Table of Contents
About H2O Plus
H2O Plus is a skincare and beauty brand that emphasizes hydration, with product formulas and recommended regimens inspired by Japanese skincare. The brand has been featured in Forbes, Allure, Elite Daily, Glamour, The Today Show, and other major media outlets, and has a following of 150K on Facebook, 68K on Instagram, and 8K on Twitter.
Those are respectable social media numbers, but here’s the real buzz that this H2O Plus review has to drop on you: H2O Plus products line the counters of Disney World and Disneyland resort bathrooms. That’s right, they’ve got pride of place in the enchanted lavatories of the Magic Kingdom.
Impressed yet? Well hold on, as this H2O Plus review will give you a full rundown of the brand, its bestselling products, customer reviews, promos and discounts, shipping and return info, FAQs—the whole dang shebang.
Overview of H2O Plus
H2O Plus was founded in 1989 by Cindy Melk, who sought to shake up the skincare industry by creating a brand that sold innovative, clean products which would be inclusive for all skin types. And what’s one thing that all skin has in common? That’s right—water. It’s an essential element in all of our bodies, so why shouldn’t it be essential for our skincare?
The brand began manufacturing its products from its home base in Chicago, based on formulas created by a team of skincare experts in Japan and sourcing clean ingredients based on EU Cosmetic Regulations. All H2O Plus products are cruelty-free, and the brand uses recyclable packaging as much as possible.
H2O Plus got a bit of a shake-up in 2015 when the brand’s new CEO shut down the Chicago office and manufacturing facility and shifted the headquarters to San Francisco, as part of a revitalization plan to focus on the marketing and sales of the products and farm out the manufacturing.
Before we go any further in this H2O Plus review, we’ll run down some of the brand’s pros and cons.
Pros
- Wide range of products for skin, body, and hair care
- Made with clean and cruelty-free ingredients
- Save 10% off each order with subscription plan
- Free shipping for orders of $50 and up
- Very positive reviews about product quality
Cons
- No international shipping
- No free return shipping
- Some customer report breakouts from using certain products
Okay, now that we’ve got that checked off our to-do list, time to check out the products themselves. Ready to find out more about H2O Plus face products, not to mention body and hair care?
H2O Plus Review
As this brand sells so many products that it’s impossible for us to review ’em all (well, it is possible, but it would take a real long time and we’ve got errands we need to run), this H2O Plus review will sample some of the company’s bestsellers so you can get an idea of what they’re all about.
H2O Plus Refreshing Gel Moisturizer Review
Unsurprisingly, one of the brand’s top products is the H2O Plus Oasis hydrating treatment, the Refreshing Gel Moisturizer. Combining natural ingredients like apple stem cell and Japanese cedar bud extract with classic skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, this gel doesn’t just moisturize your skin, but works to renew it.
The H2O Plus face oasis moisturizer promises to double your hydration and boost your radiance for a full 24 hours. Just press this onto your face and neck after cleansing, and you’ll soon notice the difference this makes to the dull, dry skin that you’ve been fretting over.
Your face can soak up the luminosity, radiance, renewal, and hydration of the H2O Plus Refreshing Gel Moisturizer for $42, or you can sign up for one of the subscription options (for auto-delivery every 1-6 months) and knock it down to $38 per jar.
H2O Plus Gel Cream Moisturizer Review
A standout in the H2O Plus moisturizer catalogue, the adorably pink Gel Cream Moisturizer is generous with moisture, thanks to the brand’s trademark hydro-amino infusion formula. Using plant-based ingredients like hyssop and eyebright, this moisturizer is great for those with hyperpigmentation, irritation, general spottiness and redness, and/or sensitive skin.
The brand claims that the Gel Cream Moisturizer increases skin hydration by 113% (seriously, that’s the number they got back from an independent consumer study). Find out for yourself for $42, or subscribe and save 10%.
H2O Plus Gel Cleanser Review
Surely, you ask, there must be an H2O Plus cleanser? You betcha! The Gel Cleanser is perfect for all skin types, including the sensitive-skin babies out there. It isn’t so intense that it’ll feel like you’ve just ripped off a layer of epidermis (which is a disturbing image, and we apologize), so it’s ideal for everyday use.
