Aveda Skincare Review: What To Buy & What To Avoid

Last Updated on April 16, 2025 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

Aveda skincare review. You’d think those three words would lead you straight into a world of spa-level bliss, glowing skin, and ingredients hand-harvested under a full moon. That’s the vibe, right? Aveda just looks like it knows what it’s doing. The branding is calm. The packaging whispers luxury. And the prices? They’re giving, “We’re not playing around.”

But here’s the thing… When a brand leans that hard into the whole earthy-glowy-natural-but-expensive aesthetic, I get suspicious. Is it actually good skincare… or are we just all collectively hypnotised by the smell of rosemary?

I’ve been side-eyeing their skincare line for a while now, trying to figure out if it’s one of those secretly incredible finds or just another case of “this would look cute on my bathroom shelf but do absolutely nothing.”

So let’s break it all down. The hype, the ingredients, what Aveda gets right, what skin types the products are best suitable for, and what might have you wondering why your face suddenly feels like a glazed donut (and not in a good way).

Ready? Let’s go there.

About The Brand: Aveda

Aveda was doing “clean beauty” before it became a marketing buzzword. Founded in 1978, the brand built its reputation around Ayurvedic principles, botanical ingredients, and eco-conscious everything—long before every brand had a leaf on the label and called it a day. They’re big on rituals, balance, and creating that whole mind-body-skin connection vibe.

What sets Aveda apart (or at least what they say sets them apart) is their commitment to plant-based science. Think less lab coat, more apothecary – but make it chic. Their formulas are often infused with essential oils, their packaging leans sustainable, and they love telling you how many flowers or roots went into a single bottle.

But while their hair care gets all the attention (seriously, people are obsessed with the Shampure line), their skincare kind of flies under the radar. It’s there, it looks fancy, it talks a big game about glow and balance, but it doesn’t get the same level of internet hype. Shame.

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What Are The Best Aveda Skincare Products?

These are the first products that I would buy in an Aveda store:

Aveda Botanical Kinetics Intense Hydrating Rich Creme ($48.00)

Ideal for dry skin, this cream feels expensive in the best way: thick, buttery, and actually hydrating without being greasy. It’s loaded with humectants like hyaluronic acid that pull moisture into your skin, and then natural oils and cupuaçu butter come in to lock it all in. My skin felt plump, soft, and stayed that way all day. And my fine lines are less visible too. It’s the kind of formula that makes your skin look like it drinks water for fun. No wonder it’s a best seller. Just a heads up though: it’s heavily fragranced. It has that classic Aveda herbal scent, which some people love, but it might be too much if you’re sensitive to fragrance or prefer unscented products. Available at Aveda and John Lewis

Related: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Hyaluronic Acid

Aveda Botanical Kinetics™ Deep Cleansing Clay Masque ($34.00)

A solid pick if you’re looking to get rid of excess oil without leaving your skin parched. It uses a blend of kaolin and bentonite clays to draw out impurities and soak up sebum, while glycerin keeps the hydration up The texture is creamy and spreads easily, and it rinses off without much fuss. After use, skin feels smoother, pores look tighter, and there’s a nice matte finish without any tightness. That said, it does contain fragrance (herbal and fresh) and essential oil derivatives like limonene and linalool, which could be irritating if your skin is sensitive. Overall, it’s a great mask for combo or oily skin, especially if you want that clean-but-not-dry feeling. Available at Aveda and Harvey Nichols

Aveda Botanical Kinetics™ Instant Luminizer ($58.00)

This is the kind of exfoliant you reach for when your skin looks dull, tired, or just… meh. It’s super lightweight and goes on like a serum, but it’s actually a gentle liquid exfoliant with plant-based AHAs like lactic and tartaric acid. You don’t feel it working, but give it a few days and your skin starts looking smoother, glowier, and way more even. It’s got that classic Aveda spa scent (herbal, kinda luxe), which is great unless you’re sensitive to fragrance. But if your skin can handle it, this is a great exfoliant that will make your complexion glow. Just note, it doesn’t speed up cell turnover as fast as other acids, like Glycolic Acid. That doesn’t make it worse. It makes it gentler (unless you have a problem with fragrance, that is). Available at Aveda

Related: Lactic Acid VS Glycolic Acid: Which One Should You Use?

