I want to shout about the Cleansing Balm from the rooftops because it is hands down my favorite skincare product on the market—and that’s a bold statement coming from me!! Beautycounter’s Cleansing Balm totally transformed my skin and today I am showing you my step by step process for how I use it each night!

Pro tip: Add the Band of Beauty membership (great rewards, no strings attached) to your cart with $50 of Beautycounter products and get the Deluxe Travel Size for FREE. April only! 

Let’s start with the science:

I was first introduced to the oil cleansing method from my dear friend Primally Pure, which I detail in this post. I admit I was totally skeptical at first! 

Oil cleansing is based off the scientific principle that ‘like cleanses like.’ So beneficial oils cleanse out the “yucky” oils on your face that lead to clogged pores, blemishes, acne, etc. But unlike other harsh cleansers, using oils or balms provides a deep cleanse without stripping your delicate face cells of all moisture.  In fact, when you use oil-free cleansers or harsh cleansers, they actually strip your face of moisture and cause your face to produce more of the un-beneficial oils that cause acne/blemishes. Crazy how that works, right?!

This is just one of the many reasons myself and so many other beauty experts are obsessed with oil cleansing! Seriously, I was a huge skeptic and my only regret is I didn’t try it sooner!

I used to be the girl that would stand in the mirror for a good 20 minutes at night trying to squeeze all the junk out of my pores. Gross. My face just never felt clean. 

Enter oil cleansing with the Cleansing Balm and my face and pores feel so clean, hydrated, smooth and soft!!

I started using it postpartum when my skin was just super irritated—dry, very blemish prone, dull and just irritated in general. Within 2 days of using the Cleansing Balm I noticed a huge difference in softness, clean pores and overall dewy, clear complexion! Now I’m hooked and try to never go a night without it!

Here’s my stop by step tutorial:

Step 1: Remove your makeup—now the Cleansing Balm doubles as a makeup remover, so you can use it as a one-step-fits-all approach, but I prefer to first remove my makeup with these biodegradable makeup remover wipes.  I find that it allows the balm to penetrate and be more effective. Trust me, you want to remove your makeup first. You will noticed a huge difference!

Step 2: Apply the balm—take a pea sized amount in your fingers and rub all over your face. Give yourself a little massage while you are at it!  Allow it to sit on your skin for 10-15 minutes or even longer if you have the time. If not, don’t worry, you can rinse immediately.

Step 3: Cleanse with warm water + a washcloth—rinse with warm water and then place a warm wash cloth over your face until it cools.  Do this a few times and wipe away any excess balm. Again, if you are pressed for time, you can skip the washcloth, but I do notice it makes a difference. The steam from the wash cloth gives you a mini facial!

Step 4: Dry + moisturize—dry your face with a towel or even allow it to air dry for a few minutes.  Apply your nighttime moisturizer—I prefer to do my ‘hero step’ next with the Overnight Resurfacing Peel a few times per week, followed up with the Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion. For some, the Cleansing Balm might be enough to keep your skin hydrated and you may not need a nighttime moisturizer every night!

In a rush to get snuggled up in bed? Simply remove your makeup and apply a thin layer of Cleansing Balm all over your face as a deeply cleansing and hydrating overnight mask.  Rinse in the morning and watch your face glow!

Consistency is KEY! And when I am consistent, I notice the biggest difference. Especially the trio of the Cleansing Balm, Overnight Resurfacing Peel and Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion. Your skin will feel so soft, glowing and refreshed in the morning! It’s the MAGIC TRIO!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do you use this instead of an actual cleanser?

A: Yes! The ‘oil cleansing’ method is a cleansing method and I use this as my nighttime cleanser. If you are new to the oil cleansing method or skeptical like I was at first, start by using this as your makeup remover or a deep cleansing method and then use a cleanser, but you might quickly find you switch to exclusively using this as your cleanser.

Q: What do you use to cleanse your face in the morning?

A: Typically I simply rinse my face with warm water. If I feel like my face needs more of a cleanse or I workout in the morning I alternate between Primally Pure’s Baby Bar (LOVE this!), Nourishing Cream Exfoliator or Clear Pore Cleanser.

Q: The Cleansing Balm is a big investment, is its worth it?

A: A million times YES—this is my favorite skincare item on the market by far! A little goes a long way so it lasts a long time, seriously you will be shocked by how long It lasts. I have yet to have a client disappointed with the cleansing balm, but if you want to test it out you can get the Deluxe Travel Size Cleansing Balm (get it for free in April when you join as a Band of Beauty member, no strings attached)!

Q: What skin types is the Cleansing Balm good for?

A: Honestly, I have yet to have one complaint from my personal clients with this product, it’s truly just that amazing! I would say in general, it works for *most* skin types (if you have a specific skin issue, get in touch with me). It works particularly well for dry skin, clogged pores, dull skin, blemish or acne prone skin, combination skin. But I have found it to be a great product for most skin issues!!

Questions about the Cleansing Balm or finding the right skincare routine for you? Send me an email (hello@flourish-living.com), I would love to help!