Laurel & Reed Review: Is This Luxe Clean Beauty Box Worth It in 2025?

Are you into clean beauty?

If you’ve been searching for a reliable clean beauty subscription box, chances are you’ve come across Laurel and Reed.

The brand has gained attention among skincare enthusiasts for its focus on non-toxic, cruelty-free, and sustainably sourced products.

But with so many clean beauty boxes on the market, how does Laurel and Reed really measure up in 2025?

In this Laurel and Reed review, we’ll break down everything you need to know before subscribing.

What is Laurel & Reed?

Laurel and Reed was founded in 2018 as a curated subscription service, aiming to deliver clean beauty to your doorstep while maintaining an online marketplace for individual purchases.

Their products feature non-toxic, cruelty-free formulations that prioritize natural ingredients and sustainable practices.

Each monthly delivery includes 2 or more full-size products. Beyond the subscription service, there is also an online shop where customers can either explore other clean beauty products or replenish favorites from the box.

On Laurel and Reed’s monthly plan, subscribers receive full-size products for $54.95 per box, with a guaranteed actual value of at least $125.

With the Laurel and Reed beauty box you get a flexible subscription, as you can skip a month when needed, pause or cancel without hassle, or choose from various subscription terms to fit your lifestyle.

Their approach places emphasis on aesthetics and the idea of discovering new beauty products through a satisfying unboxing experience.

What’s inside the October 2025 Laurel & Reed box?

Here’s what you can find in this month’s box:

• October 2025 — Sahajan x Laurel & Reed

  Featured brand: Sahajan

  Box contains (4 products):

  • Sahajan Nourish Crème Riche – 1.7oz – $55 (an age-defying crème to reduce the appearance of redness, fine lines, and wrinkles, while targeting the signs of hyperpigmentation)
  • Sahajan Radiance Face Serum – 1oz – $64 (a vitamin C-rich serum for smooth, glowing skin)
  • Sahajan Balance Toner – 4oz – $34 (a gentle exfoliating toner for balanced, glowing skin)
  • Sahajan Radiance Eye Cream – .5oz – $40 (a brightening eye cream to target dark circles - de-puff, firm, strengthen and brighten the eye area)

  Claimed total box value: ~ $193

Recent Laurel & Reed Boxes (2025 Overview)

And here’s a look back at the past 4 months, so you can get a feel for what the subscription usually entails:

• September 2025 → Odacité x Laurel & Reed

  Featured brand: Odacité

  Box contains (4 products):

  • Odacité Derm Restore Super Serum Edelweiss Extrême
  • Odacité Hydra-Repair Treatment Mist (Aloe + Immortelle)
  • Two additional Odacité items

  Claimed total box value: ~ $197

• August 2025 → Henné x Laurel & Reed

  Featured brand: Henné

  Box contains (4 products):

  • HENNÉ Organics Peptide Face Cream
  • HENNÉ Organics Illumine Face Oil
  • HENNÉ Organics Rose Diamonds Lip Exfoliator
  • HENNÉ Organics Luxury Lip Balm

  Claimed total box value: ~ $218

• July 2025 → Josh Rosebrook x Laurel & Reed

  Featured brand: Josh Rosebrook

  Box contains (3 products):

  • Josh Rosebrook C Complex Serum
  • Josh Rosebrook Body Acid Serum
  • Josh Rosebrook Ultra Peptide Cream

  Claimed total box value: ~ $155

• June 2025 → Le Prunier x Laurel & Reed

  Featured brand: Le Prunier

  Box contains (3 products: 2 full, 1 deluxe):

  • Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil
  • Le Prunier Plumtox Clarifying Enzyme Mask
  • Le Prunier Plumscreen SPF 31 Sunscreen (deluxe item)

  Claimed total box value: ~ $183

Ingredient Standards and Clean Beauty Policy

The products Laurel and Reed carry are generally made with natural, plant-based ingredients - things like botanical oils, fruit and herbal extracts, and gentle moisturizers such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

Formulations often feature rich butters, seed oils, and antioxidants for nourishment and barrier support.

Most products avoid harsh chemicals, parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances, aligning with the brand’s clean beauty philosophy. Some may still include essential oils or natural fragrance components, so those with very sensitive skin may want to check individual ingredient lists.

Overall, the focus is on safe, non-toxic, and ethically sourced ingredients that promote healthy, radiant skin.

Every product they include in their boxes or carry in their store is “meticulously vetted”, reviewing ingredient safety using sources like the EWG Skin Deep Database. They also test products for at least 14 days for effectiveness.

Is Laurel & Reed worth the price?

The total value of items in a box always comes to a minimum of $125

Laurel & Reed’s subscription options include:

• One time purchase: $59.95/box
• Month-to-Month: $54.95/box
• 3 Month Pre-paid: $47.95/box or $143.85 billed every 3 months
• 6 Month Pre-paid: $45.95/box or $275.70 billed every 6 months
• Annual Pre-paid: $43.95/box or $527.40 billed annually

Additional shipping costs are as follows: $6.95 Shipping to US, $14.95 shipping to Canada, or $23.95 for international shipping.

The month-to-month subscription will auto-renew every 25 days from purchase date. There are no contracts, no commitments, and you can cancel anytime.

What do users have to say?

What do real customers have to say about Laurel and Reed?

Pros

Reviewers consistently highlight Laurel & Reed’s strong presentation, customer service, and product quality.

