I’ve been wanting to try a cleansing balm for some time. Last time I tried buying one, it ended up being a cleansing cream instead, which isn’t the same thing at all (but you can read that review here).
Cleansing balms are used as the first step of cleansing, instead of cleansing oil. Products of this type will remove dirt and sunscreens as well as makeup. Typically, the next step would be a foaming cleanser and then the rest of your evening routine.
The Atopalm Real Barrier Cleansing Oil Balm embodies all the things I value in quality Korean skincare - it’s paraben, silicone, and mineral oil free and is gentle yet effective. It supports a healthy skin barrier with an MLE Skin Barrier Formula of madecassoside, allantoin and panthenol. The balm is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and dry. It’s available on* eBay and Amazon. Since the product is new, availability may change day to day, so I recommend checking often if it’s not in stock.
How to use:
Apply a small amount to dry face with dry, clean hands
Massage and feel the balm melt into the skin, lifting dirt and makeup (can be used on the eyes as well)
Add water and massage again, the balm will emulsify/turn white
Rinse off with warm water
The manufacturer says that the beneficial oils in the balm (shea, olive, safflower and vitamin E) will form a protective barrier on the skin and that no other cleansing is needed, unless desired. I’m so used to finishing my evening cleanse with a foaming cleanser that I still do that step too.
My impressions:
As I’ve mentioned before, my cleansing balm experience is not vast (as in, this is my first one ever), but I really like it. The texture reminds me of a thick cream or maybe even a mask. It goes on very smoothly and feels nice during a light facial massage. I have tried it on the eyes, as the instructions say you can, and it works OK but doesn’t completely remove makeup, so I still have to wipe off the remaining mascara with a special eye makeup remover (currently using this one). But there’s no irritation to the eyes, which is great.
The Atopalm Real Barrier Cleansing Oil Balm would be especially great for those who dislike the texture/feel of liquid cleansing oil, those who travel (lesser chance of spilling) and those with very sensitive and dry skin. I’m enjoying it and would definitely get it again. I think it would work well for removing stubborn sunscreen from my 4.5 year old as well.
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I won this product from the manufacturer. All opinions are my own and honest, as usual.
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Atopalm Real Barrier Cleansing Oil Balm ingredients: CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, CETYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, PEG-7 GLYCERYL COCOATE, WATER, BEESWAX, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, SORBITAN OLIVATE, MYRISTOYL/PALMITOYL OXOSTEARAMIDE/ARACHAMIDE MEA, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, STEARIC ACID, OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) FRUIT OIL, TRIHYDROXYSTEARIN, SORBITAN STEARATE, VP/EICOSENE COPOLYMER, GLYCERYL STEARATE, TOCOPHEROL, PHYTOSTEROLS, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, XANTHAN GUM, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, MADECASSOSIDE, ALLANTOIN, PANTHENOL, CERAMIDE3, CITRUS AURANTIUM BERGAMIA (BERGAMOT) FRUIT OIL, LITSEA CUBEBA FRUIT OIL, THYMUS MASTICHINA FLOWER OIL, ANTHEMIS NOBILIS FLOWER OIL, GLYCERIN, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS (SAFFLOWER) SEED OIL, CAMELLIA OLEIFERA SEED OIL, TRITICUM VULGARE (WHEAT) SPROUT EXTRACT, SPIRULINA PLATENSIS EXTRACT