I’ve been engaged on one thing actually particular for the previous three years, and at present, I’m so excited to lastly unveil it to the world! Meet Better Than Balm—our first-ever, oil-based cleanser.
I knew that if I created a cleaning balm, it wanted to be completely different. What makes Higher Than Balm distinctive is its dual-phase expertise, which permits it to remodel from an oil right into a milky gel. This cleanser’s energy actually lies in its transformation, and it’s that very same transformation that offers you a correct double cleanse with only one product (sure, you learn that proper!).
I labored arduous to make a product that I felt was efficient and in addition a pleasure to make use of, and since creating this balm, it’s rapidly grow to be my favourite approach to take away make-up at night time. Because it took so lengthy to get right here, I assumed I’d share the journey behind this particular product and break down what makes it completely different—and why it’s actually higher than balm.
The Inspiration—Why “Higher Than Balm?”
Cleaning balms have positively grow to be a mainstay within the skincare world. You already know the kind—it’s thick, possibly a bit of waxy, and once you flip the jar the wrong way up, it doesn’t budge. And pay attention, I absolutely perceive why individuals like utilizing these! They really feel wealthy and moisturizing, and so they do an incredible job of eradicating make-up. However, this will come at a price. In the end, my inspiration for Higher Than Balm got here from constantly watching individuals use conventional cleaning balms incorrectly, to the detriment of their pores and skin.
The Downside With Conventional Cleaning Balms
Many individuals like utilizing cleaning balms as a result of it makes their pores and skin really feel moisturized. However have you ever ever stopped to consider why your pores and skin feels so moisturized after? It’s as a result of these balms are product of heavy oils or waxes which can be actually troublesome to rinse off. The result’s that many cleaning balms find yourself leaving an oily movie behind in your pores and skin. This would possibly go away you feeling gentle and moisturized, however it additionally means the remainder of your skincare merchandise aren’t going to work as successfully. Oils are made up of huge molecules, and merchandise like serums are made with tiny molecules which can be designed to go deep into the pores and skin. If you happen to put a small molecule on prime of a giant one, it gained’t be capable of penetrate by. (That is why I used to be by no means a fan of double cleaning with a balm previously.)
Whereas it’s necessary to decide on a cleanser with out harsh elements that may strip your pores and skin, the principle perform of a cleanser is to, nicely, cleanse. You shouldn’t be counting on it for moisture—that’s the place the remainder of your skincare is available in. Actually, in case your cleanser is leaving an oily movie behind, it may well truly dehydrate your pores and skin over time. You see, all pores and skin varieties want a mix of oil and water to be wholesome. Water-based merchandise are usually made up of—you guessed it—smaller molecules. So, a layer of oil would truly forestall hydration from entering into your pores and skin.
Once I was creating this product, I used to be decided to make one thing with all the advantages of a conventional cleaning balm, and not one of the drawbacks.
The System
From a components standpoint, there are two issues that make Higher Than Balm stand out. First, the oil we use is much more light-weight than most oils. Second, this cleanser incorporates the next quantity of surfactants than conventional cleaning balms. Getting the proper ratio of oil to surfactants was positively the trickiest a part of the formulation course of, and it despatched me again to the drafting board greater than as soon as. We ended up with a profitable mixture that allowed Higher Than Balm to work in two phases.
Part 1: Oil Part
Part one among Higher Than Balm is an expensive but light-weight oil. Oil works so nicely to dissolve make-up as a result of it’s lipophilic, that means it’s interested in different oils. Or, put extra merely, “like dissolves like.”
The oil element of Higher Than Balm is caprylic/capric triglyceride. It’s made by purifying small, fatty molecules from coconut oil right into a liquid, emollient kind. The defining property of caprylic/capric triglyceride is that it has a low molecular weight. Most oils have a really excessive molecular weight, that means the particles are massive and find yourself simply sitting in your pores and skin. Since caprylic/capric triglyceride is so light-weight, it’s additionally extra appropriate for greasy or acne-prone pores and skin varieties, like Skin Types 1-4.
One other downside of heavy oils is that they’ve a excessive melting level, that means it’s very easy for them to re-solidify or harden in your pores and skin. Caprylic/capric triglyceride has a decrease melting level, which permits it to offer steady slip as an alternative of hardening. It glides seamlessly, making this cleanser the proper companion for gua sha or lymphatic drainage therapeutic massage.
