Washed my face twice. On purpose. For science.
The promise: a balm that melts makeup so completely, your second cleanse can actually do its job — not just mop up the first cleanser’s residue.
It’s the Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm. $38 for 3.7 oz. The claim? A first cleanse so effective it transforms your entire routine.
The Texture
Starts as a solid, melts on contact.
The Scent
Subtle, herbal citrus — not a fake perfume bomb.
The Rinse
Emulsifies with water into a milky liquid, not an oily film.
Photo: Natallia Photo / Unsplash
It’s a cocktail of oils and butters designed to dissolve, not just coat. The hero is sea buckthorn oil — packed with omegas to break down sebum.
- Sea Buckthorn Oil: Dissolves stubborn sunscreen and sebum
- Mango Seed Butter: Softens without heavy waxes
- Japanese Licorice Root Extract: Calms redness post-wipe
- Antioxidant Blend: Fights free radicals from pollution
Photo: Christian Agbede / Unsplash
The texture is divine — like smoothing warm honey over your skin. It doesn’t tug. My waterproof mascara dissolved in 15 seconds of gentle massage.
By week two, my skin felt softer after cleansing, not tight. The surprise? My pores on my nose looked less clogged — the balm got what my foaming cleanser alone was missing.
Photo: Lora Seis / Unsplash
My foundation comes off easier. Skin is balanced — not stripped, not greasy. But it didn’t magically erase blackheads. This is about prep, not a miracle.
Photo: Viva Luna Studios / Unsplash
Double cleansing isn’t a myth — but this balm makes it a pleasure, not a chore. It’s the best first step I’ve tried.