When it comes to double cleansing, cleansing balms and oils are great products to incorporate for your first step! To make it easier for you to decide what type to purchase, here’s a breakdown!
What are Cleansing Balms?
Cleansing balms are solid cleansers that are usually packaged in small tubs and require scooping out with a finger or spatula. Most cleansing balms come as a soft sorbet texture that melts into oil with your body heat. This oil is what we can massage into our skin to take off all forms of makeup and stubborn sunscreen. Cleansing balms are great for all skin types, but oily skin types might enjoy it more due to the lightweight texture and consistency.
Thoughts on PEGs
With cleansing balms comes the topic of PEGs or Polyethylene Glycol — which is present in a lot of balms. If you’re not aware, PEGs belong under the category of microplastics and are typically found in many skincare and cosmetic products. Although most PEGS are considered safe for skin, the concern is residue from your cleansing balm will eventually make its way into the oceans and harm wildlife.
We found that a small amount of PEG is used in liquid form to give cleansing balms their signature sorbet texture. (Luckily, the US banned production of wash-off products with solid microplastic beads since 2018 according to the FDA.) And for the skincare industry, more and more brands are aware of consumer demands, which can lead them to create products formulated without polyethylene. So if PEG is an ingredient you don’t prefer incorporating into your routine, it may be worth looking into PEG-free alternatives (for example, Beauty Pie has the Plantastic Apricot Butter Cleansing Balm that’s PEG free).
How to Use?
Scoop up a small amount of product and rub between your palms to melt the balm. You should be left with a clear oil on your palms once the balm is melted down. On a dry face, gently massage the balm until you see your makeup melt. Take some time to massage over areas with waterproof or stubborn makeup. Afterwards, take a cotton pad and wipe gently to remove the debris and rinse with lukewarm water. Follow up with a water based cleanser as the second step of double cleansing.
Our Favorite Cleansing Balms
What are Cleansing Oils?
If cleansing balms are solid forms of cleansing, then cleansing oils are liquid forms! Cleansing oils usually contain an oil base, a blend of skin-friendly botanical oils, and surfactants to help bind dirt and grime. They’re also considered one of the most gentle and effective cleansing products to use in your routine. They’re usually packaged in a container with a pump for dispensing the product onto our palms, and it’s a preferred method of double cleansing for makeup users! Cleansing oils are great for all skin types, but dry skin types might enjoy more due to the extra blend of nourishing oils.
Are Cleansing Oils Good for Oily Skin?
Here’s a concern that oily skin types might have! After all, their skin already produces lots of sebum to begin with — won’t more oils just make you oilier? Actually, oils can be great for oily skin types! They could actually trick your skin into thinking it’s hydrated. Sebum overproduction happens for a variety of reasons but the most common one is that your skin’s not hydrated enough. When you apply skin-friendly oils (even as a wash off product), they can leave your face feeling nourished and clean.
How to Use?
Dispense 2–3 pumps of cleansing oil onto your palms. On a dry face, gently massage the oil until you see your makeup melt. Take some time to massage over areas with waterproof or stubborn makeup. Afterwards, take a cotton pad and wipe gently to remove the debris and rinse with lukewarm water. Follow up with a water based cleanser as the second step of double cleansing.
Our Favorite Cleansing Oils
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