Double cleansing is becoming more and more popular and for a good reason - it’s one of the easiest ways to thoroughly cleanse the face without harsh rubbing. The first step, typically a cleansing oil or balm, dissolves oil-soluble impurities such as makeup and sunscreen.
I’ve been using Audrey&Young Cica Biome Cleansing Balm as my first step lately. It promises to be safe even for dry, sensitive skin, to control sebum, and soothe. It’s available on* Amazon.
How to use:
Gently massage over dry face with dry, clean hands
Add a bit of water and massage some more (the product will emulsify)
Rinse
Follow with a foaming cleanser and then the rest of your routine
Audrey&Young Cica Biome Cleansing Balm is vegan (no animal ingredients or animal testing) and is made without parabens, silicones, synthetic fragrance, or artificial colors. The brand calls it hypoallergenic, but that is an unregulated term. I recommend reviewing the ingredients if you have known allergies, and patch testing if you are worried.
My impressions
I love double cleansing. It might be my favorite step of the entire evening routine - washing away the dirt and worries and starting the next steps with a clean slate. I’ve been using Audrey&Young cleansing balm for a few weeks and have mixed feelings about it.
The good:
Melts effortlessly and is pleasant to use
Rinses clean
Effectively removes foundation / sunscreen
The not-so-good:
I dislike the scent (it’s a bit difficult to describe and is likely from the plant extracts in the ingredients, maybe rosemary)
Claims to be great for sensitive skin but contains a myriad of plant extracts which could easily be irritating
Doesn’t take off eye makeup as well as other balms do (I’m talking about basic non-waterproof mascara here) - I still have racoon eyes afterwards
Overall, it’s not a horrible balm. I would like it more if it smelled better or didn’t have a scent at all. My combination skin isn’t really sensitive, so all the plant extracts don’t bother me. I haven’t noticed any soothing effects, despite seeing centella derivatives in the ingredients, but then again - I do not expect a cleanser to be soothing. That’s what the next skincare steps are for.
In general, I am really disappointed with brands that market their skincare toward people with sensitive skin, label it as hypoallergenic, and then pack the formula with as many plant derivatives as they can manage. Did this product really need to contain Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract (pine needle extract)? What is that contributing, exactly, other than increasing the potential for irritation? I am by no means a cosmetic formulator, but this doesn’t sit well with me.
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*Affiliate link
I purchased this product at a discount for review purposes. This is not a sponsored review.
Audrey&Young Cica Biome Cleansing Balm ingredients: Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Wax, C13-15 Alkane, Trihydroxystearin, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Ferula Galbaniflua (Galbanum) Resin Oil, Amber Powder, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa (Tumeric) Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Borango Officinalis Seed Oil, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Tocopherol, Lactobionic Acid, Panthenol, Glycerin, Ethylhexlglycerin, Centella Asiatic Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1, 2-Hexanediol