-down menu and complete the form, ensuring the online order number of the purchase (provided at the time the order is made) is correct. Upon receipt, Aesop customer service consultants will provide you with a prepaid return postage label via email with instructions on how to return the products.
How to Contact Aesop
Aesop offers a number of ways to communicate with their consultants and customer support:
- Live support available Monday–Sunday 9 AM–7 PM EDT (excluding public holidays)
- Book a one on one video consultation here, free for thirty minutes
- Submit an inquiry form
Call Aesop directly at 1-416-944-3136 between Monday–Friday, 9 AM–6 PM EDT (excluding public holidays)
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