It’s been some months since I integrated a number of Susanne Kaufmann’s skincare products into my skincare routine, so I thought it about time for a review! Susanne Kaufmann is a holistic skincare brand hailing from Austria. Its minimalist style and sustainable principles have always caught my eye, so when I was invited to try their products I jumped at the chance!
Who Is Susanne Kaufmann?
Susanne Kaufmann is an Austrian hotelier. She originally began developing her own range of beauty products while the fifth-generation family owner of Hotel Post Bezau (yes, you can visit). The products were developed for the hotel spa, focusing on a combination of traditional spa practices and modern day science. The eponymous brand continues this ethos, putting natural botanics at the forefront of its line, with wellness principles and clinical results attributed to each product.
Are Susanne Kaufmann Products Sustainable?
As a sustainability expert and beauty obsessive, I really enjoy writing reviews like this. They bring together my professional scrutiny, and my love for all things skincare! For this review, I tried out the following Susanne Kaufmann products (gifted) for three months:
- Purifying Cleansing Gel
- Nutrient Serum
- Nourishing Day Cream
- Mountain Pine Bath Oil
Susanne Kaufmann makes bold statements when it comes to the sustainability of their skincare. Simply Googling the brand will lead you to find statements like “We Care for the Planet” and “Skincare that’s as sustainable as possible.” They’re big claims, so I was expecting big results.
Susanne Kaufmann Skincare Products, Reviewed
Here’s my honest review of each product, with a summary and overall rating shown at the end:
Purifying Cleansing Gel Review
I’ve been using the Purifying Cleansing Gel* (gifted) both morning and night for over three months now. As someone with sensitive skin, I was worried this cleanser would be a little too harsh on my skin. However, it’s well balanced, and leaves my skin feeling clean without being too drying.
This is most likely down to the blend of botanical ingredients including Alpine willowherb extract (clarifying), masterwort extract (revitalising) and hyaluronic acid (hydrating). It also contains bisabolol, a compound of camomile oil, which is said to soothes the skin and reduce inflammation.
I only need one small pump to wash my face and neck, and so far I’ve used around a fifth of the bottle, meaning one bottle may last up to a year.
The product itself is designed for normal to oily skin types, so in the future I’d like to try the Soothing Cleansing Milk*.
Nutrient Serum Review
Onto my favourite Susanne Kaufmann cosmetic – the Nutrient Serum. I use a serum in my typical skincare routine as standard, and the Nutrient Serum quickly became the one I reach for every time.
The serum is thin – almost like water – but one small pump is very easily enough across my face and neck. It has a clean, botanical scent, and quickly smoothes across my skin, leaves it feeling hydrated. The brand’s clinical study results also echo this – after 28 days, you can expect a 34% increase in hydration, 15% increase in firmness, and 8% increase in elasticity.
With a blend of houseleek and marigold extracts (soothing), pomegranate extract (firmness) and hyaluronic acid (hydrating), it makes sense that my skin feels softer and more hydrated afterwards. And just like the Cleansing Gel, a little goes a long way.
Nourishing Day Cream Review
Following the Nutrient Serum, I like to use the Nourishing Day Cream*. My skin drinks up moisturiser so I like to use two pumps of this morning and night, and I have to say I really like the precise pump on this product – it may be plastic, but it helps me to measure out the exact amount of moisturiser I want.
The moisturiser itself sits squarely in the middle between thin and thick, making it easy to apply and quick to absorb. It has a light botanical scent, less strong than the serum.
This moisturiser is made for dry and sensitive skin, which actually surprises me a little, as it’s quite light. If you don’t like heavier creams but need real hydration, this is the perfect moisturiser for you. Again, this product is made with botanical extracts (schisandra fruit, jojoba oil, Alpine rose) and underpinned with hyaluronic acid.
Mountain Pine Bath Oil Review
On Sunday mornings I have a little bath time ritual, and the Susanne Kaufmann Mountain Pine Bath Oil* has become a firm favourite as part of that. It transports me to a calm, pine forest with every use, and while deeply scented, isn’t overwhelming. As a bath oil, it doesn’t foam or create bubbles, but I actually quite like that. I’m very careful with bath products I use, as I’ve found some clog my pores, but this bath oil doesn’t leave any residue.
If you like natural scented bath products, this is the holy grail. I like to hang eucalyptus leaves in my shower, and the Mountain Pine Bath Oil compliments their forest scent. It also makes for a nicer choice than some of the more synthetic bath soaks out there.
Is Susanne Kaufmann cruelty-free?
Yes. Their website states: All our products are cruelty free. We have never, nor shall we ever, test on animals. I also personally avoid all beauty products that are not cruelty-free.
Who makes Susanne Kaufmann’s beauty products?
On their website, Susanne Kaufmann transparently shares how their products are made in their Austrian factory. I assume from the way they write that they own their the majority of their production line, and with it, have integrated green systems, such as renewable energy, and a state-of-the-art solar-powered emulsion and gel mixing unit. They also partner with Ingo Metzler, another Austrian natural cosmetics manufacturer.
Are Susanne Kaufmann products recyclable?
Susanne Kaufmann uses recyclable and recycled packaging materials to reduce plastic waste. With much of the SK line coming in recyclable packaging, they encourage customers to recycle hard plastics and glass with their home recycling schemes. Refills can also be recycled, however they do not note that some local schemes (for example, here in the UK) do not offer soft plastic recycling.
My Overall Rating of Susanne Kaufmann Skincare: 8/10
I’m a big fan of the Susanne Kaufmann range. With sustainable credentials that go much further than brands like Dr. Barbara Sturm or Sunday Riley, and products that truly perform, I feel confident recommending them. Their cosmetics look and feel high quality, and are also incredibly long lasting. I’m yet to try their refills, but I’d like to once these run out.
Susanne Kaufmann is available to purchase at Cult Beauty*, John Lewis*, and Nauturisimo.
