Curious about adding a cleansing balm into your skincare ritual but not sure where to begin? You’re in the right place! Welcome to Ella & Jo’s ultimate cleansing balm guide. We believe in the power of cleansing balm to kick-start your routine and soothe both your skin and senses. Read on to discover more about cleansing balm benefits, how to use cleansing balm and why double cleansing might transform your complexion.
What Is a Cleansing Balm and Why Should You Use One?
A cleansing balm is a rich, solid-buttery cleanser designed to melt on contact with the skin. Typically formulated with oils, natural butters and soothing extras, it gently lifts away makeup, sunscreen, excess oil and impurities without stripping the skin.
Suitable for most skin types, cleansing balms are popular thanks to their ability to dissolve even the most heavy-duty foundation, waterproof mascara and longwear sunscreen without irritating the skin. After using a cleansing balm, your skin feels nourished, soft and hydrated, never tight or dry.
Cleansing balm is the perfect way to kick off your skincare ritual and is often the first step in a double cleansing routine – more on that later!
How to Use a Cleansing Balm
So, we know that cleansing balm is the essential first step in any skincare ritual, but how do you use it? Cleansing balm performs a little differently from typical gel and foam cleansers, and applying it the right way will ensure you get the most out of your product.
While you can use cleansing balm in the morning, it’s especially effective when used in the evening to remove every last trace of your day.
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Start with dry skin. Use a coin-sized amount of product, warm it between your fingers, then apply directly to the face and neck.
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Massage in. Take a deep breath and massage the balm over your skin in gentle, circular motions. Focus on areas like the eyes and lashes where makeup lingers.
Enjoy the process! This is your moment to relax and decompress.
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Remove with a warm cloth. Soak your cloth or cleansing mitt in warm water, wring it out and gently wipe away the balm. Make sure to be super gentle in the eye area.
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Repeat if needed. Rinse and refresh your cloth, and continue the process until all the balm is removed.
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Admire the results. Your skin will be left clean, soft and beautifully nourished.
Once you get in the habit of using a cleansing balm, you’ll begin to look forward to the ritual. Opt for a beautiful formulation to enhance your experience further. Our Melt the Day Away Cleansing Balm is a nourishing balm-to-oil cleanser that releases heavenly aromas of lavender and sweet orange as you massage it onto your skin – it’s the perfect way to unwind after a busy day.
What is Double Cleansing and Do You Need It?
Do you wear makeup?
Do you wear sunscreen?
Do you live in a city?
If you answered “yes” to any of the above, it’s time to consider adding a double cleansing routine to your evening ritual.
Double cleansing is a two-step cleansing method designed to thoroughly cleanse your skin. It’s particularly beneficial for anyone who wears makeup or sunscreen daily (which should be all of us!).
So why does it matter? Think of double cleansing as a reset for your skin. It makes sure that every last trace of makeup and SPF is removed, leaving a clean canvas for your subsequent serums and moisturiser to absorb more effectively. Regular double cleansing should help prevent clogged pores and breakouts, and support a healthy skin barrier – it’s the first step to a healthy, radiant and glowing complexion.
How it works
Step 1: Begin with a rich, oil-based cleansing balm like our Melt The Day Away Cleansing Balm. This is the best cleansing balm for makeup removal and will break down oil-soluble impurities without stripping your skin. Your first cleanse will melt away dirt and impurities, along with makeup, sunscreen, excess sebum and pollutants.
Step 2: Next, reach for a gel or gentle foaming cleanser to wash away residual sweat, dirt or leftover balm from step 1. Our Brighten & Glow Hydrating Exfoliating Cleanser is perfect for this and will leave skin clean, refreshed and ready for the rest of your ritual.
So there you have it! For step 1 you need a makeup dissolving cleanser, and then step 2 a deep-cleaning, skin-soothing facial cleanser. Try it and watch your complexion transform.
How to Add a Cleansing Balm into Your Summer Skincare Routine
You may have started to notice changes in your skin as the weather warms up. A build-up of oil, SPF and sweat can leave your skin feeling congested and prone to breakouts and clogged pores. This is why it’s more important than ever to have an effective cleansing routine, and a cleansing balm could be the refreshing reset your skin needs.
Adding a cleansing balm to your soothing night-time skincare routine will gently melt away sunscreen, excess makeup and oil, leaving your skin fresh without feeling stripped or dry. Try our Melt the Day Away Cleansing Balm and feel the difference from the very first use. It’s a summer skincare essential.
Is Cleansing Balm Suitable for Oily or Acne-Prone Skin?
We understand that if you have oily skin, it can feel counterintuitive to use a rich cleanser. It’s a common concern that using a balm will make skin oilier or clog pores, but in reality, this is one of the biggest skincare misconceptions.
In fact, over-cleansing can actually trigger your skin to produce more oil. A well-formulated cleansing balm can help rebalance and regulate oil production, while whisking away surface oils and impurities that can contribute to breakouts.
If you’re nervous to add a cleansing balm into your skincare ritual, start by using it as part of an evening double cleanse. You might be surprised at just how refreshed and comfortable your skin feels.
You can read more about acne-friendly skincare here.
Ready to cleanse with intention? Whether you wear makeup or not, your skin deserves care at the end of each day. Try the gentle, skin-loving power of Melt the Day Away Cleansing Balm and experience the Ella & Jo difference for yourself.
