Aesop’s luxury apothecary vibe is hard to resist, but the brand’s products are pricey. So, beauty writer Jen Barton reveals the best budget-friendly alternatives that deliver the same soothing scents and high-performance results.
Aesop – the Australian skincare brand known for its minimalist packaging, plant-powered formulations and signature botanical scents — has taken over the bathrooms of the chicest around.
Founded in 1987, it’s now a global cult favourite, with its products appearing everywhere from Instagram to high-end beauty shelves.
Aesop’s soaps, hand washes, candles and home fragrances, including the iconic Post-Poo Drops, have turned everyday routines into rituals. But with prices starting at £33 for a 500ml bottle of hand soap, it’s not always realistic to indulge in its luxurious offerings. Enter dupes.
From almost identical packaging to spot-on scents and skin-loving formulas, there are a growing number of affordable alternatives that rival the iconic brand.
As someone who’s obsessed with Aesop, but on a supermarket skincare budget, I’ve rounded up the best alternatives, starting at under £3.
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@living360_uk Obsessed ✨ @LidlGB has come through with some truly amazing beauty dupes #lidl #dupe #lidldupe #beautyhack
Best Aesop dupes
1. Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash (£33 for 500ml) dupe: Element Brooklyn Mandarin Crush Hand Soap refill (£23 for 1L)
Element Brooklyn’s hand soap refills are inspired by Aesop’s most-loved fragrances, and the Mandarin Crush soap is no exception.
With a beautiful blend of orange, cedarwood and rosemary, it’s a luxury scent at a fraction of the price.
Plus, it’s refillable, making it a more sustainable option for your bathroom.
Buy from Element Brooklyn for £23.
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2. Aesop Citrus Melange Body Cleanser (£39 for 500ml) dupe: Lidl Deluxe Aromatic Body Cleanser in Citrus Melange (£2.99 for 500ml)
If you’re after Aesop’s Citrus Melange body wash, Lidl’s budget-friendly alternative is just as refreshing, with sweet orange, petit-grain and lemon.
The best part? It comes in sleek packaging that rivals Aesop’s signature minimalist look — and costs a mere £2.99.
Buy in-store at Lidl.
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3. Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash (£33 for 500ml) dupe: Baylis & Harding Goodness Oud, Cedar and Amber Hand Wash (£4.20 for 500ml)
A TikTok favourite, Baylis & Harding’s Oud, Cedar and Amber hand wash has a similar rich, woody scent to Aesop’s beloved Resurrection formula.
Made with 98% naturally derived ingredients, this is a clean, budget-friendly alternative that doesn’t skimp on quality.
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4. Aesop Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash (£33 for 500ml) dupe: Grown Alchemist Exfoliating Hand Wash (£29 for 500ml)
For those who adore Aesop’s Reverence hand wash, Grown Alchemist’s exfoliating formula makes a worthy competitor.
It’s infused with vanilla, orange peel and fine pumice to gently exfoliate, leaving your hands soft and smooth.
It’s almost identical in fragrance and formula, with the added bonus of being a little more affordable.
5. Aesop Marrakech Intense EDP (£145 for 50ml) dupe: M&S Apothecary Warmth EDP (£12 for 50ml)
M&S’s Apothecary Warmth fragrance has become a cult favourite, and for good reason.
With notes of cardamom, cinnamon, cedarwood and sandalwood, it’s strikingly similar to Aesop’s Marrakech Intense, which is beloved for its spicy, woodsy aroma.
Plus, at just £12 for 50ml, it’s a steal.
6. Aesop Post-Poo Drops (£27 for 100ml) dupe: The Somerset Toiletry Co. Repair the Air Toilet Drops (£7.95 for 95ml)
Aesop’s Post-Poo Drops are the bathroom luxury we didn’t know we needed, but The Somerset Toiletry Co.’s Repair the Air drops offer an affordable alternative with similar ingredients, including mandarin and ylang ylang, at a fraction of the price.
Buy from The Somerset Toiletry Co. for £7.95.
Feature image: Canva/Aesop
