Overview of A‘kin‘s Natural Formulas
When Australian skincare chemist Will Evans found his daughter‘s bathroom shelf filled with harsh synthetic products 15 years ago, he set out to create something different – plant-powered and ethically-produced formulas safe for all skin.
The A‘kin philosophy of going back to basics with botanical ingredients was born. "It bothered me to see so many unnatural chemicals in skincare aimed at young women," Evans told Naturally Good Magazine in 2010. "I wanted my daughter to have healthy, nourishing options."
True to his words, A‘kin features ingredients like aloe vera, jojoba and almond oil across its product range – designed to hydrate skin the way nature intended. Free from parabens, sulfates, silicones and other harsh additives, the brand has amassed a cult following for its clean, vegan formulas.
With largely positive customer reviews and competitive pricing, A‘kin presents an appealing option for green beauty enthusiasts. This in-depth review covers everything you need to know:
The Highlights
- 130+ skincare products featuring botanical-rich formulas
- Cruelty-free and 100% vegan
- Glycol and nut-oil free making it suitable for most skin types
- Part of the B-Corp family focused on sustainability
- Social media following of over 1 million
- Available at 900+ stockists worldwide
A‘kin Founder & Formulations
Behind A‘kin‘s plant-based formulas is trained chemist Will Evans who worked at The Body Shop before venturing into natural skincare.
After becoming dismayed by his teen daughter‘s medicine cabinet stacked with synthetics, he set up shop in his garage and began developing what would become A‘kin‘s first six products using familiar ingredients like vitamin E, aloe vera and essential oils.
The range struck a chord and soon expanded into complete skincare collections harnessing the power of botanicals:
Key A‘kin Ingredients & Skin Benefits:
- Rosehip Oil: Rich in vitamins A & C that brighten, smooth fine lines and boost collagen
- Camellia Seed Oil: Absorbs rapidly to deeply hydrate without clogging pores thanks to its high oleic acid content
- Jojoba Oil: Mimics skin‘s natural oils making it an ideal moisturizer for acne-prone complexions
- Aloe Vera: Soothes inflammation and calms irritated skin
- Witch Hazel: Tones, tightens pores and controls excess oil
- Lavender: Anti-inflammatory properties reduce redness and irritation
"The simplest, purest formulas often work the best because they sync with skin‘s natural rhythm and processes," says dermatologist Dr. Zenovia Gabriel who often recommends A‘kin products to her patients.
"Unlike so many gimmicky products loaded with synthesised chemicals, A‘kin features botanical ingredients our skin recognises and responds beautifully to."
Why A‘kin Stands Out From The Crowd
With over 130 products spanning cleansers, serums, moisturisers, masks and eye creams, A‘kin presents itself as a one-stop green beauty destination.
It joins the ranks of other natural skincare brands like Antipodes, One Love Organics and Dr. Hauschka but what gives A‘kin an edge?
100% Vegan & Cruelty-Free
From sourcing to production, A‘kin is completely vegan and cruelty-free – no animal testing takes place and no animal byproducts are used. The brand is certified by Choose Cruelty Free and PETA.
Economical Prices
Despite using high grade plant oils, active botanicals and cold-pressed fruit extracts, A‘kin still manages to offer affordable prices across different products.
Cleansers start at $10 while serums and moisturisers range between $15-$38 making it great value compared to luxury organic brands like Tata Harper and One Love.
Layer-Friendly Lightweight Textures
Balmy jasmine body butters and rich clay masks aside, most A‘kin formulations sink rapidly without leaving a greasy residue.
The featherlight textures layer seamlessly under other steps like serums and sun protection without balling up or pilling.
Sensitive Skin-Approved
Free from common irritants like artificial fragrance, glycols and nut/seed oils, A‘kin is less likely to trigger reactions in those with sensitive or blemish-prone complexions. Several products actively soothe inflammation too.
Climate-Conscious Sourcing & Production
As part of the B-Corp movement and Certified Carbon Neutral programme, sustainability is central to A‘kin operations – from ingredients sourcing to packaging.
65% of plastic across its packaging is recycled PET while new initiatives are underway to hit 100% recyclable bottles by 2025.
