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Skincare. Am I the only person who finds skincare fascinating, exciting and interesting? Drooling over new products, eyeing up ingredients lists while approving or disapproving of the packaging. Sounds familiar? If the answer is yes, I like you already! It won’t be surprising to read I have quite a few skincare products living in drawers and storage boxes in my bathroom and bedroom. Think of me as not only a lover of skincare but a collector of it too! But this collector doesn’t want a museum or a skincare shop, I want these beauties used. So I’m slotting in products into my routine which hopefully will be effective and keep my skin looking and feeling good. My current cleanser I’m using is Primark‘s PS Balm To Oil Cleanser. 50ml for £3.00.
Why did I buy this?
This was bought ages ago! I just didn’t get round to trying it out. Originally I bought this because I love balm cleansers. I love the texture, I adore the feel of them on the skin and I enjoy using them. But I’ve been using this, not just because I love them in general, but this type of cleanser is ideal for this time of year. It’s colder and my skin seems to need thicker, richer products to help moisturise and protect it. And a balm cleanser is probably one of thickest and richest types of cleansers you can get.
What is this supposed to do?
Suitable for all skin types, this balm is designed to clean the skin and condition the skin at the same time. It’s supposed to remove make-up and the general grime and dirt from the day.
Packaging
Primark’s PS Balm to Oil Cleanser is marketed, in my opinion, as being a ‘natural’ product. This is reflected in how this product looks packaging wise. It comes in a small, flat, screw top pot. Colouring is mint green and white. Easy on the eye, makes you think it’s natural and is quite clean and simple in appearance. The pot comes in a small cardboard box which mirrors in look and colours of the pot the balm is in.
Texture
Balm’s can actually come in a variety of textures. Primark’s Balm To Oil Cleanser is quite soft. If you touch it, you don’t feel as if you’re breaking the surface of it as if it’s hard and very solid. Almost Vaseline like but not as smooth.
Fragrance
There’s the smallest hint of something in this but it’s very faint. If I’m honest I couldn’t even tell you what it is. Very non-descriptive and almost nothing is there, so great if you don’t want your cleanser to have a fragrance to it.
Ingredients
I threw away the box, forgetting to make a note of what this balm contains like a fool! But this contains coconut water, glycerin, kakadu plum and sunflower oil seed (if my memory is correct) among other ingredients. When I first read the ingredients on the box instore, I recall thinking what it contained was actually decent.
How to use
Massage into skin then remove with a damp cleansing cloth.
In use
I had no idea how much of this to use so just used my own judgement.I scooped out enough to cover my fingertip and massaged it into my face for around 30 seconds. Since this is so soft texture wise, the heat from my skin and the movement of my fingers made it become an oil. But in fairness that’s what all balms I’ve used have done. I love balms so the texture was delightful, I liked how it felt on the skin and it didn’t sink in if I spent ages rubbing it around my face. So did I enjoy using this? Yes I did! And still do…I haven’t finished it yet.
Don’t try and wash this off with water it won’t work! You really do need a damp cloth to get this off. Used with warm water, it comes off. I found the first few times it would leave a film on my skin. So I would go back in with the cloth to make sure it was totally gone. I’m not a make-up wearer, so how good this is taking off a full made up face I have no idea. It’s fine taking off eyebrow pencil and sun cream. But to be on the safe side I double cleanse (using another cleanser after this one e.g a face wash) on an evening if I’ve applied sun cream that morning to make sure there’s no product remaining.
Skin Afterwards
Skin felt clean, looked clean with no visible signs of skin drying out or losing moisture.
Who would this be good for?
I’m in no way a skin expert, I just love skincare! But number one person who would benefit from using a balm cleanser is someone with dry skin. Possibly as well a person who wears quite a lot of make-up or products that need something to really break up what’s on their skin for removal. The type of cleanser you use can be influenced by what your skin needs but also comes down to what YOU like to use and what works for you. You might have dry skin and hate feeling oil on your face so this would be no good. So it depends on a few things but the two type of people mentioned should love this texture.
Recommended?
Balm cleansers are something you will either love or hate. And if you love them and enjoy using them, I would suggest to try this out, especially if you are on a budget! Even better, if you want to try one out but don’t want to commit to something that costs more, this is a good starting point. It’s obviously not expensive, and it means you’re not committing to using something that costs the earth or comes in a big whacking pot! So size and price makes this a good thing to try out to see if this is good for you. And if it is, welcome to the world of balm!