My bathroom sink looked like a crime scene. Two cleansers, two towels, double the time.
The real test? Seeing if my stubborn mascara and city grit actually needed two steps to disappear.
This is the Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm. $38 for 3.7 oz. It promises to melt makeup and sunscreen into a milky rinse.
Squalane
Derived from olives, it hydrates without clogging pores.
Papaya Enzyme
A gentle exfoliant that dissolves dead skin cells.
No Mineral Oil
A clean base that won’t leave a film.
Photo: Clarissa Watson / Unsplash
It’s a short, smart ingredient list. No filler. The hero oils target different things — dissolving, nourishing, calming.
- Squalane: Mimics skin’s natural oil for hydration
- Papaya Enzyme: Gently breaks down dead skin
- Sea Buckthorn Oil: Antioxidant-rich, fights dullness
- Calendula Extract: Soothes redness and irritation
Photo: freestocks / Unsplash
It starts as a solid balm that warms into a silky oil on contact. Smells like a citrus grove — not fake, just bright.
By week two, I noticed something: my second cleanser barely foamed. Proof it was actually removing the first cleanse residue.
My pores looked clearer. No more mascara raccoon eyes in the morning. But my hormonal breakouts? Unchanged — this isn’t an acne treatment.
Double cleansing isn’t necessary for everyone. But for a truly deep clean? It works. This balm makes the first step a pleasure.