Aveda Tulasara™ Calm Concentrate ($68.00)

This is one of those products that doesn’t feel like it’s doing much at first, but give it a minute. It’s super lightweight, sinks in fast, and after a few days, it makes your skin look less red and reactive. It’s loaded with anti-inflammatory ingredients, like ginger and chamomile, and it’s designed to calm everything down without clogging you up. It does have a light fragrance (classic Aveda herbal vibes), so if your skin freaks out over scented products, maybe tread lightly. But if you’re dealing with irritation or just want something soothing under your moisturizer, this is a really solid option that doesn’t feel heavy or greasy. Available at Aveda and Harvey Nicholas

Aveda Outer Peace™ Foaming Cleanser ($31.00)

Most foaming cleansers leave my skin feeling tight and over-stripped, but this one’s different. The Aveda Outer Peace Foaming Cleanser is way gentler than most — it gives you that clean, refreshed feeling without making your face feel dry or irritated after. It lathers up just enough, rinses off easily, and has that signature Aveda herbal smell that makes it feel kind of spa-like. It has a sprinkle of salicylic acid, but don’t let that fool you, it doesn’t do anything here. Still, it’s a good, calming cleanser. Available at Aveda

Aveda Botanical Kinetics™ All-Sensitive™Cleanser ($43.00)

The Aveda Botanical Kinetics All Sensitive Cleanser is one of the better ones from the line if your skin’s easily irritated. It’s super gentle, fragrance-free, and doesn’t leave your face feeling tight, which is a win if most cleansers mess with your barrier. It does have salicylic acid listed, but it’s barely there and not doing much in terms of exfoliation or breakout control. So don’t buy it for that. But if you just want a no-fuss, calming cleanser that won’t cause drama, this one does the job. Available at Aveda

What Are The OK Aveda Skincare Products?

These products aren’t bad. They’re just average. They sort of do what they claim – and they could be better formulated, that’s all…

Aveda Tulasara™ Firm Concentrate ($68.00)

This one sounds promising. It’s called Firm Concentrate, it’s got vitamin C and peptides, and it’s part of the pricier Tulasāra line. But honestly? It doesn’t deliver. There’s only a small amount of vitamin C (not enough to really brighten or do anything meaningful), and the peptides… well, they sound impressive, but there’s no solid proof they actually firm skin.

What it does do is hydrate and maybe offer a bit of antioxidant protection, but that’s about it. It’s in the worst section because it doesn’t fulfil its main promise. If it had been marketed as a hydrating antioxidant serum, it may have ended up in the best of list instead. Crazy, right? Available at Aveda

Aveda Botanical Kinetics™ Intense Hydrating Masque ($34.00)

The Aveda Botanical Kinetics Intense Hydrating Masque isn’t bad. It’s just too basic. Loaded with sodium hyaluronate, it’s a simple, gel-like mask that gives a hit of hydration, but that’s literally all it does. No extra soothing, no added skin benefits — just moisture. If your skin’s super thirsty and you want something straightforward, sure, it works. But for the price, I expect more than just a basic drink of water. There are way more interesting hydrating masks out there that actually do something beyond the bare minimum. Available at Aveda

Aveda Botanical Kinetics™ Purifying Gel Cleanser ($33.00)

Despite the name, there’s nothing actually purifying about this cleanser. The surfactants are super gentle (which isn’t a bad thing), but it doesn’t really do much beyond a basic cleanse – no ingredients that help with breakouts, congestion, or oil control. And it even contains oil, which feels a bit off for something marketed as a purifying gel. It’s fine if you just want a soft, non-stripping face wash, but calling it “purifying” is a stretch. Don’t expect it to deep clean or clear anything up. It’s basically a gentle gel cleanser with a fancy name. Available at Aveda, John Lewis, and Nordstrom

Aveda Botanical Kinetics™ Intense Hydrator ($58.00)

The Aveda Botanical Kinetics Intense Hydrator is a solid, no-frills option if you’re just looking to boost hydration without layering on a ton of product. It’s packed with humectants like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, which help pull moisture into the skin. It’s not groundbreaking, but it does what it says: hydrates, absorbs fast, and plays well with the rest of your routine. If you’re after something simple and reliable, this is a decent choice. Just don’t expect any big glow or skin transformation. It’s good, just not exciting. Available at Aveda and Look Fantastic

What Are The Worst Aveda Skincare Products?

Aveda Botanical Kinetics™ Toning Mist ($28.00)

Not gonna lie, I’m not the biggest fan of toning mists in general. They usually feel like fancy water with a nice scent and not much else. This one’s no exception. The Aveda Botanical Kinetics Toning Mist looks pretty, smells nice, but doesn’t really do anything for my skin. It’s got way too much alcohol in it, and that’s basically what you feel the second it hits your face — a cool mist followed by a bit of tightness. If you’ve got oily skin, you might enjoy the refreshing feel, but for me it’s just drying and kind of pointless. You’re better off saving your money or putting it toward something that actually treats your skin.

