Aesthetic attraction is a form of physical attraction to a person's appearance. In the asexual community, the term is typically used to distinguish aesthetic attraction from sexual attraction.
Among those who experience romantic attraction or sexual attraction, attraction to an aesthetically-appealing appearance is sometimes considered a necessary element of the experience.
One of the earliest uses of the term "aesthetic attraction" among asexuals was in 2005, on the AVEN forums.[1] Since then it has been commonly included in lists of subtypes of attraction.[2]