My Honest Review of Aesop Body Cleanser (2025)

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I’ve always associated Aesop with elevated, sensory-rich experiences, and their Body Cleansers are no exception. When I first tried the range, I immediately felt I was stepping into more than just a shower gel—it felt like entering a small ritual. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been testing several of Aesop’s core cleansers at home and even checked their prices at different retailers to see if the experience matches the hype. From the invigorating citrus scents to the warm, woody profiles, each cleanser offers something unique. My impressions below combine both their strengths and weaknesses, so you can decide if these cleansers are worth the investment.

Packaging

Aesop’s packaging is instantly recognizable. All of the cleansers I tried come in the brand’s signature amber bottles, which look like something straight out of an old apothecary. The design is minimalist but functional, with a pump for the larger 16.9 fl oz size and a screw-cap for refills. I love that the bottles are made from 97%+ recycled PET plastic, which reflects Aesop’s sustainability goals. The amber hue isn’t just for looks—it also protects the light-sensitive botanical ingredients from UV damage, keeping the formulas stable for longer. However, I did notice a downside: the smaller 6.2 oz tube of the Eleos Nourishing Body Cleanser is not recyclable, which felt inconsistent with the brand’s otherwise eco-conscious image. I also found some minor leakage when ordering online from a third-party retailer—nothing major, but worth noting if you’re shipping these as gifts.

Ingredients Analysis

One thing I appreciate about Aesop is its transparency. All of its products are vegan, cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny approved), and the company is a Certified B Corporation. Each cleanser is a blend of botanical extracts and laboratory-tested compounds, chosen for safety and effectiveness. For example, the popular Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser uses Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) as its main surfactant—a common but milder alternative to SLS—while the Citrus Melange Body Cleanser uses a different, slightly gentler surfactant system. The newest addition, Eleos Nourishing Body Cleanser, is formulated with Shea Butter and Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, which is even milder and great for dry or sensitive skin. This mix of natural and lab-made ingredients makes Aesop stand apart from brands that market themselves as purely “natural.” Still, if you’re committed to a completely sulfate-free routine, most of the gel cleansers won’t fit that bill.

Scent and Fragrance Profile

The first thing anyone notices about Aesop cleansers is the aroma. Each one tells its own story:

• Geranium Leaf is fresh, green, and citrusy—almost like a spa in a bottle. Its blend of geranium leaf, mandarin rind, and bergamot rind smells crisp and sophisticated.
• Citrus Melange is pure zest, bright and invigorating with lemon and grapefruit notes—perfect for mornings or post-workout showers.
• A Rose By Any Other Name blends rose with cardamom and black pepper for a spicy, unconventional floral—great for those who don’t usually like classic rose scents.
• Coriander Seed is the warmest of the gels, with woody, spicy notes that feel grounding and cozy—ideal for colder months or evening rituals.
• Eleos Nourishing Body Cleanser has a herbaceous, woody, and slightly spicy scent from cedar, patchouli, and clove bud, designed to feel comforting. I found that while these fragrances are complex and luxurious in the shower, they don’t linger long on the skin afterward. This isn’t a dealbreaker for me, but if you like your body wash scent to last like a perfume, you may be disappointed.

Texture, Lather, and Application

Aesop offers two main textures: clear gels and a cream-based emulsion. The four classic gels—Geranium Leaf, A Rose By Any Other Name, Coriander Seed, and Citrus Melange—are all low-foaming but still satisfying to use, creating a gentle lather that cleans without stripping. In my experience, they rinsed cleanly and left my skin feeling refreshed but not tight. The Eleos Nourishing Body Cleanser, on the other hand, is a rich, creamy emulsion. It feels almost like a lotion going on and is noticeably more hydrating. However, it doesn’t foam much at all, and I found myself using more product per shower to feel fully cleansed. That said, my skin felt softer and more supple afterward, which made the extra effort worthwhile.

Effectiveness and Performance

Performance-wise, Aesop’s cleansers deliver on their promise of a gentle yet thorough cleanse. The gels are versatile and worked well on my normal-to-slightly-dry skin, leaving it soft and comfortable. The Eleos Nourishing Body Cleanser stood out for its hydrating, non-stripping feel, which was especially welcome after a day in dry air conditioning. None of the cleansers irritated my skin or caused breakouts, which speaks to their quality formulations. My only consistent gripe is the price—these are undeniably luxury products, and while they elevate a daily ritual, you’re paying for the brand experience as much as the formula. Also, like many other reviewers, I noticed the scents fade quickly after rinsing, which may lessen the indulgent feel over time.

Price, Size, and Value

Aesop’s pricing is consistent across its body cleansers. The 16.9 fl oz bottles with a pump retail for $53.00, while the refill with a screw-cap is $50.00, saving both money and plastic. The travel-size bottles are around $21.00 for 3.3–3.4 fl oz. The Eleos Nourishing Body Cleanser also comes in a 6.2 oz tube for $37.00. Interestingly, I found that third-party retailers like Sam’s Club sometimes sell these at steep discounts—one of my Geranium Leaf bottles cost me about $35 instead of $53. If you’re not attached to the boutique shopping experience, you can save a lot by going this route. This “grey market” pricing shifts the decision from “Which scent do I prefer?” to “How much am I willing to pay for the experience of acquiring it?” Overall, the cost per ounce is high compared to mainstream body washes, but it’s in line with other luxury brands, and the refill system makes it slightly more reasonable.

Brand Philosophy and Reputation

What sets Aesop apart is its philosophy of considered design. Since its founding in Melbourne in 1987, the brand has combined scientific rigor with botanical wisdom, creating products that are both effective and sensorial. Beyond the formulations, Aesop invests heavily in its architectural retail spaces, each one designed uniquely to blend into its neighborhood rather than impose a cookie-cutter look. This thoughtful approach makes visiting an Aesop store feel like entering a gallery rather than a shop. Ethically, the brand ticks important boxes: it’s vegan, Leaping Bunny certified, and a B Corporation, signaling genuine commitments to sustainability and social responsibility. That said, the non-recyclable packaging of the Eleos tube shows the brand still has room to improve in aligning product development with its eco-friendly ethos.

Who is This For? (Recommendations)

If you’re looking for a luxury upgrade to your daily shower routine, Aesop’s body cleansers are an excellent choice. The Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser is a perfect all-rounder with a universally appealing scent, great for guest bathrooms too. Citrus Melange is ideal for morning people who want a bright, uplifting start to the day, while Coriander Seed or A Rose By Any Other Name make lovely evening options thanks to their warm, complex notes. For those with dry or sensitive skin, the Eleos Nourishing Body Cleanser is the clear winner, offering a creamy, hydrating cleanse. If price is a concern, consider buying from reputable third-party retailers to get the same product at a lower cost.

Final Verdict and Overall Rating