The Gel Cleanser’s gentle but deep-acting formula will let you start the day with a fresh face when you apply it in the morning, and then scrub makeup and other buildup from your long day clean off at night. Say au revoir to redness and adieu to dryness with the Gel Cleanser, available as a one-time purchase for $28 and as a subscription for $25.
H2O Plus Eucalyptus Aloe Revitalizing Shampoo Review
The Eucalyptus Aloe Revitalizing Shampoo is all about energizing, shining, and revitalizing your (plus cleaning it, of course). Along with the two ingredients name-checked in the title, this H2O Plus shampoo contains other plant-based extracts like sunflower seed, kelp, and sea fennel to give you the deepest and most natural clean you can get.
(Psssst—if you tried out the H2O Plus Sea Marine Revitalizing Shampoo at a Disney resort and loved it, we’re here to tell you that this is the same one.)
There’s no subscription option for this one and only one size, so if you want the Eucalyptus Aloe Revitalizing Shampoo you’re gonna have to pony up $20, no ifs, ands, or buts.
H2O Plus Cream Soap Bar Review
The Cream Soap Bar is exactly what it sounds like: an H2O Plus soap that is creamy and cleansy (that’s a word, right?) all at once. It smells like sea salt and green tea, which makes for a relaxing, inviting aroma. Major beach vibes on this one, people! Get it for $3.
And if you’re not a bar-soap kinda person, you can always check out the H2O Plus body wash collection!
Is H2O Plus Vegan?
No, sadly, H2O Plus products are not vegan. That said, the brand uses the cleanest ingredients possible as specified in international regulations, and all of its products are cruelty-free.
Who Is H2O Plus For?
H2O Plus is for skincare and beauty fans who are nerds (in a good way!) about clean ingredients. It’s especially great for people who have dry skin and are looking to bring some moisture back to that desert on their face, hands, or elsewhere.
If you’re looking for simplicity, nourishment, and cleanliness in your skincare routine, this brand was at the forefront of that movement, so go with the O.G.
Comparison: H2O Plus vs. Clinique
At this point, you may be wondering, how does H2O Plus compare to other brands? We’ve got some answers for you. Introducing Clinique, a similar high-end skincare brand that shares some notable similarities and differences with the subject of our review.
Let’s cover the three most notable similarities first, as below:
- Both are pricier than most skincare brands
- Both offer free gifts with purchases over a certain amount
- Both are formulated without parabens and phthalates
And as to the differences, they’re pretty marked:
- Clinique is more expensive
- Clinique is not cruelty-free
- Clinique also sells fragrances, makeup, and men’s products
As far as this H2O Plus review can see, it looks like Clinique could turn off some skincare seekers with its higher prices and non-cruelty-free products. Also, since H2O Plus has devoted over three decades to skin, hair, and body care solutions, they would seem to be a better bet for those concerns than what is essentially a cosmetics company like Clinique.
H2O Plus Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
To give you the full, honest, plainspoken truth in our H2O Plus review, we’ve dug up a sampling of customer reviews so you can get insight from real-life experiences with this brand.
As one would expect, commenters on the brand website are mostly rooting for the home team. Below are the ratings for the products we discussed in our H2O Plus review above:
- Refreshing Gel Moisturizer—4.7/5 stars from 140 reviews
- Gel Cream Moisturizer—4.7/5 stars from 165 reviews
- Gel Cleanser—4/5 stars from 68 reviews
- Eucalyptus Aloe Revitalizing Shampoo—4.8/5 stars from 93 reviews
- Cream Soap Bar—4.9/5 stars from 24 reviews
One customer recounted how their dry skin ate up the Refreshing Gel Moisturizer with delight: “From the first day I used this moisturizer, I was hooked. I had been looking for something to soften and hydrate my skin for at least 24 hours! This moisturizer delivers!”
The Gel Cream Moisturizer also has enthusiastic fans claiming that the product did wonders for their face, as in this comment: “Leaves skin smoother and difference is readily noticeable. I have several ask, “What are you doing to your face? It looks great.”
But how does the brand fare when we go outside the comforting environs of h2oplus.com? Well, on Amazon, the Refreshing Gel Moisturizer is rated 4.8/5 stars from 314 customers, who called it “super hydrating, pleasantly scented,” “lightweight,” and said that it gives you that truly “high-end” feel.