Aveda Tulasara™ Bright Concentrate ($68.00)

This Bright Concentrate  promises brighter, more even-toned skin — and while it does have a few ingredients that can help with discolouration (like liquorice root and molasses extract), they’re either in pretty small amounts or just not as proven as things like arbutin or azelaic acid. So while it sounds like it’ll fade dark spots, don’t expect dramatic results. It hydrates and gives a nice glow with regular use, but if you’re dealing with stubborn hyperpigmentation, this probably won’t cut it. It’s more of a feel-good serum than a heavy-hitting brightening treatment — pretty bottle, decent texture, but not a must-have.

Aveda Botanical Kinetics™ Exfoliating Creme Cleanser ($36.00)

Not a fan of this one. The Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliating Creme Cleanser uses physical exfoliants, and that’s already a red flag for me. It might feel gentle at first, but using something with tiny scrubbies every single day (which most people will, since it’s a cleanser) can easily lead to irritation, especially if your skin’s even slightly sensitive. Plus, physical exfoliation just isn’t the most effective option anymore — there are better, gentler ways to smooth skin without the risk of overdoing it. This one’s creamy, smells nice, sure… but for me, it’s a pass.

What Are The Best Aveda Products For Acne?

• Aveda Botanical Kinetics™ Deep Cleansing Clay Masque ($34.00): It won’t zap pimples on the spot, but it will suck up all that extra oil your skin loves to overproduce. Less oil = fewer breakouts. Plus, your pores will look way less noticeable with regular use. Available at Aveda and Harvey Nichols

What Are The Best Aveda Products For Wrinkles?

• Aveda Botanical Kinetics™ Instant Luminizer ($58.00): It’s a gentle exfoliant that gives your skin a fresh glow, smooths out fine lines a bit, and fades dark spots over time. Is it retinol? No. But if your skin freaks out at stronger stuff, this is a way safer bet. Available at Aveda

What Are The Best Aveda Products For Dark Spots?

• Aveda Botanical Kinetics™ Instant Luminizer ($58.00): Yep, the Instant Luminizer comes to the rescue again. It’s packed with AHAs that slowly lift away uneven, dull skin and help new, brighter skin come through. It takes time, but it works—and you get that lit-from-within glow while you wait. Available at Aveda

What Are The Best Aveda Products For Sensitive Skin?

• Aveda Tulasara™ Calm Concentrate ($68.00): It does have fragrance (heads up!), but it’s also full of calming ingredients that help take the edge off redness and irritation. If your skin’s having a tantrum and fragrance doesn’t usually bother you, this might be exactly what it needs. Available at Aveda and Harvey Nicholas

Is Aveda Skincare Cruelty-Free?

Totally. Aveda is cruelty-free. They don’t test on animals, they don’t sell in countries that do, and they’re Leaping Bunny certified, which basically means they’ve done all the right things to earn that little bunny badge. So yeah, you can use their stuff without stressing about what went on behind the scenes.

P.S. It’s also B corp certified. That’s always good to know. 

The Pros Of Aveda Skincare

Here are a couple of reasons to pay a visit to any Aveda stores in town or shop on the online store:

1. If your skin hates strong actives, it’s an option: Not everyone’s skin can handle retinol or high-percentage acids. Aveda skincare products use plant-derived oils and nourishing ingredients that deeply hydrate and soften skin without irritation.
2. The textures and formulas feel luxe: The facial oils, hydrating mask, and the rest of the line go on like silk. They’re well-formulated in terms of user experience. No pilling, no weird finishes… Just smooth application and nice wear.

​The Cons Of Aveda Skincare

Not for the not so nice side of Aveda:

1. Fragrance overload: Even the gentlest products are packed with essential oils and strong scents. The rosemary mint scent may smell divine, but if your skin’s sensitive or reactive, that’s a huge nope. 
2. Way too mild for real results: Have serious skin concerns and are trying to fade dark spots, clear acne, or fight fine lines? Aveda’s just not built for that. It skips all the hard-hitting actives, so you’re basically paying spa prices for a glorified moisturiser. Even when they claim they have strong actives like beta hydroxy acid, they use plants with it instead of the pire thing. You may not like to hear it, but botanical repair doesn’t work as well as pure actives. 
3. Expensive for what it does.
   You’re mostly paying for the brand, the vibe, and the experience – not necessarily for top-tier ingredients or performance. That’s cool, if you know it and that’s what you want. 

Aveda Skincare Review: The Verdict

If you’re after serious results, like clearing up breakouts, fading dark spots, or smoothing out fine lines, Aveda probably isn’t your hero. The formulas are gentle, but maybe too gentle, and the heavy fragrance won’t do sensitive skin any favours. That said, if your skin’s pretty chill, you love a luxe-feeling routine, and you care about sustainability, Aveda has its place. It’s skincare that feels good to use and looks nice on your shelf, but you’ll get better results elsewhere if performance is the priority. And if you’re wondering about products for men? Men’s skin isn’t that different, so your main man indeed share your moisturiser. Phew!