Products

Aesop

Amazing Face Cleanser

face neck cleanser

Aesop

Amazing Face Cleanser

face neck cleanser

Added November 1, 2026 Last edited November 1, 2026

Fit by skin type

General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.

Dry

57%

Combination (dry)

57%

Balanced

87%

Combination (oily)

83%

Oily

83%

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Ingredients

Benefits

Actives

Find Dupes

If you're looking for a face wash that's purifying yet balancing, look no further than Aesop's Amazing Face Cleanser (200ml). Powered by a concoction of botanical extracts, starring anti-bacterial lavender, mandarin rind and ylang ylang oils, this clear, low-foaming gel gently yet effectively cleanses the skin without stripping moisture. It's a particular treat for those with oily and combination skin types (or if you're jetting of somewhere with a hot climate). Plus, it's bursting with citrus and floral notes that waft through the air to deliver a true scent sorial experience while you wash your face.

Key Insights

Benefits

Anti-Aging

Hydration

Active Ingredients

AHA

Risks

Alcohol

Allergen

Sulfate

Full Ingredients

17 total

WATER SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE COCAMIDOPROPYL HYDROXYSULTAINE POLYSORBATE 20 GLYCERIN PHENOXYETHANOL SODIUM CHLORIDE CITRUS NOBILIS PEEL OIL LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA OIL BENZYL ALCOHOL SEA SALT SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE CANANGA ODORATA FLOWER OIL CITRIC ACID AHA LIMONENE LINALOOL BENZYL BENZOATE

About Amazing Face Cleanser

Overview

Amazing Face Cleanser is a lightweight cleanser from Aesop. The ingredient list runs to 17 ingredients, each broken down in full below.

Texture and finish

By its ingredient list the formula reads as light: water and humectants lead, with emollients kept lower in the order.

What the formula does

Hydration: Moderate. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Glycerin, Water and Sea Salt.

Who it suits

On richness alone it suits Balanced, Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Several ingredients carry irritation flags. If your skin is reactive, this is one to patch test carefully or approach slowly.

What it does not target

The formula contributes little or nothing on barrier support, antioxidant protection, oil control and brightening and tone. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.

What is not in it

Reading the full list, the formula is no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free, microplastic-free, dye-free and oil-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging. It does contain fragrance and essential oils, worth knowing if your skin reacts to any of them.

Where it fits in a routine

It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes first step. Use on damp skin and rinse thoroughly. Follow with a toner or essence while skin is still slightly damp.

This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.

Pros and cons

Drawn purely from the ingredient list

Pros

No drying alcohol
Silicone-free
No microplastics

Things to know

Contains fragrance or declared fragrance allergens
Contains essential oils, a common source of reactivity
2 ingredients could feed malassezia (fungal acne)
Several ingredients carry irritation flags

Which skin types it suits

Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.

Suitable for

Balanced skin
Combination (oily) skin
Oily skin

Less suitable for

Dry skin
Combination (dry) skin

Sensitive skin

Several ingredients here carry irritation flags. If your skin is reactive or you have rosacea, introduce this slowly, or ask a dermatologist first.

Skin concerns

Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.

Helps with

Hydration 3 ingredients

Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
Anti-Aging 1 ingredient

Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles

Does not target

Anti-Acne Blackhead Reducing Dark Spot Fading Evens Skin Tone Oil Control Pore Minimizer Smooths Bumpy Skin Soothing

None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.

Key ingredients

The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.

Water

1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.

Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water

Hydration

Glycerin

5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane

Hydration Anti-Aging

Sea Salt

11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Maris Sal (EU),Pink Salt

Hydration

Citric Acid AHA

14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid

Formula analysis

Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.

Hydration Moderate

Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin

Barrier support None

Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity

Antioxidant support None

Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution

Oil control None

Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine

Brightening None

Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks

Soothing None

Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity

Cell renewal None

Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover

Firmness signalling None

Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support

Active and supporting ingredients

"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.

Active ingredients (1)

Citric Acid · under 1%

Supporting ingredients (16)

Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.

Water Sodium Laureth Sulfate Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine Polysorbate 20 Glycerin Phenoxyethanol Sodium Chloride Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Benzyl Alcohol Sea Salt Sodium Dehydroacetate Cananga Odorata Flower Oil Limonene Linalool Benzyl Benzoate

What is and is not in it

Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.

Free from

No drying alcohol
Paraben-free
Silicone-free
Microplastic-free
Dye-free
Oil-free
No animal-derived ingredients

Contains

Fragrance

Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate
Essential oils

Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate
Sulfates

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

What to layer it with

Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.

Compatible with

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
Retinoids (retinol, retinal)
AHAs (glycolic, lactic)
BHA (salicylic acid)
PHAs (gluconolactone)
Benzoyl peroxide
Azelaic acid
Copper peptides
Bakuchiol
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic acid
Ceramides
Signal peptides
Panthenol
Sunscreen

Nothing in this formula belongs to a group our rules can put in conflict, so it layers freely. Order still matters — thinnest texture first.

