Aug
Cleansing balms have become increasingly popular in recent years and are gradually replacing the typical cleansing gels and scrubs. But how do oil-based cleansing balms fare in the test and in practice?
Cleansing balms promise gentle cleansing without pH value and acid mantle of the skin (there is an article on the acid mantle here). Article with explanation). The balm usually has a butter-like texture that is gently massaged into the skin to bind make-up and impurities and to cleanse, nourish and moisturise the skin.
For a long time, I was also a fan of commercially available scrubs and cleansing gels, which remove all dirt from the skin but also attack the natural acid mantle. For example, I used toners with fruit acid and scrubs with Benzoyl peroxide and enjoyed the refreshing and supposedly good burn after cleansing. This quickly turns into a vicious circle, which I have also fallen into: The more your skin burns after cleansing, the more likely you are to feel that you have cleansed your skin properly and intensively.
My own skincare past shows just how far this "cleanliness mania" can go: friends told me that they used sanitiser (!) instead of toner to reduce the formation of blackheads and spots. A drastic but perhaps even more effective method of cleansing? The self-experiment was sobering because my skin got worse and worse. I didn't understand this, because the skin was not only cleansed, but even disinfected!
Finally, I stumbled across a video with renowned skincare expert Caroline Hirons explaining the benefits of cleansing balms over other cleansing products and decided to try something new: gentle oil-based cleansing balms instead of harsh cleansing gels, soaps and even cleansing milks. (Tip: Video with Caroline Hirons)
The moisturising and cleansing Grapefruit Cleansing Balm from Stark Skincare was my product of choice: it consists of fruit butter, coconut oil, soybean butter, seed oils, root powders, orange wax and essential oils and smells heavenly of grapefruit. The consistency is best compared to butter.
The application is simple: take a pea-sized amount of the balm in your cleansed hands and massage it gently and slowly into the skin. Once the oils have absorbed all the impurities, gently remove the balm. This can be done either with a soft cloth or sponge, or with water. The easiest way to remove the Cleansing Balm without leaving any residue is with a Konjac sponge or a very soft, damp towel.
In the test
Every start with a cleansing balm can be a challenge, and that's how I felt. At first I had problems with the consistency, I was worried that it was too "greasy" and I couldn't manage to remove the balm properly. The solution was then the discovery of Konjac Sponges (e.g. from Dr Sponge) and my opinion changed immediately and the enthusiasm continues: I have rarely had such radiant and healthy skin as I do now!
For combination skin like mine, the cleansing balm is a remedy for everything: for dryness, but also for oily and blemished areas. Even the tried and tested moisturiser after cleansing is almost superfluous, as my skin is neither tight nor dry and feels soft and supple.
Tip: Thanks to its nourishing and nourishing ingredients, versatil balm can also be used as a moisturiser or moisturising mask.
The Stark Skincare Grapefruit Cleansing Balm comes in a beautiful, sturdy glass jar and the design alone makes it a must-have! I've been using it for about 3 months now and my skin is still improving visibly, looking better and healthier. An absolute plus point: the skin glows healthily and with that certain something. This gorgeous balm is my personal highlighter and glowy foundation in one.
Moisturising + Cleansing Grapefruit Cleansing Balm from Stark Skincare is available for CHF 45.00 here available.