You may watch this enjoyable little experiment I did to display how light-weight the oil molecules in Higher Than Balm are in comparison with conventional balms. No greasy mess right here!
Part 2: Gel Part
When you add water to Higher Than Balm, you activate part two. What you’re actually activating right here is sucrose laurate, the ingredient chargeable for this cleanser’s transformation. Sucrose laurate is a mild surfactant created from a mix of sugar and lauric acid. It could possibly emulsify the caprylic/capric triglyceride in order that it may be simply rinsed away with water and doesn’t go away a movie.
Under, you’ll be able to see the cleanser instantly begins to remodel when water is added, versus a conventional balm that doesn’t budge.
Having these two phases inside one cleanser mimics the double cleanse course of, however with only a single product.
Who Is It For?
Higher Than Balm is for anybody who desires to take away cussed make-up whereas sustaining wholesome, balanced pores and skin. It’s light and can be utilized nightly (or as wanted) by all skin types. This cleanser was created for make-up wearers who:
- Suppose conventional cleaning balms are too heavy or waxy and like a extra light-weight texture
- Need to save time by successfully double-cleansing with only one product
- Are liable to breakouts and clogged pores, which heavy oils and stable waxes aren’t beneficial for
- Need an oil-based cleanser that doesn’t go away a barrier on their pores and skin (bear in mind, this will impede the penetration of serums utilized after)
Lastly, this cleanser is for anybody who loves a bit of aromatherapy with their nighttime self-care routine (in any case, isn’t that what skincare is?). I labored intently with the lab to give you a fantastic scent for Higher Than Balm; it’s heat, inviting, and enjoyable with refined hints of soppy rose. I’m absolutely obsessed and it’s one of many many causes this product has grow to be the very best a part of my nighttime routine!
Anxious about perfume in skincare merchandise? Study why it’s not as unhealthy as you’ve heard.
Use It
One factor Higher Than Balm does have in frequent with conventional balms is that you should use it appropriately in an effort to get all the advantages.
Step 1: Apply the cleanser to DRY pores and skin and gently therapeutic massage over the face for a full 30 seconds. It will begin to dissolve make-up, sunscreen, and sebum. For heavier make-up, equivalent to long-wear or full-coverage basis, therapeutic massage for 60 seconds.
Step 2: Utilizing your fingertips, add water to remodel the cleanser right into a milky gel. Therapeutic massage for an additional 30 seconds or, for heavier make-up, one other 60 seconds.
Step 3: Rinse your face with lukewarm water to take away the majority of the cleanser and make-up.
Step 4: Use a barely damp Reusable Cleansing Cloth and gently wipe throughout your face to take away each final hint of loosened make-up and particles. Repeat as wanted for heavier make-up.
Step 4 is so necessary as a result of whereas the cleanser dissolves your make-up, the bodily wiping motion of the fabric is what truly lifts that make-up off the pores and skin. In any other case, you’re simply smearing it round.
How Higher Than Balm Matches Into My Model Philosophy
Within the 26 years I’ve had my skincare line, I’ve all the time been adamant about not creating new merchandise primarily based purely on tendencies. I’ve to really imagine in a product’s capability to enhance individuals’s pores and skin. I additionally by no means wish to create a product only for the sake of it. I wish to make one thing as a result of I see a necessity for it and since I feel I can supply individuals one thing particular.
All through my profession, I’ve all the time preached utilizing a cleaning gel to take away sebum within the morning, and a cleaning lotion to take away make-up at night time. What pushed me to lastly come out with a balm cleanser was the evolution of basis make-up. Formulation have developed from BB and CC lotions into make-up that’s designed to remain on the pores and skin for hours and hours. Cleaning lotions can take off quite a bit, however for one of these complexion make-up, you simply want extra oil to get all of it off.
Higher Than Balm embodies my skincare philosophy and I’m very proud to be placing it out into the world. I find it irresistible, and I do know you’ll, too!
Up subsequent, be taught why you must all the time wash your face within the morning.
Superstar Esthetician & Skincare Skilled
As an esthetician skilled in beauty chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching pores and skin, educating her viewers, and constructing an award-winning line of merchandise. Her hands-on expertise as an esthetician and trusted skincare skilled has created a real-world resolution — merchandise which can be formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get precisely what it must feel and appear its greatest. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives across the globe, her huge real-world data and fixed analysis are why Marie Claire calls her “essentially the most passionate pores and skin practitioner we all know.”