On the subject of hair care, customers of all different hair types and textures who bought the Eucalyptus Aloe Revitalizing Shampoo gave it high praise, saying it made their locks not only cleaner but also shinier, “fuller” “healthier,” and lovelier-smelling. This review is almost as shiny as customers’ post-Eucalyptus hair:
“I’m only two washes in and this stuff is amazing! My hair was feeling so heavy and greasy from all different product build up. This product literally cleaned my scalp instantly and had it feeling better! I had so many people ask me if I got my hair done just cause this stuff brought the shine and softness right back into my hair! Totally suggest buying this!”
On Facebook, customers gave us some more perspective about the up and downsides of these products. On the one hand, the comments here really show how much customer loyalty the brand has built up over the years. H2O Plus fans regularly express their excitement for new product launches, guess what the latest collection will be, and rave about product quality.
Many customers also share how they began purchasing these products after discovering them on vacation, thanks to the H2O Plus Disney partnership: “I adored these products on our Disney Cruise! They made me feel special and almost magically my skin felt and looked healthier!”
While the vast majority of Facebook commenters found that these products passed the vibe check with flying colors, there was one review that raised some mini red flags (perhaps light-to-medium pink flags) about the brand website. The user explained that the site would not allow them to use the discount codes they were sent via email and text:
“It’s been extremely frustrating! I’ve resorted to purchasing mini tubes from a number of random people in buy/sell apps & sites and I have been using it sparingly as I am trying to stretch it out as far as I can! I need to get my hands on a full size moisturizer ASAP! It is, with out a doubt, the best moisturizer I’ve ever tried!”
While it’s tragic that this customer has had to scavenge high and low to get enough of this product, note that they still had high praise for the moisturizer even in the midst of distress. This points up the most important trend in customer comments: they are overwhelmingly positive about the quality and effectiveness of these products, saying they deliver real results.
Is H2O Plus Worth It?
Let’s just come out and say it: yes, H2O Plus is worth it! Whether you struggle with dry skin or are just looking for the perfect everyday moisturizer or cleanser, H2O Plus has a healthy and hydrating solution for you.
Granted, these products are on the pricier end of the skincare spectrum, but that comes with the territory when you’re dealing with natural, plant-based formulas. And given how provenly effective these products are—not to mention the frequent discount offers and free shipping provided by the brand—they earn that high-end price.
H2O Plus Promotions & Discounts
Want to try this brand out, but don’t want to empty your pockets? This H2O Plus review has dug up some offers that you can take advantage of:
- Get 15% off your next order when you sign up for H2O Plus text messages
- Get 10% off when you sign up for the brand e-newsletter
- Refer a friend to give and get 20% off your next order
- Follow the brand’s social media to get wind of any upcoming H2O Plus coupon code, discount, or sale
Where to Buy H2O Plus
If you’re looking to get your paws on H2O Plus beauty and skincare products, you can grab hold of them at h2oplus.com or from the following retailers:
- Amazon
- Disney Store
- Walmart
FAQ
Where is H2O Plus made?
While the brand boasts that its products are “Japan-designed,” its products were made in the US until at least 2015, when the company closed its Chicago manufacturing facility as part of its relocation of the head office to San Francisco. The brand now outsources its manufacturing, but this H2O Plus review has not been able to discover which third-party firms handle this.
What is H2O Plus’ Shipping Policy?
H2O Plus only ships within the US, including Hawaii and Alaska. Orders are processed in 1-2 business days and then shipped via FedEx. Delivery times and rates are as follows:
- 5-12 business days—$7 (or FREE for orders over $50)
- 3-7 business days—$10
- 3-4 business days—$16
- 2-3 business days—$23
What is H2O Plus’ Return Policy?
If you aren’t in love with your new H2O Plus skin care or beauty product, you can return them within 30 days of receipt. Refunds are processed in 3-5 business days after the brand receives the return. Note that customers are responsible for the return shipping costs—no free rides home on these babies, sorry!
How to Contact H2O Plus
Got questions that we didn’t cover in our H2O Plus review? Firstly, we’re sorry. Secondly, here’s how you can get in touch with the company so you can ask them:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 800-242-2284
- Submit a ticket on the H2O Plus Help forum
We know how important your skins health is, so explore your options for skincare with these top brands:
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