Okay, so I’ve been on this whole “better hand cream” journey lately. You know, trying to find something that actually works and doesn’t just smell nice for five seconds. I kept seeing Grown Alchemist and Aesop pop up, so I figured, why not? Let’s do a little head-to-head.
The Contenders
I grabbed the Grown Alchemist Vanilla & Orange Peel Hand Cream and the Aesop Reverence Aromatique Hand Balm. Both seemed pretty popular, and both promised intense hydration. Game on.
Round 1: First Impressions
Unboxing: Both came in pretty minimalist, chic tubes. Aesop’s is that classic aluminum, kind of industrial-cool. Grown Alchemist’s is a more standard plastic, but still looks nice on my desk.
Scent: Okay, this is where things started to diverge. The Grown Alchemist one smells exactly like what it says – vanilla and orange. It’s sweet, but not sickly sweet, and the orange gives it a nice zing. The Aesop… well, it’s definitely “aromatique.” It’s got this smoky, woody, almost earthy scent. It’s not bad, per se, but it’s definitely strong and lingers. My husband hated it, my best friend loved it – super polarizing.
Texture: Grown Alchemist felt a little thicker and richer going on. Aesop was a bit more… greasy, I guess? It took a little longer to absorb.
Round 2: The Wear Test
I used Grown Alchemist on my left hand and Aesop on my right for a full week. Here’s what I discovered:
- Hydration: Honestly, both did a pretty good job here. My hands felt noticeably softer and smoother after just a day or two. No more dry, cracked knuckles, which is a win in my book.
- Absorption: Like I said, Aesop took a bit longer to fully sink in. Grown Alchemist absorbed pretty quickly, which I appreciated. I hate that sticky feeling.
- Long-Term Effects: After a week, I felt like both were still performing well. My hands felt consistently hydrated, even with all the hand-washing I do.
Round 3: The Verdict
I put these product to use by consistently applying it, noticing the texture, and comparing it’s benefits.
This is tough. Both are good hand creams. But if I had to pick just one… I’m going with Grown Alchemist.
Why? A few reasons:
- The Scent: I just prefer the vanilla-orange. It’s uplifting and pleasant without being overpowering.
- The Absorption: It sinks in faster, which is a big plus for me.
- The Price: While both are definitely in the “treat yourself” category, Grown Alchemist is slightly more affordable. Every little bit helps, right?
That being said, if you’re into that earthy, smoky scent, and you don’t mind a slightly greasier feel, you might actually prefer the Aesop. It’s really a matter of personal preference. But for me, Grown Alchemist is the winner of this hand cream showdown!
