When to cleanse.

I sent out a tweet a couple of weeks ago that became one of my most RT'd ever.

It had been on my mind after the first couple of weeks of skin consults where the majority of people who came to see me said that they cleansed their skin before they went to bed, not when they got home.

So I thought it worth repeating on here as a lot of readers aren't on twitter:

Cleanse your skin and remove your makeup when you get home, NOT when you go to bed.
As a typical example, if you get home at 6 and go to bed at 11, that's 5 hours of grime, sweat, makeup and general dirt on your face for another 5 hours. If you get rid of it as soon as you go home your skin is luxuriating in oils/balms/nighttime treatments for an extra FIVE hours (as an example).

Take everything off when you get home, go about your evening, then when you go to bed check your skin. If everything has absorbed you can add a little more of the heaviest product you used, in my case, facial oils or balms, before you get in bed. You are aiming for a happy, glowing skin, not a greasy slimy face.

I promise you - if you aren't doing this already, you will see immediate results from this one simple change.

And those of you who have said you don't want your partner to see you without makeup. Get a grip. And possibly a new partner. JUST SAYIN'.

BALMOLOGY CLEANSE Neroli and Sweet Basil Cleansing Balm

I've had varying questions/reactions to previous balm reviews - a lot of concerns re fragrance - synthetic/too much/not enough - and texture - too runny/not thick enough/not a real 'balm'.

This cleansing balm should tick most of your boxes.

Unlike a lot of other balms - this one is completely water-free. It's a proper, get-some-on-your-skin and massage-it-to-oblivion balm.

What's in it?

Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil, Prunus armeniaca (apricot) oil, Ricinus communis (castor) oil, Persea gratissima (avocado) oil, Cera alba (beeswax), Tocopherol, Citrus aurantium var. amara. (neroli), Citrus reticulata (mandarin), Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil). 

What's not in it?

Water, mineral oil, parabens, synthetic anything

Who is it for?

Pretty much anyone. There's nothing that should give any skin a hard time. I would say it is particularly excellent for a drier skin, but I'm more a combination and I'm fine. There is an entire FAQ's section on the website discussing the benefits of plant oils to a combination/oily skin. A woman after my own heart.

What's good about it?

• Wonderful texture, solid, but completely melts when massaged
• Quite possibly the best smelling balm you'll ever come across
• 100% natural - it is extremely rare to find something that can claim to be 100% natural - as soon as you add water, it's not considered natural - ironic but true...- this is the real deal
• Doesn't emulsify - if I wanted a balm to turn to milk - I'd buy a milk
• A little goes a long way. Although be warned - its hard not to use too much - purely for greed reasons.
• Made in Cheltenham (UK) by Catherine Lewis - I do like a homegrown start-up!
• Not product related - but the website lists full ingredients - something that the big boys still have to get their lazy-arsed attitudes around to doing - bravo Catherine!

What's not so good about it?

• Not much.
• I wouldn't personally use for makeup removal, but only because I want it for the massage stage. I tend to loosen my make-up with a little Una Brennan pre-cleanse (for example) and then go in with this. For me, this is a second stage cleanser.
• You cannot be lazy with this cleanser. If you don't remove properly with a washcloth/flannel you will have residue. There is no 'rinse away' with this. Any attempt to splash the face is met with the literal repelling of the water as it drips off your face. Excellent! 

How much is it?

£21.00 for 50g (same as 50ml).

This is a beautiful, 100% natural balm that leaves your skin smooth, soft, clean and smelling like a dream.

Highly recommended.

BALMOLOGY is available here.

* Purchase - a happy one at that. The Exotic Rose Beauty Oil is also divine - review coming.

   No affiliate link.

balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm (and Radiance Face Oil - secret spot weapon)

balance Me (their spelling) are an old favourite - if you like 'natural' products that really are 'natural' - this brand is for you.

What is it?

The Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm is the balm cleanser in their range and is lush. Note: If you used this when it first launched (as I did) and hated it because of the huge pieces of oats in it (as I did) fear not - it was very quickly reformulated and now has the very softest of oatmeal grain - soft enough to use around the eyes. Give it another go.

What's in it?

Well, you could look at the balance Me website as they have a full inci listing for every product clearly labelled.    *JAZZ HANDS, tips hat to balance Me team*

No 'active ingredients' nonsense - just the full list. For your ease though:

Prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, Colloidal oatmeal, Cera alba (unrefined beeswax), Mangifera indica (mango) seed butter, Butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter***, Theobroma cacao (cocoa) butter, Polyglyceryl-4 caprate, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic polyglycerides, Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic polyglycerides, Rubus chamaemorus (cloudberry) seed extract, Cocos nucifera (virgin coconut) oil***, Aleurites moluccana (kukui) oil, Rosa canina (rosehip) fruit oil, Camellia oleifera (camellia) oil, Citrus reticulata (mandarin red)*, Litsea cubeba (litsea may chang)*, Citrus aurantium amara (petitgrain)*, Anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile)*, Cananga odorata (ylang ylang)*, Coriandrum sativum (coriander)*, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) extract, Limonene**, Linalool**, Citral *natural pure essential oil **naturally occurring in essential oils ***certified organic ingredient

Who is it for?

Labelled as 'normal to dry/sensitive' - although the shea butter and beeswax content feels quite refined and shouldn't therefore break out any oily/combo skins.

What's good about it?

• lovely texture - perfect for massage
• doesn't emulsify into a runny milk - holds its form
• does not sting the eyes - at all (on me)
• removes makeup but I would still use a pre-cleanse oil over eye area first
• doesn't leave oily residue
• affordable!

What's bad about it?

I'm ignoring the muslin cloth. 

How much is it?

Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm is £20.00 for 125ml (I know!) - £20.00! available from balanceme.co.uk 

Highly recommended.

While you're there:

If you are someone who suffers from spots/breakouts/acne and slaps on toothpaste (loads gun) or nappy cream (fires gun) - use the above instead. This little rollerball is on my bedside and in my MU bag. Any sign of a zit and it gets rolled to death. Continuous use of an oil like this one is much better for your skin and your spots - and helps prevent scarring - in essence if you use this it will either:

• bring the spot to a head without scarring - OR
• make it completely disperse before it comes to a head
• Also helps heal scarring old and new (remember scars can only be helped without machinery intervention if they are still red/pink, showing blood circulation - this will not fix the scar on your knee that you did when you were 6).

Everyone should have one. £15.00 from balanceme.co.uk  - the 10ml size is the rollerball.