The Body Shop cleansing balm: how to use it

What does a cleansing balm do?

In a double cleansing routine, the first cleanser removes makeup, sunscreen residue and excess skin oil. The second, water based cleanser removes water soluble material such as sweat and dirt. Double cleansing describes two cleansing steps, not a promotion to a higher rank of clean.2

Cleansers contain surfactants, ingredients that help loosen oil and dirt so they can rinse away. A surfactant has a part that attaches to oily material and a part that mixes with water. Those ingredients also affect how a cleanser feels, foams and rinses off. A rich texture alone is not enough to tell you whether a cleanser will suit your skin.3

How to use it in an evening routine

1. 1Apply the balm following its label. Use your fingertips to massage gently rather than scrubbing or trying to polish makeup away.
2. 2Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Hot water can dry your skin.
3. 3If you are double cleansing, leave your face damp and apply a gentle water based cleanser. Massage gently, then rinse.
4. 4Pat your face dry with a soft towel rather than rubbing.
5. 5Apply moisturizer if your skin feels dry or itchy. Use a gentle touch around the eyes.

Remove makeup, including eye makeup, before bed. Use a remover intended for eye makeup when your balm's label does not permit eye use. Keep the pressure light: scrubbing irritates skin, and a washcloth or mesh sponge can add friction that fingertips do not.45

Do you need to use it every morning and night?

Most people should wash their face in the morning and at night, but that does not mean using a balm and a second cleanser both times. Reserve the makeup removal step for when you have makeup to remove. If your skin is dry or sensitive, washing with water in the morning and using cleanser at night is an option. If you only wash once a day, make it the evening wash.1

Wash after heavy sweating, too. That is a reason to clean away sweat, not automatically a reason to repeat the whole balm routine. Avoid adding washes just because your face feels oily between cleansing sessions: frequent washing can irritate skin and worsen symptoms.46

Do you always need a second cleanser?

A second cleanser is part of double cleansing, but double cleansing is not necessary for most people. One thorough wash with a gentle cleanser is usually enough. Two steps are more useful when removing waterproof makeup or waterproof sunscreen. If you do not wear makeup and one cleanser removes what is on your face, there is little reason to add another cleansing step.2

What if your skin is dry or sensitive?

Choose a gentle cleanser without fragrance, and avoid harsh or excessively drying formulas. For dry, sensitive skin, a gentle water based cream cleanser is generally less drying than a foaming cleanser. Do not assume a balm is suitable just because it feels rich. Fragrance, preservatives and some botanical ingredients can cause reactions in cleansers.23

Price alone is a poor way to choose a cleanser, even if the expensive one looks better beside the sink. Expensive and inexpensive cleansers can contain similar ingredients; choose by the formula and how your skin tolerates cleansing, rather than the price position.3

Is a cleansing balm suitable for acne prone skin?

Be cautious with oil based cleansers if you get acne, particularly when using them alone. For acne prone skin, choose products labelled oil free or noncomedogenic, meaning designed not to clog pores. An oil free makeup remover followed by a gentle cleanser is an alternative. Makeup and skincare products can contribute to breakouts, so stop using a product that appears to be causing them.25

Acne is not caused by dirty skin, so repeated cleansing is not a treatment for persistent spots. If you already use an acne treatment that stays on your skin, be careful about adding a cleanser with acne treatment ingredients: the combination can cause excessive dryness and irritation.36

How long should you massage the balm?

There is no universal cleansing time, including a mandatory 60 seconds. The appropriate time depends on the cleanser, your skin and what you need to remove. Follow the product's directions rather than extending the massage to meet a rule from social media. The immediate aim is makeup removal, not a change in acne or skin texture over several weeks.1

When should you stop or get help?

Stop using a cleanser that causes redness, itching or swelling. Persistent dryness, tightness or stinging is a reason to reduce cleansing and switch to a gentler formula, rather than scrub harder. Cleansers can cause irritation or allergic reactions, and excessive washing can damage the skin barrier, the outer layer that helps retain moisture.13

A dermatologist can help if breakouts continue and you cannot identify which product is contributing. See a GP for widespread or painful acne, deep cysts, or acne that has not improved with pharmacy treatments. Changing your makeup remover is not a substitute for treating persistent acne.56