Review: Clinique Take the day off cleansing balm

This post features one of the most popular cleansing balms. People in general seem to have very contrasting views on cleansing balms. Some who use it absolutely love it. Some who have never used it, resent the very idea of balm-type cleanser. I used to fall into the latter category. Because my combination skin is prone to acne, using a balm to remove my make-up and cleanse my face is unimaginable.

Using this balm completely changes and blows my mind. I absolutely love it. As long as you use proper method with a cleansing balm that contains good ingredients, you will regret not joining the balm army earlier. Once you go balmy, you will never go back, I guess 😉 .

Enjoy the read!

What is it?
This is a cleansing balm that can be used for taking your make-up and sunscreen off (so first-step cleansing). It can also be used for massaging. Once applied on to your skin, it will transform into an oil texture.

my jar is almost empty 😉

 

Who is it for?
I do generally believe that this is suitable for most of the skin types. I am very prone to acne, but it has never broken me out when I am going through the whole jar of the balm. It is also a good product for combination to oil skin types since you will take it off in the end :-).

How to use it?
Take a reasonable amount into your fingers, massage on to your skin gently. You can also remove your eye make-up by massaging it around your eyes. Then remove it with a warm cloth. Despite it says on the jar (also on the website) that “rinse if off completely”. I do not find rinsing this thick texture off so easy.

I believe that this is where balm cleanser put people off. You try to cleanse it using your usual method, but it does not seem to go away completely. Then you think this balm thing never works, why would I bother in the first place.  This is where you use (or some beauty editors, such as Sali Hughes from the Guardian always recommends)  the hot cloth method.

it is quite a thick texture when you scoop it from the jar.

once applied, it immediately turns into a oily texture.

 

What is this #$%!^@&  Hot Cloth Cleansing Method? 
Apply your cleanser (in this case, a balm) directly to dry skin, focusing on the eyes to dissolve your mascara, then massage in small circles until you look like a horror show. Then use damp, comfortably hot cloth to gently remove all traces of make-up. It also functions as a gentle exfoliation and making it ready for following steps of your skincare regimen. See Sali Hughes explanation here .

What i like about it? 
It can remove the most difficult waterproof formulas and it does not hurt my eyes. After using this product, I no longer use any eye make-up remover. I find it not only very easy to remove my eye make-up using this balm and it does not take my eyelashes off. This is a very gentle way to remove eye make-up as you are not trying to wipe it off a couple of times. Given my already limited eyelashes, I do appreciate any method that can leave them on.

This has become my new holy grail product for the efficiency and low price. It is right there with my 8-year favorite DHC cleansing oil.

What I don’t like about it?
Nothing!

What does the product claim?
Lightweight makeup remover quickly dissolves tenacious eye and face makeups, sunscreens. Transforms from a solid balm into a silky oil upon application. Cleans thoroughly, rinses off completely. Gently helps remove the stress of pollution so skin looks younger, longer. Non-greasy. Non-drying. Ophthalmologist Tested. For all skin types.

Does the product live up to its claim?
Totally. Just do not rinse it off. Remove it with a hot/warm cloth.

Causes of allergy or concern?
This product is free from paraben, mineral oils and fragrance.

Price
31 euros (from their website) for 125 ml. This lasts me for about 4-5 month. Good value for money.

Where to buy?
Clinique is almost available everywhere.

Would I buy it again? 
Yes, But I would also want to try the Clinique take the day off cleansing oil. 🙂

Ingredients
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Polyethylene, PEG-5 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Water, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol

Disclaimer: Featured Image (in the front page and in the left of this blogpost)from clinique.com. All of the other images are from missjiabeautyblog