I smeared a full face of waterproof mascara and SPF 50, then grabbed the Then I Met You balm.
This wasn’t about a light cleanse. It was about proving a point — can oil truly dissolve oil without a fight?
A $48 cleansing balm that claims to melt makeup and “purify” pores. The hype is all about the first step in the double cleanse method.
Scoop Texture
It’s a firm jelly in the jar, not a soft balm.
Transforms on Skin
Warms into a silky oil that doesn’t drip down your neck.
Rinses Clean
Emulsifies with water into a milky liquid — no oily film left behind.
Photo: Siora Photography / Unsplash
It’s an oil blend with some smart extras. The hero is sea buckthorn oil, packed with omegas to dissolve grime without stripping.
- Sea Buckthorn Oil: Dissolves sebum and makeup
- Papaya Enzyme: Gentle exfoliation — no granules
- Antioxidant Blend (Green Tea, Grape): Fights daily grime pollution
- Japanese Cedar Extract: A subtle, woody scent
Photo: Renaldo Matamoro / Unsplash
The scent is citrus-herbal — like a fancy spa, not a candy shop. It feels luxurious, not medicinal.
By week two, my sink towels were noticeably cleaner. The balm was grabbing everything — no leftover mascara smudges on my pillowcase.
Photo: Gabriel Goncalves / Unsplash
My makeup removal time cut in half. Skin felt softer. But did it “transform” my pores? No. They looked cleaner, not invisible.
Double cleansing isn’t a myth — but this balm is a luxury, not a necessity. It makes the first step highly effective and borderline enjoyable.