Is Esker Beauty's body care actually worth the upgrade?
Esker Beauty has built a following on treating body care with the same intention as facial skincare — botanical oils, a patent-pending exfoliating tool, and shower rituals that have landed in Vogue, Allure, and The Wall Street Journal. Here's whether the formulas and tools hold up to that press coverage.
What is Esker Beauty?
Esker Beauty is a U.S.-based body care brand founded by Shannon Davenport, built around the idea that the skin below the neck deserves the same formulation care as facial skincare. The brand is known for its CO2-extracted botanical oils (a process the founder adopted specifically to make ingredients like carrot seed oil more pleasant to use), its patent-pending Body Plane exfoliating tool, and ritual-focused products like shower steamers and mineral bath soaks. Esker has been featured in Vogue, Allure, GQ, Real Simple, InStyle, and The Wall Street Journal, and is also sold through Ulta's Wellness shop.
What you get, what you give up
- Real editorial credibility — detailed, hands-on positive coverage from outlets like Who What Wear alongside broader mentions in Vogue, Allure, and The Wall Street Journal
- The CO2 extraction method is a genuine formulation choice, not just marketing language — it's specifically used to make ingredients like carrot seed oil smell and feel better without losing their benefits
- The Body Plane tool has organic word-of-mouth behind it, with independent user videos describing visible exfoliation and smoother skin after use
- A 30-day free return window is more generous than many direct-to-consumer beauty brands offer
- Genuine sustainability touches — plantable candles and a portion of purchases funding pollinator habitat restoration — that go beyond a green logo
- Also available through Ulta, giving a mainstream retail option if you prefer not to order direct
- Independent review volume is still fairly modest (single digits to low dozens on most third-party platforms), so it's worth reading a handful of specific product reviews rather than relying on an aggregate score
- Pricing sits in premium territory for body care — a body oil runs about the same as many facial serums
- Formulas are scent-forward by design; if you're fragrance-sensitive or prefer unscented body care, the essential oil blends may be too strong, and reviewers have specifically asked for unscented options
- Several bestsellers (washes especially) have shown "notify me" out-of-stock status at times, suggesting demand can outpace restocking
- The at-home body planing ritual takes real time and isn't something most people will do daily
Six products worth knowing before you order
From the signature exfoliating tool to a mineral soak, here's a cross-section of the current bestsellers.
What's actually behind the ritual positioning
CO2 extraction, not just cold-pressed oils
Founder Shannon Davenport has spoken about choosing CO2 extraction specifically because it makes ingredients like carrot seed oil more pleasant to use than the funky, barnyard-like scent of traditionally steam-distilled versions — a real technical choice rather than a marketing buzzword.
Body planing as a distinct category
The Body Plane is positioned as a gua-sha-style tool for the body rather than the face — used with oil to physically buff away buildup and support lymphatic drainage, according to both the brand and independent user demonstrations.
Concentrated botanical scent profiles
Each product leans on specific essential oils — eucalyptus for clarity, lavender for calm, ylang ylang for warmth — chosen deliberately for both skin benefit and sensory experience, which is why the scent intensity is a genuine consideration before buying full-size.
Sustainability built into the packaging
The plantable candles are designed to be replanted after use, and every purchase contributes to the Pollinator Partnership's wildflower habitat restoration work — a concrete sustainability angle rather than a vague claim.
When to buy — and what to double-check
✔ Esker Beauty is a great fit if you
- Already treat your facial skincare seriously and want to extend that same intention to body care
- Enjoy scent-forward, aromatherapy-style rituals as part of your self-care routine
- Are curious about body planing or dry brushing and want a well-reviewed starting tool
- Value genuine sustainability touches like plantable packaging over generic green claims
✘ Consider elsewhere if you
- Are fragrance-sensitive or prefer unscented body care products
- Want body care as a quick daily basic rather than a slower, ritual-style routine
- Are shopping on a tight budget — this sits in premium body care pricing
- Want a brand with a much larger volume of independent reviews before committing
Esker Beauty vs. other clean body care brands
| Brand | Price | Known for | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Esker Beauty | $18–$85 | CO2-extracted oils, Body Plane tool | Ritual-focused, scent-forward body care |
| OSEA | ~$20–$90 | Seaweed-based marine skincare | Ocean-derived actives across face and body |
| Necessaire | ~$18–$45 | Minimalist, fragrance-light formulas | Shoppers who want body care with less scent |
Quick answers
Is Esker Beauty worth the premium price for body care?
For people who want to bring facial-skincare-level formulation to body care, reviewers and beauty editors generally say yes — the CO2-extracted oils and concentrated botanical blends are genuinely more considered than typical drugstore body care. If you mainly want a functional daily lotion, though, the price premium may not feel necessary.
What is the Body Plane, and is it worth trying?
It's a patent-pending, gua-sha-style body tool used with oil on damp or dry skin to physically exfoliate and support lymphatic drainage. Independent user reviews describe visible dead skin removal and smoother skin with regular use — it's a genuine tool-based ritual rather than a passive product, so it suits people willing to spend a few extra minutes on the process.
What's the return policy?
Esker Beauty offers free returns within 30 days of delivery. Contact customer service by email to start a return, and refunds are processed back to your original payment method.
Are the scents too strong for sensitive users?
Reviewers are split — most love the aromatherapy-style intensity, but a few have specifically requested an unscented option for days they don't want a strong scent. If you're fragrance-sensitive, consider starting with a smaller size before committing to a full-size bottle.
8.5/10 — Body care with real formulation intention, priced accordingly
Esker Beauty backs up its "body care as ritual" positioning with genuine technical choices — CO2 extraction, a patent-pending exfoliating tool, and concentrated botanical blends that editors and independent reviewers consistently describe as a step above typical drugstore options. The tradeoffs are straightforward: premium pricing, strong scent profiles that won't suit everyone, and a review base that's still growing. If a slower, more intentional body care routine appeals to you, this is one of the more credible brands actually delivering on that promise.
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