Where it fits in a routine

Cleanse
Toning
Treat
Moisturise
Protect

This product is the "Cleanse" step.

Use on damp skin and rinse thoroughly.
Follow with a toner or essence while skin is still slightly damp.

Safety and suitability

Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not clearance — ask your doctor about anything you use daily.
Fungal acne (malassezia): 2 ingredients could feed malassezia: Polysorbate 20, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil. That is about the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that you will break out.
Sensitive and reactive skin: Several ingredients here carry irritation flags. If your skin is reactive or you have rosacea, introduce this slowly, or ask a dermatologist first.
Recorded ingredient risks: Alcohol, Allergen, Sulfate

Ingredients by function

Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 17 ingredients on the label.

Solvent

Dissolves and carries everything else

Fragrance / colour

Changes how the product smells or looks

Preservative

Keeps the product free of microbial growth

Texture agent

Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula

Surfactant

Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together

Humectant

Draws water into the upper layers of skin

Active

Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels

Chelator

Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula

Exfoliant

Loosens or dissolves dead surface cells

Occlusive

Forms a film that slows water loss

pH adjuster

Sets the acidity the formula needs to work

Ingredient breakdown

Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.

1 Water Solvent

Estimated level: 30–80%
Confidence: Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles: Solvent

1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.

Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water

Hydration

3 scientific references

Skin Research and Technology, May 2015, pages 131-136
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, November-December 1999, pages 344-351
Journal of Cosmetic Science, September-October 1993, pages 249-262

2 Sodium Laureth Sulfate Surfactant

Estimated level: 5–20%
Confidence: Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles: Surfactant

2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

sodium 2-(2-dodecyloxyethoxy)ethyl sulphate

Sulfate

3 Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine Surfactant

Estimated level: 5–20%
Confidence: Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles: Surfactant, Texture agent

3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

1-Propanaminium, N-(3-aminopropyl)-2-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-3-sulfo-, N-coco acyl derivs., hydroxides, inner salts

4 Polysorbate 20 Surfactant

Estimated level: 2–10%
Confidence: Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles: Surfactant

4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Sorbitan, monododecanoate, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) derivs.

5 Glycerin Humectant

Estimated level: 2–10%
Confidence: Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles: Humectant, Occlusive, Texture agent, Solvent

5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane

Hydration Anti-Aging

6 scientific references

Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation, March 2021, pages 223-231
International Journal of Toxicology, November/December 2019, Volume 38, Supplement 3, pages 6S-22S
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, August 2016, ePublication
British Journal of Dermatology, July 2008, pages 23-34
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, June 2007, pages 75-82
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, June 2003, pages 7, 360-7, 365

6 Phenoxyethanol Preservative

Estimated level: under 1%
Confidence: Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles: Preservative

6th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

2-Phenoxyethanol

7 Sodium Chloride Texture agent

Estimated level: under 1%
Confidence: Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles: Texture agent

7th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Sodium chloride

8 Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil

Estimated level: under 1%
Confidence: Moderate — listed below the 1% line

8th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil is the oil expressed from the peel of the Mandarin, Citrus nobilis, Rutaceae

9 Lavandula Angustifolia Oil

Estimated level: under 1%
Confidence: Moderate — listed below the 1% line

9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Lavandula Angustifolia Oil is the volatile oil obtained from the flowers of the Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, Labiatae. ISO 8902:2009

Allergen

10 Benzyl Alcohol Texture agent

Estimated level: under 1%
Confidence: Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles: Texture agent, Solvent, Preservative, Fragrance / colour

10th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Benzyl alcohol

Alcohol Allergen

11 Sea Salt Humectant

Estimated level: under 1%
Confidence: Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles: Humectant, Exfoliant

11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Maris Sal (EU),Pink Salt

Hydration

12 Sodium Dehydroacetate Preservative

Estimated level: under 1%
Confidence: Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles: Preservative

12th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Sodium 1-(3,4-dihydro-6-methyl-2,4-dioxo-2H-pyran-3-ylidene)ethanolate

13 Cananga Odorata Flower Oil

Estimated level: under 1%
Confidence: Moderate — listed below the 1% line

13th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Cananga Odorata Flower Oil is the oil obtained from the flower, Cananga odorata, Anonaceae. Definitions in ISO 3063

Allergen

14 Citric Acid Active

Estimated level: under 1%
Confidence: Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles: Active, Chelator, pH adjuster

14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid

15 Limonene Solvent

Estimated level: under 1%
Confidence: Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles: Solvent, Fragrance / colour

15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

1-Methyl-4-Isopropenylcyclohexene; dipentene

Allergen

16 Linalool Fragrance / colour

Estimated level: under 1%
Confidence: Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles: Fragrance / colour

16th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

3,7-Dimethyl octa-1,6-diene-3-ol

Allergen

17 Benzyl Benzoate Solvent

Estimated level: under 1%
Confidence: Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles: Solvent, Preservative, Fragrance / colour

17th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Benzyl benzoate; Phenylmethyl benzoate