Sarah from ‘A Year of Boxes’ described her October 2023 box as “gorgeous,” from the packaging to the all-natural skincare products. She praised the “perfect mix” of items - serum, mist, and moisturizer - and noted that the box’s total value “far exceeds the cost”.

Similarly, Megan K from My Subscription Addiction admired the “utterly giftable” packaging of the September 2022 box.

Subscribers on the MSA site rate the service at 4.3 stars out of 5, often mentioning its reliability and aesthetic appeal. One reviewer called it a “reliable and effortless experience,” praising not only the well-curated boxes but also the company’s responsive customer service and flexibility - she said it has “one of the best customer service care amongst the beauty subscriptions, next to Beauty Heroes”, and subscribers can skip boxes or pause their plans easily. Discounts and bundle sales were also mentioned as perks.

Over on Cratejoy, the brand has a 4.9-star rating. Reviewers describe it as “the best skincare subscription box,” noting “wonderful products” and “excellent quality.” Another customer simply said: “Worth it! Great full-size products”.

Cons

Not everyone is equally impressed. A reviewer on My Subscription Addiction rated the service three stars, calling it “just OK.” They felt the brand selections didn’t always pair well and that the overall quality and value could be inconsistent.

Best Laurel & Reed Alternative: Beauty Heroes

If you’re looking for other options of clean beauty subscription boxes to see which one is best for you, Beauty Heroes is a similar luxury brand, focusing especially on genuinely healthy beauty discovery, and maintaining a stricter, safer and more environmentally friendly ingredient policy.

Here’s their ingredient criteria, side by side:

Category	Laurel & Reed (L&R)	Beauty Heroes (BH)	Comparison Summary
Fragrance	May include light synthetics or strong essential oils, varies by brand	No synthetic fragrance; only natural aroma from botanicals	BH stricter; better for fragrance-sensitive users
Essential Oils	Common and sometimes highly aromatic	Present but more controlled and disclosed	Both use EOs; BH generally milder
Preservatives	Clean/natural systems; may shorten shelf life	Similar, but formulations tested for stability	BH slightly more robust quality control
Petroleum / Silicones / PEGs	Usually excluded, but depends on brand	Fully banned under BH “Villain Ingredient” list	BH stricter
Microplastics / Acrylates	Claims avoidance, not always verified	Explicitly banned; non-biodegradable polymers prohibited	BH more reliable environmentally
Active Strength	May include stronger exfoliants or “clinical clean” actives	Prefers gentler botanical actives	L&R can be more potent, BH gentler
Transparency	Ingredient lists sometimes released post-shipping	Full INCI always published on site	BH more transparent overall

Beauty Heroes have a stricter ingredient policy, cleaner formulations and more consistent standards, whereas Laurel and Reed are still clean and cruelty-free, but ingredients vary more by brand and there’s a slightly higher risk of fragrance or actives being too strong for sensitive users.

Here’s how they compare on pricing:

Subscription Option	Laurel & Reed Cost / Box	Beauty Heroes Cost / Box	Winner (cheapest)
Month-to-month subscription	~$61.90 (shipping included)	$58.95 (already includes shipping)	Beauty Heroes is cheaper by a few dollars.
3-month prepaid plan	~$47.95 + shipping = ~$54.90	$45.95 (includes shipping)	Beauty Heroes still cheaper.
6-month prepaid	~$45.95 + shipping = ~$52.90	$41.95	Beauty Heroes significantly cheaper.
12-month prepaid / annual	~$43.95 + shipping = ~$50.90	$39.95	Beauty Heroes is again cheaper.
One-time (non-subscription) purchase	~$59.95 + shipping = ~$66.90	$58.95	Very close; Beauty Heroes slightly cheaper (if you do non-subscription).

For U.S. customers, Beauty Heroes generally offers a better deal. In every scenario the cost per box is lower with Beauty Heroes once shipping is included. Prepaid or annual plans make the difference more significant.

Laurel & Reed isn’t bad - it provides good value, full-size products, clean beauty etc. - but its shipping cost and slightly higher base price per box tend to tilt the scales in favor of Beauty Heroes for most U.S. subscribers.

Which one carries a broader range of brands?

Additionally, Beauty Heroes stands out as the stronger choice for anyone who wants to discover a wide variety of clean beauty brands. With a catalog of over 100 global and indie names, Beauty Heroes curates an expansive lineup that spans skincare, haircare, body, and wellness. Each monthly “Discovery” box highlights one particular brand in depth - giving subscribers a focused introduction to their products.

In contrast, Laurel and Reed tends to focus on a smaller, more curated set of brands. Its boxes sometimes feature full-brand collaborations, which provide depth within those specific lines, but offer less overall variety across different makers.

So, Beauty Heroes’ larger network and ongoing partnerships with 100+ brands make it more effective as a brand discovery platform - ideal for those who love learning about new formulations, philosophies, and innovations across the clean beauty space.

Laurel and Reed vs. Beauty Heroes: which one is better?

Overall, if you enjoy discovering new clean beauty brands through a thoughtfully curated subscription box, Laurel & Reed offers a dependable mix of non-toxic skincare and self-care essentials.

For those who prioritize stricter ingredient standards and a wider range of sustainable beauty discoveries, Beauty Heroes is another excellent option worth exploring - it could be your next box!