Skincare: Balm Cleansers

My favourite step of my skincare routine has to be the Cleanser as I feel it’s the one step that makes the biggest difference (stay away from the wipes!!) I remember what started this cleanser love off, Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser which is perfect for beginners but I feel like I’ve upgraded from cream cleansers. My new love is balm cleansers and I’m not sure I’ll ever go back to more traditional milks and creams.

If you are unfamiliar with balm cleansers they come in a solid form and liquefy when rubbed between your palms or massaged on to a dry face. To remove them I use a hot cloth such as a muslin cloth or I love this Emma Hardy Flannels £8. I love balms as they remove every bit of makeup including waterproof products and leave my skin feeling much better than any other cleanser I’ve tried.

My top four (in order)

4)Clinique Take the Day Off (£21)
I searched everywhere for this and finally found it in the clearance section on holiday, result! This works beautifully and removes all my make-up even though it is only £21. The only reason it hasn’t made it to a higher spot is because it’s least luxurious out of the range; it looks a little like lard and is completely unscented. I think the face it is unscented is what gets to me however it does mean it is perfect for those of you with sensitive skin! Its the perfect, affordable cleanser everyone should own for an everyday non faffy cleansing routine.

3) Rodial Glamtox Cleanser ( £50 Currently £20.52 here)
This product comes in a study tube with a great pump and is a little less solid than the other balm cleansers. The scent isn’t as nice as the Emma Hardie Amazing Face but it is pleasant. It also has a range of great ingredients and even claims to help pigmentation. It leaves a beautiful glow on the skin and the packaging is in my opinion the best type of packaging (no contaminating the product!)

2) Emma Hardie Amazing Face(£34)
It seemed the world and his wife was talking about this cleanser at one point so of course I had to give it a go and it is a good ‘un. It removes everything, is packed full of ingredients to re-hydrate and minimise pores. It also smells amazing making the whole cleansing experience feel much more luxurious (take a second to take the scent in) but sadly the packaging isn’t the greatest. I’ve broken my lid, I’ve heard people complain it leaks and the deep tub means you really have to stick your fingers in. All that said at £34 it is very reasonable and I would repurchase without a doubt.

1) Vaishaly Cleansing Balm (£69)
Okay so it is a little (very!) pricey and therefore it is my special occasion cleanser. This cleanser is designed for dry skins and I wouldn’t go near it with a oily skin (it’s fine for sensitive skin!) It comes with airless pump which keeps it preserved without synthetic preservatives and germ-free. It took me a little while to get use to the smell but I now love it. It has lavender, rose and geranium which makes this product feel very luxurious. It is oily then the others but it’s quite relaxing to massage on the face. I use a cloth to remove this even though it’s not recommended but it washes off leaving my skin looking beautiful. I used this for a week and I have never had such great skin. Expensive but worth it. Will I be repurchasing? Not at the moment I can’t afford it/justify it but if it’s your wedding coming up/you can afford this than I couldn’t think of a better cleanser! It’s the ultimate must have winter skincare product in my eyes.

Honourable mentions
The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Balm £12// No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Balm £9

On my list to try:
Merymaya Melting Cleansing Balm £14.50 // Aromatherapy Associates Soothing Cleansing Balm £36 // Botanics Soothing Cleansing Balm £8.99 // Monu Cleansing Balm £35  // Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse £35

What is your favourite cleanser? Have you tried any of the ones I have mentioned?

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15 Comments

  1. 17th October 2013 / 1:27 pm

    I love cleansers, I haven't tried the same ones that you use, but I really love the nivea visage ones. I just love nivea visage in general 🙂 I might actually try the ones you use,they sound somewhat exciting

    Love,
    http://cherrydunia.blogspot.dk/

  2. 17th October 2013 / 1:38 pm

    I love balm cleansers, I don't think I'll go back to milk/cream cleansers either! Right now, I'm on my second tube of the merumaya cleansing balm which I really like, it's affordable but is very good quality. It is a bit lighter in texture but I really like it.

    Hannah x
    Girl+World

  3. 17th October 2013 / 3:30 pm

    Great review 🙂 I haven't tried any balm cleansers yet because i am always so scared that it will be too greasy for my skin and i hate break outs if it doesn't go down well with my skin. I have been looking into the Clinique one and the Emma Hardy one but i have been putting it off because i'm still not too sure about it, although i may have to invest soon because my skin is starting to get a little bit dryer due to the changing weather.

    This was very helpful though, thank you so much~ I hope you have a great day <3

    *- YingcBeauty-*
    X x X x X

  4. 17th October 2013 / 4:26 pm

    We share the same love of cleansers, it can really make a difference in your skin if you do it on a regular basis. I am really keen to try the emma hardy balm, everybody seems to rave about it and really liking it.

    welldressed25.blogspot.co.uk

  5. 17th October 2013 / 5:10 pm

    I'm using the body shop one at the moment and it is very good, removes all my make up and eye make up very well, and leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and nourished! xx

    yespleasebeauty.blogspot.co.uk

  6. 17th October 2013 / 5:31 pm

    I love cleansers, I have a slight addition 🙂 I didn't at all get on with the Glamtox cleanser though, it didn't do anything for me 🙁 Really want to try the Clinique one!

    Claire | AgentSmyth

  7. 17th October 2013 / 6:22 pm

    I really want to try the Clinique cleanser! My skin is quite sensitive so it seems perfect:) thanks for this post 😀

    claresloves.blogspot.co.uk

  8. 18th October 2013 / 12:39 am

    I haven't tried any of these cleansers but since I have dry skin, a balm cleanser would be perfect for me! I think I want to start with the Clinique one as it's pretty affordable! Thanks for your reviews!
    Amber
    Lovely Notions

  9. 18th October 2013 / 7:00 am

    I love love cleansing balms! That is an AMAZING deal on the Rodial, I have bought two of those at £50!! You should try the Ren No1 purity cleansing balm. I am currently using the Elemental herbology super cleanse, its not really a balm tho, more of a cream cleanser.

    Stacey Expat Make-Up Addict

  10. 18th October 2013 / 11:45 am

    Great review, i am considering trying the Clinique balm. Luckily for me i didnt like the smell of the Emma Hardie!

    Allie from Alliesbeauty.blogspot.com

  11. 23rd October 2013 / 5:47 pm

    Great review 🙂 I've used the Botanics one for nearly a year now, and have just changed to the Body Shop one. I found that the Botanics one left a residue on my face that I could still feel after a second cleanse, but the Body Shop one is great, and I prefer the smell as well. The Merumaya one is pretty good as well, but not as solid so I don't like the texture as much … x

    http://www.naomigabriellatc.blogspot.co.uk

  12. 11th November 2013 / 1:28 pm

    I'm a balmaholic and have tried all of the above except for the Emma Hardie. I'm currently loving the Rodial one (which completely surprises me as I've been put off by their products in the past). I do love Eve Lom, the grand mammy of them all though I haven't bought in a while. The Vaishaly unfortunately was a complete disaster for me – http://wonderlusting.co.uk/2013/03/28/vaishaly-cleansing-balm-review/

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