Discussing why the Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm has been my favourite 3-in-1 cleansing balm for over a year, the science behind certain ingredients and why I hope my skin never tires of it!
The Product
The Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm by Banila Co quote ‘quickly and easily melts away even the most stubborn face and eye make-up’, and after using this product for over a year now, its ability to breakdown even the toughest of formulas, such as water-proof mascara, is phenomenal. The original formula, designed with all skin types in mind and formulated with active botanicals, hot spring water, Vitamin E and Vitamin C, cleans, cleanses and hydrates the skin all in one simple step.
Banila Co state to ‘gently massage the product in circular motions onto dry skin’ which allows the formula to efficiently breakdown all products and oils on the skin. Then ‘add water to emulsify the oils, and massage again’. This second step definitely breaks down the make-up even further, and when rinsing and drying with a face cloth or towel makes the skin feel far more hydrated, with products removed more effectively.
The product also comes with a small spatula to scoop the balm out of the pot, ensuring bacteria isn’t transferred from hands into the pot with the rest of the product. For me the Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm has been a game changer in cutting down my use of make-up remover wipes, becoming a far more environmentally aware and sustainable consumer across my whole beauty and skincare routines.
There are so many reasons to try a cleansing balm in place of products such as bar cleansers, micellar waters, wipes or other make-up removing products. The change in seasons means temperatures and humidity fluctuate and it can be harder for skin to stay hydrated. Balms are one of the most effective products to remove make-up and oils without drying out your skin, and Banila Co’s Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm is not only one of my favourite K-Beauty brands and products, but cleansing balms available across the skincare marketplace. A great price point is matched to incredibly nourishing and beneficial ingredients, an environmentally conscious brand and products, as well as eye catching pink packaging. The Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm is now an absolute staple across my year round skincare routines!
What I love most about this product is its incredible formula, as all Banila Co Cleansing Balms are formulated without:
The Science
On my hunt for the best cleansing balm, taking into account the benefits, reviews, my skin type and pricing to quantity ratios, ingredients are by far my stand-out for continuing to purchase this product. Ingredient lists are a key starting point to my product research, as some beauty and skincare brands still formulate their cleansing balm products with Polyethylene. Whilst some state on their websites and product pages that ‘it is not in solid form, therefore not considered a microplastic in accordance with current EU Law’, if so many brands are formulating their cleansing balm products without this harmful ingredient, why is it still needed for these brands, some even vegan and cruelty-free, cleansing balm formulas?
Firstly, Polyethylene is completely safe for human health. It is a desirable ingredient due to being low cost, an exfoliating, film-forming and viscosity control agent, meaning it’s soft on the skin and prevents the separating of the balm formula. The core argument around Polyethylene being used in beauty and skincare products, especially cleansing balms which go directly into water flow systems, is the fact that it is a polluting plastic, especially for marine environments. Incorporated into formulas in the form of microbeads, these have now been found across multiple marine environments, as microbeads do not biodegrade and are subsequently ingested by various fish species. The continuing pollution of marine environments by microbeads is unnecessary and morally abhorrent, as omitting Polyethylene does not compromise the quality characteristics or push-up the price, so why is it not omitted from all cleansing balm products?
Final Thoughts
It is always important to remember that skincare products which work best for one person’s skin type, may be an absolute nightmare for someone else’s, and likewise for their family, friends, colleagues or partner. The experts are the experts for a reason. Doctors and dermatologists should always be the first port of call, and as consumers we can become as informed as possible about our specific skin type and what products could work best, with the likes of written and video reviews, tutorials, blogs and verified medical journals. Remember, it can take up-to three months of incorporating a new product into a skincare routine to see the benefits.
For me, research, reviews and ingredients were key to my first purchase on the Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm. Being an absolute staple in my night time skincare routine, I truly hope my skin never tires of this amazing product. So, go give it some research, potentially even a try, as not only could it benefit your skin type but also your environmental impact as a beauty consumer.
Note – All Beauty products featured on Creatively Char are independently selected, purchased and used by myself. Unless stated, no retail links, products or brands featured will earn an affiliated commission or have been sent via PR for sponsored content.