Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent Toner Review

Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent Toner
1.8
/ 10
Moisturizing
3.5 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich Skin Soothing icon
in Skin Soothers
Review

Does Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent Toner Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent Toner has to offer:
 
  • A bit of moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 1.8 out of 10.
  • Soothing: Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent Toner contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help to reduce irritation and calm the skin.

Key Benefits of Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent Toner

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent Toner:
 

Slight Moisturizing When Used Alone

According to CreamScan analysis, Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent Toner is slightly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 1.8 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a moderate humectancy of 3.5 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Glycerin (est. ≈2.0%).

This type of product provides relatively light moisturizing on its own but can contribute to overall moisturizing efficacy when used as part of a skincare routine, alongside another moisturizer.

Tip: Certain studies suggest that humectants alone may not effectively moisturize the skin. If you use this product as your only moisturizer, we recommend following it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Skin Soothing and Calming Potential

Based on the ingredient list analysis, Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent Toner is rich (> 5%) in soothing ingredients, particularly Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water (est. ≈4.0%).

When applied to the skin, compounds of soothing ingredients, such as triglycerides, phospholipids, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants, work together to soothe the skin through various mechanisms: reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, repairing the skin barrier, and providing antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent Toner

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent Toner to your skincare routine:
 

Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

If one of your main reasons for choosing Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent Toner is its potential anti-aging effects, please note that, according to CreamScan analysis, it currently has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, an ingredient often marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract provide insufficient evidence of its efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards.

While this does not categorically exclude the possibility that Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract may reduce wrinkles, its efficacy is not supported by convincing, vehicle-controlled, double-blind clinical studies - at least none that were accessible to the CreamScan team at the time of publication.

Therefore, this ingredient does not generate the anti-wrinkle rating.

Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, can deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Pros & Cons of Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent Toner

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent Toner to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • Provides relatively light moisturizing on its own but can contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine
  • Potentially soothing, as it contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, specifically Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water

Cons: 

  • Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
80
6
4
3
2
1.5
1
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Alcohol Denat.
Function:
Origin:
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water
Function:
Origin:
Polysorbate 80
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
Function:
Origin:
Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Peel Oil
Function:
Origin:
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil
Function:
Origin:
Disodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract
Function:
Origin:
Achillea Millefolium Oil
Function:
Origin:
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Function:
Origin:
Laurus Nobilis Oil
Function:
Origin:
Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil
Function:
Origin:
Limonene
Function:
Origin:
Linalool
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
3.5
2
1.5
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
1.8
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 3.5 10
3.5
2
1.5
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
1.8
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
2
1.5
All humectants 3.5 10
3.5
All humectants
3.5
2
1.5
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
n/a
- 1.5 -
Total
0
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
1.5
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
1.5
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 2.1 3 No
All antioxidants
2.1
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
1.5
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil
0.3
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
4
1.5
0.3
0.3
All soothing 6.1 5 Rich in soothing
All soothing
6.1
4
1.5
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %80
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Alcohol Denat.
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Alcohol Denat.

Denatured alcohol is ethanol that contains additives that make it unsafe to consume. It is mainly used as a solvent and an antimicrobial agent. A major drawback to alcohol denat. is that it dries out the skin.

Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) WaterA fragrant, astringent essential water obtained by steeping and distilling the twigs and leaves of the witch hazel plant. It leaves the skin feeling tight and refreshed after application and helps with the healing of small cuts on the skin.
Polysorbate 80
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Polysorbate 80A non-ionic surfactant, which means that it contains no chemical charges. It can be used as a mild cleansing agent in skin cleansing products but is more commonly used for its emulsifying abilities.
Glycerin
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

An antioxidant green tea extract. In the deeper layers, it slows down the destruction of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid – thus delaying the signs of aging. It also acts as an anti-acne, soothing, moisturizing, and emollient ingredient.

Phenoxyethanol
Est. %1
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) OilAn essential oil derived from common, or true, lavender. It is used in skincare for its lovely, calming scent. Like all essential oils, however, it may cause a contact skin allergy in more sensitive individuals.
Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Peel Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Peel Oil

A fragrant essential oil obtained from bitter orange fruit peels that almost exclusively consists of limonene. It has a sweet, fresh, citrus scent.

Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf OilAn essential oil distilled from the leaves of rosemary. It is used as a fragrance in skincare and has a spicy, earthy, camphoraceous scent. It also has antioxidant properties according to some research.
Disodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Disodium EDTAA synthetic chelator that helps to maintain the look and smell of a product by 'locking up' troublesome metal ions.
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) ExtractAn extract obtained from the twigs and/or leaves of witch hazel. It is one of the oldest skincare remedies known to man. It is astringent and sebum regulating, meaning that it controls the amount of sebum that the skin produces.
Achillea Millefolium Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Achillea Millefolium Oil
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf OilAn essential oil extracted from the leaves of the Eucalyptus globulus, a tall, evergreen, Australian tree with waxy leaves. It mostly consists of cineole – which has potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity.
Laurus Nobilis Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Laurus Nobilis Oil
Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Salvia Officinalis (Sage) OilA fragrant essential oil derived from sage with a cooling, robust, and pine-like herbal scent.
Limonene
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Limonene

One of the most used fragrances in skincare products. It is produced from the peels of citrus fruits and has a fresh, pleasant, citrusy smell. People who are sensitive to citrus should try to avoid it, or at least do a patch test before using it.

Linalool
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
LinaloolA fragrant, volatile compound naturally present in many essential oils. It has a pleasant scent and is often used in skincare products as a fragrance. People with sensitive skin should try to avoid it, or at least do a patch test before using it.