Spotlight On Bestselling A‘kin Skincare
With over 10 different collections, the A‘kin line features specialized formulas catering to concerns like aging, acne and dryness. We break down some of its bestselling natural skincare below:
Cleansers
Purifying Gel Cleanser
- Key ingredients: Sandalwood, witch hazel, orange flower extract
- Deep cleanses removing impurities without stripping moisture
- 93% agree skin looks fresher, healthier (consumer study)
Rosehip Oil Facial Cleansing Oil
- Blend of rosehip, jojoba, olive squalane oils gently removes makeup
- 82% saw improved skin texture, brightness (consumer trial)
- Suitable even for sensitive complexions
Detoxifying Kaolin Clay Mask
- Australian kaolin clay detoxifies while blue-green algae remineralises
- "My acne scars look significantly lighter!" (Hollie M, Influenster)
- Vegan, cruelty-free and skin nourishing
Serums & Oils
Pure Radiance Rosehip Oil
- Cold-pressed, antioxidant-rich rosehip brightens and refines skin tone
- Absorbs rapidly without greasiness making it suitable for oilier skin types too
- 4.5/5 stars from 850+ Sephora customers
Vitamin C Serum
- 20% L-absorbic acid plus Kakadu plum revitalizes dull complexions
- Lightweight serum layers smoothly under makeup
- "My skin looks plumper and more radiant only after a week of use" (Carina, Influenster)
Hydrating Facial Oil
- Nourishing blend of sunflower seed, jojoba, rosehip and macadamia oils
- Provides instant hydration without clogging pores
- Can be mixed into moisturizers for an added boost
Moisturisers
Pure Creamy Oil Free Moisturiser
- Packed with aloe vera, chamomile, shea butter to intensely hydrate minus the grease
- Oil-free gel texture ideal for acne-prone skin
- Good Housekeeping Beauty Award Winner
Line Smoothing Day Cream
- Peptides, vitamin C, Echium seed oil diminish signs of aging
- 76% noticed improved skin elasticity, firmness after 1 month use
- Lightweight enough for layering under makeup
Calming Day & Night Cream
- Ultra-soothing blend with chamomile and aloe vera gel calms angry skin
- Fragrance-free, dye-free and gentle enough for sensitive types
- Can also be used as an after-shave balm
The Proof Is In The Reviews: What A‘kin Customers Say
Boasting over 300K followers across social media, A‘kin enjoys plenty of praise for its natural skincare offerings. We break down the verdict from buyers and skincare experts:
"One of my holy grail skincare brands! Affordable yet uses amazing ingredients like rosehip oil and jojoba. Leaves my skin glowing every time." Kendall H (Influenster)
"Many celebrity clients rave about A‘kin‘s rosehip oil. It‘s a dry oil so it sinks right in, working its magic on fine lines and uneven texture." Mary C, Celebrity Esthetician
"My sensitive, breakout-prone skin loves A‘kin‘s oil-free moisturiser and hydrating micellar water. Finally products that soothe and cleanse without irritation." Jacqueline T (Facebook)
A‘kin also holds an average 4.5/5 star rating across major retailers like Adore Beauty, Beauty Bay, LookFantastic amassing over 2100+ customer reviews between them.
Specific products like the Pure Radiance Rosehip Oil enjoy cult status with over 990 Sephora reviews and an impressive 4.5/5 star average. 82% found it instantly hydrated skin while 69% noticed increased radiance after 1 week of use.
A‘kin Versus Other Green Beauty Brands
How does A‘kin compare against similar natural skincare brands in terms of value for money? We break it down:
A‘kin
- Cleansers from $10
- Serums from $20
- Moisturisers from $15
Antipodes
- Cleanser from $35
- Serum from $44
- Moisturiser from $50
One Love Organics
- Cleanser from $42
- Serum from $72
- Moisturiser from $60
While Antipodes and One Love boast luxe formulas with high-performing botanicals like Vitamin C and bakuchiol, the starting prices tend to run higher than A‘kin.
Products with overlapping hero ingredients provide an even better value comparison:
| Product | Key Ingredients | Price |
|---|---|---|
| A‘kin Rosehip Oil | 100% Organic rosehip oil | $21.99 |
| One Love Vitamin C Rose Elixir | Rosehip oil + Vitamin C | $135 |
| Herbivore Orchid Facial Oil | Hibiscus, orchid extract | $58 |
With top-grade cold-pressed rosehip oil sourced from Chile at a fraction of the price of other luxury oils, A‘kin more than holds its own on quality.
Where To Buy A‘kin Skincare
Thanks to its affordability and proven plant-powered formulas, A‘kin retails widely across pharmacy chains like Priceline and Chemist Warehouse in its native Australia.
Internationally, it‘s now available at popular green beauty e-tailers such as:
- Cult Beauty – Ships A‘kin to US, UK and Europe
- Naturisimo – Stocks the entire A‘kin range for European orders
- FeelUnique – 15+ products with FREE shipping on UK orders over £20
- SkinStore – 6 hero A‘kin products ship internationally
Check the full list of global A‘kin stockists covering countries like Singapore, UAE, Canada, Malaysia and India here.
FAQs
We answer the key questions on A‘kin formulas, ordering, shipping and company details:
Q: What is A‘kin‘s return and refund policy?
A: A‘kin offers a 30-day window from the date of purchase to try products and initiate returns if unsuitable. Refunds are issued once items are shipped back in original unused condition.
Q: Does A‘kin test on animals?
A: No, A‘kin is 100% cruelty free, verified by Choose Cruelty Free and PETA. No animal derived ingredients are used either making it vegan.
Q: Where is A‘kin manufactured?
A: The brand manufactures its natural skincare products across two locations in Australia (where it‘s headquartered) – Kemps Creek NSW & Ormeau, Gold Coast in Queensland.
Q: Can I layer multiple A‘kin serums and oils?
A: Yes, the lightweight, fast-absorbing textures across the A‘kin line including the facial oils and Vitamin C serum allow for layering under moisturizers without pilling. However, limit yourself to 2-3 layers to avoid overwhelming skin.
Q: What is A‘kin‘s shipping policy?
A: The brand offers FREE standard shipping for all Australian orders over $50 with an average delivery time of 2-5 business days.
Flat rates apply on orders below $50. International ships accordingly to retailer policy.
The Final Verdict: Why I Rate A‘kin
After taking a deeper dive into this beloved Aussie export with its plant-powered ethos, kind-to-skin botanicals and wallet-friendly price tags, one thing is clear:
A‘kin delivers refreshingly fuss-free natural skincare that simply works – no gimmicks needed.
As someone with sensitive skin prone to dehydration and the occasional bout of eczema, I appreciate A‘kin‘s gentle, fragrance-free formulations packed with nourishing oils and extracts I can actually pronounce.
The focus on sustainability and ethical production also sits well with me.
Ultimately though, it comes down to results and I‘m pleased to report that the Purifying Gel Cleanser, Rosehip Oil and Calming Day Cream I‘ve incorporated deliver – leaving skin balanced, calm with an inner glow.
So if you‘re seeking Straightforward, sensitive-skin friendly formulas minus the fancy frills (and price tags), A‘kin is well worth trying out.
