I have fairly normal skin, but if anything it can be slightly on the dry side- so I love the moisture that I get from a cleansing balm. My face never feels dry or tight after using them. All three of the above cleansers do an EXCELLENT job at making sure my face is super clean, without compromising the moisture level. Often times the cleansers that leave your face "squeaky clean" also leave your face feeling tight and dry, but not these cleansing balms!
Every night I cleanse my skin twice- once to get the makeup and sunscreen off, the second to cleanse my skin. And these cleansing balms work for either step. All three balms work generally the same- I take a small amount and warm it up in my hands. I then work the product onto my DRY skin, massaging it all around for about 1-2 minutes. Next I take a warm washcloth (or muslin cloth for EVE LOM) and place it over my face three or so times. This loosens the balm and makes it easier to remove from the skin. Without this step, sometimes the balms can leave a waxy residue that is hard to get off.
This first cleansing balm is from the skincare line REN and has the look and feel of a thick Vaseline. It does not have any exfoliating properties, as the consistency is extremely smooth. Infused with rose, it is very hydrating and melts into the skin so easily. It also is safe for your eye area and does a great job at removing even the toughest waterproof mascara. There really is nothing bad to say about this cleanser- it does the job and leaves my skin hydrated and ready for my serums and moisturizers. While it is pricey, you do get a huge tub of it. If you are interested in it, you can find it here for $48.00.
My next cleansing balm is the cult favorite by EVE LOM. Described by Vogue as "probably the best cleanser in the world," I picked this up simply because I had to try it. Well I didn't have to, but you know, I saw it and that was that. I do really love it and the smell is AMAZING. It smells like Christmas in a jar- and sure enough a quick check on the package shows that cloves are a main ingredient.
The EVE LOM cleansing balm works a little differently from the REN one. First of all, there are large exfoliating beads, so works as an exfoliator AND as a makeup remover/cleanser. After every use, it leaves my skin feeling super soft and clean. Second of all, they recommend a certain procedure for how you should apply this balm.
EVE LOM recommends their massage technique when applying this cleansing balm to help drain toxins. I needed help on how to do this, so I went to YouTube where I found tons of tutorials showing the proper massage EVE LOM massage technique. After you massage the balm into your dry skin, I follow these steps, as written on the packaging:
- Take the included muslin cloth and run it under warm water
- Apply the muslin cloth to our face, covering it. Repeat three times.
- Fold the muslin cloth up into a square and gently buff the skin. This motion helps to remove the cleansing balm, while also lightly exfoliating the skin.
- After the cleanser has been completely removed, run the muslin cloth under cool water and apply it to your skin. This helps to "close" the pores and give your skin a more even toned look.
I know what you are thinking, really all of these instructions for a cleanser? Isn't cleansing my face self explanatory? Do I really have to do all those steps?! I do (my rule following nature) so I cannot say if you would get the same results without all of the massaging and muslin cloth mumbo jumbo that EVE LOM is known for- but hey it works, so why not do it? I leave you with yes. YES the EVE LOM cleanser is worth the hype. YES it is pricey, but YES it does work. And YES, do follow all of the steps.
If you are interested in it, you can find it here ranging from $50-135.00.
My final cleansing balm is my newest one that I picked up from Nordstroms. It is by Bobbi Brown and smells like a fruit smoothie! I am serious, this cleansing balm is so heavily fragranced you could smell it from a mile away. But that didn't stop me. In fact, I welcomed it. Who doesn't want their face smelling like an orange? Okay, maybe its not for everybody but if you can get past the overwhelming smell (wonderful in my opinion) this cleanser is seriously awesome. It is the only one out of all three that truly gives a warming sensation when I apply it to dry skin. Like really warm- not the I think its warm- but the WOW THIS IS WARM!
All you need is a teeny tiny bit and it takes off every last stitch of makeup. It also is right in the middle between REN and EVE LOM in terms of consistency- as it is not as exfoliating as the EVE LOM, but definitely not as smooth as the REN. It sort of feels like very fine sand mixed with a smooth paste. In addition, I do steam my face quite a few times with a washcloth after rubbing this in, as I find it takes the balm off easier. If I skip this step, I notice it can leave behind a light residue. But nonetheless, it definitely has become a staple in my skincare routine- EVE LOM and REN don't be sad, I love you both too. You can find it here for $59.00.
So while all three are cleansing balms, you can see they are slightly different from one another. Some are gritty, some are smooth. Some have a warming effect, etc. When picking out a cleansing balm, look for what is important in your skincare routine. Do you need the extra exfoliation? Or are you looking for something that will just remove your makeup and be gentle on the skin?
I hope you guys found this helpful! If you haven't tried any of these cleansing balms, do your skin a favor and try one out!
xoxo
linds&bells
These sound gorgeous, the Eve Lom smelling like Christmas would get me to buy it in no time :))) Never tried any of these before,w ill have to look into it. Have a gorgeous day doll xx
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, the Eve Lom cleanser is awesome! Definitely lives up to the hype!
Deletexx
Lindsey