Product advice

The ‘best before’ measure of your Aesop product is determined by the time of opening. The jar icon on the side of the label indicates the number of months the product will be at its best once open. For example, 12M equals one year from date of opening, 9M equals nine months from date of opening.

Generally speaking, and unless a shorter expiry date is printed on the product, Aesop products have a recommended shelf life of at least 36 months after manufacture with additional time as specified in the Period After Opening (PAO), noting that the PAO will vary by product. For our sunscreens, we recommend opening within 36 months. Beyond this point, the aroma and texture of the formulation may vary, and its effectiveness—particularly relevant for active ingredients and sunscreens—may decrease. For best results, we recommend prompt initial use and observation of product specific storage recommendations.

We understand that many women seek alternatives to botanically rich products during pregnancy.

All our products are tested for their safety and efficacy - Aesop is committed to providing accurate information, however, this is not intended to replace advice from your qualified medical practitioner. We recommend that you speak with your obstetrician or dermatologist to seek guidance, or if you have any concerns regarding your particular circumstances.

By precaution, topical Vitamin A products such as retinol are generally not recommended during pregnancy, and is advised that you consult a physician before the use of Resolute Facial Concentrate during pregnancy.

Skin sensitivities are inherently unpredictable, and even familiar ingredients can occasionally cause a reaction due to changes in routine, environment, or health. If you are new to Aesop or exploring a new formulation, we recommend a consultation via telephone or Live Assistance to ascertain which products are best suited to your profile.

Introduction and Patch Testing We suggest testing any new product on a small area away from the face, allowing twenty-four hours to assess the response. If no reaction occurs, repeat this for a further twenty-four hours before applying a minimal amount to the face, gradually increasing the quantity as your skin adjusts.

Managing an Adverse Reaction Should you experience an irritation, please discontinue use immediately to allow your skin to recover. We recommend reviewing any recent changes to your lifestyle or environment that may have acted as a trigger. If symptoms persist, we suggest consulting a medical practitioner to establish whether you have experienced an irritation or an allergy.

In the unlikely event of a reaction to an Aesop formulation, please contact our Customer Service team or return the item to your original place of purchase for assistance.

We recommend you keep your products in a cool place away from direct light, or better yet, in the refrigerator. This advice applies for all Aesop products, regardless of whether they are contained in glass, plastic or aluminium. The label on your Aesop product displays an icon, next to the batch number, that tells you how many months your product will be at its best.

It is best to use clean hands when dipping into jars, or to use a teaspoon or small spatula to scoop out product for use

We are meticulous in selecting and sourcing ingredients for our products. Our first considerations, always, are the health and safety of our customers and the welfare of the natural environment. Our primary objective is to ensure that our range is formulated using only the safest ingredients of the highest quality.

Accordingly, all ingredients utilised in Aesop formulations are extensively researched with respect to their safety, stability and efficacy. This is standard procedure for every ingredient under consideration, regardless of type; each is included only when its safety and efficacy have been thoroughly evaluated. This procedure also verifies that ingredients are of vegan origin and have not been tested on animals.

In addition to this stringent research, our products are tested for safety during the development process, using cumulative irritancy testing on human volunteers. Prior to release, each of our products must also pass a Product Safety Assessment and Toxicological review, conducted by an independent qualified agency.

Our Approach to Ingredients: Preservatives and Essential Oils

At Aesop, every ingredient-whether botanical or laboratory-made-is extensively researched for safety, stability, and efficacy. This rigorous evaluation is standard procedure for all formulations under consideration.

Preservatives and Stability Preservatives are a necessary and sensible component of personal care, crucial to the performance and longevity of our products. By utilising modern methodologies and non-botanical stabilisers, we ensure our botanical ingredients remain in their most effective state while using the smallest possible doses of preservatives. This approach minimises potential irritation, particularly for sensitive skin. We constantly evaluate new developments to ensure our formulations employ the latest scientific thinking.

Essential Oils and Allergens: Our essential oils are selected for the specific benefits they offer the skin. As these are complex natural mixtures, certain compounds are classified as allergens under European Union (EU) regulation. We strictly adhere to the recommendations of the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) and other global agencies, ensuring that all essential oil levels fall well below recommended safety limits.

Transparency and Standards: For full transparency, the presence of all preservatives and allergens is clearly identified within our ingredient lists.

All Aesop products are free of parabens.