Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser

Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser

Efficacy50/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Olive oil peg-7 esters, Coco-betaine + 2 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser”
From product name

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (coco-betaine, olive oil peg-7 esters, peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate, sodium peg-7 olive oil carboxylate) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Even though this formulation is mild, the following cleansing agents could trigger an irritation or allergy for some people: coco-betaine

Olive oil peg-7 estersEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent~4.9–7.4%
Coco-betaineEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenic~3.7–5.6%
Sodium peg-7 olive oil carboxylateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~3.4–5.1%
Peg-120 methyl glucose dioleateEffect: High~1.6–2.4%
Exfoliation
Lactic acid ~1.1–1.7%, below the ~2% it needs
Under-dosed
What the product description says
“Lactic acid provides gentle exfoliation without the need for scrubbing, while the fresh and floral aroma with a subtle hint of lavender helps to calm the senses.”
Source: SpaceNK

This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.

Sea saltEffect: Low, below effective doseUsed to thicken the product formulation and might help to add minerals to the surface of the skin. It is used in scrubs as a physical exfoliant. Can increase sensitivity to other ingredients if left on the skin or used in high concentration~0.2–0.75%
Maris salEffect: Low, below effective doseUsed to thicken the product formulation and might help to add minerals to the surface of the skin. It is used in scrubs as a physical exfoliant. Can increase sensitivity to other ingredients if left on the skin or used in high concentration~0.15–0.6%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~1.1–1.7%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Lavandula angustifolia oil, Chamomilla recutita flower oil + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 14 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Coco-betaineHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenicHigh~3.7–5.6%est.
Lavandula angustifolia oilAn essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~0.95–1.4%est.
Chamomilla recutita flower oilPlant oil that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains volatile compouunds that are potential allergens and can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.45%est.
MethylchloroisothiazolinoneA preservative. Is a frequent allergen in cosmeticsHigh~0.00075–0.0015%est.
MethylisothiazolinoneA preservative. Is a frequent allergenHigh~0.00075–0.0015%est.
Olive oil peg-7 estersHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agentMedium~4.9–7.4%est.
Sodium peg-7 olive oil carboxylateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~3.4–5.1%est.
Sodium citrateHelps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve productsMedium~1.3–2%est.
Lactic acidAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)Medium~1.1–1.7%est.
Simmondsia chinensis seed oilSoftens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.Medium~0.55–1.25%est.
Ribes nigrum seed oilAn emollient. Can be helpful for restoring skin barrier function.Medium~0.45–1.05%est.
Sea saltUsed to thicken the product formulation and might help to add minerals to the surface of the skin. It is used in scrubs as a physical exfoliant. Can increase sensitivity to other ingredients if left on the skin or used in high concentrationMedium~0.2–0.75%est.
Maris salUsed to thicken the product formulation and might help to add minerals to the surface of the skin. It is used in scrubs as a physical exfoliant. Can increase sensitivity to other ingredients if left on the skin or used in high concentrationMedium~0.15–0.6%est.
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractA plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicalsMedium~0.1–0.35%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Sodium laureth sulfate
Not recognized
Olive oil peg-7 esters~4.9–7.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent

More about Olive oil peg-7 esters
Sodium peg-7 olive oil carboxylate~3.4–5.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sodium peg-7 olive oil carboxylate
Coco-betaine~3.7–5.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenic

More about Coco-betaine
Potassium lactate~2–3%
Formula
Peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate~1.6–2.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate
Sodium citrate~1.3–2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products

More about Sodium citrate
Lactic acid~1.1–1.7%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
ExfoliationMoisturizingEvens skin toneAnti-aging

An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)

More about Lactic acid
Lavandula angustifolia oil~0.95–1.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties

More about Lavandula angustifolia oil
Glycerin~0.9–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.55–1.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.

More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oil
Ribes nigrum seed oil~0.45–1.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient. Can be helpful for restoring skin barrier function.

More about Ribes nigrum seed oil
Ormenis multicaulis oil~0.35–0.75%
Formula
Sea salt~0.2–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Exfoliation

Used to thicken the product formulation and might help to add minerals to the surface of the skin. It is used in scrubs as a physical exfoliant. Can increase sensitivity to other ingredients if left on the skin or used in high concentration

More about Sea salt
Maris sal~0.15–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Exfoliation

Used to thicken the product formulation and might help to add minerals to the surface of the skin. It is used in scrubs as a physical exfoliant. Can increase sensitivity to other ingredients if left on the skin or used in high concentration

More about Maris sal
Chamomilla recutita flower oil~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Plant oil that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains volatile compouunds that are potential allergens and can be irritating

More about Chamomilla recutita flower oil
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Reduces rednessAnti-oxidationAnti-inflammatoryEvens skin toneAntibacterial

A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals

More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract
Carum petroselinum seed oil~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Methylchloroisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Is a frequent allergen in cosmetics

More about Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Methylisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Is a frequent allergen

More about Methylisothiazolinone
Ingredient list view

Water, Unknown, Olive oil peg-7 esters, Sodium peg-7 olive oil carboxylate, Coco-betaine, Potassium lactate, Peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate, Sodium citrate, Lactic acid, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Glycerin, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Ribes nigrum seed oil, Ormenis multicaulis oil, Sea salt, Maris sal, Chamomilla recutita flower oil, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Carum petroselinum seed oil, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone

Compare prices

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SpaceNK US
$63.00
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Amazon USPrice as of 11/14 09:00 GMT
$67.00
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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
AesopParsley Seed Facial CleanserYOUR PRODUCTNiveaLactic Acid Micellar Wash GelClear EssenceAnti Aging Complexion Soap with Alpha Hydroxy AcidSanexZero % Sensitive Skin Shower Gel
Match—49%47%47%
Price$63.00—$7.49−$55.51$1.51−$61.49
Shared key ingredients—2 of 82 of 82 of 8
Key difference—Benzophenone-4Titanium DioxideCocamidopropyl Betaine
Irritancy High Medium Medium Low
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 4 studies and safety reviews.

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