How “Higher Than Balm” Double Cleanses With Simply One Product

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 know-how, 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 provides you a correct double cleanse with only one product (sure, you learn that proper!).

I labored laborious 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 turn into my favourite option 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 undoubtedly turn into a mainstay within the skincare world. You realize the sort—it’s thick, perhaps somewhat waxy, and while you flip the jar the other way up, it doesn’t budge. And hear, I totally perceive why individuals like utilizing these! They really feel wealthy and moisturizing, they usually do a fantastic job of eradicating make-up. However, this could come at a value. Finally, 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 manufactured from heavy oils or waxes which are actually tough to rinse off. The result’s that many cleaning balms find yourself leaving an oily movie behind in your pores and skin. This may depart you feeling smooth 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 are designed to go deep into the pores and skin. In the event you put a small molecule on high of a big one, it received’t be capable of penetrate by means of. (For this reason I used to be by no means a fan of double cleaning with a balm prior to now.) 

Whereas it’s essential to decide on a cleanser with out harsh components that may strip your pores and skin, the principle perform of a cleanser is to, properly, cleanse. You shouldn’t be counting on it for moisture—that’s the place the remainder of your skincare is available in. The truth is, in case your cleanser is leaving an oily movie behind, it might probably 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 typically made up of—you guessed it—smaller molecules. So, a layer of oil would truly stop hydration from moving into your pores and skin.

After 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 system 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 comprises a better quantity of surfactants than conventional cleaning balms. Getting the right ratio of oil to surfactants was undoubtedly 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 successful mixture that allowed Higher Than Balm to work in two phases.

Part 1: Oil Part

Part one in every of Higher Than Balm is an expensive but light-weight oil. Oil works so properly to dissolve make-up as a result of it’s lipophilic, which means it’s interested in different oils. Or, put extra merely, “like dissolves like.” 

The oil part 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, which means the particles are giant 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 disadvantage of heavy oils is that they’ve a excessive melting level, which 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 right companion for gua sha or lymphatic drainage therapeutic massage. 

You’ll be able to 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!

Movie star Esthetician & Skincare Knowledgeable
As an esthetician educated 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 knowledgeable has created a real-world resolution — merchandise which are formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get precisely what it must feel and appear its finest. 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 “probably the most passionate pores and skin practitioner we all know.”