I like The Inkey List. Their Hyaluronic Acid is a staple, and so are some of their hair treatments. While a lot of their skincare single-focus products don’t interest me, I was intrigued by the Oat Cleansing Balm – what can I say, I’m a cleansing balm afficionado. But… I wasn’t intrigued with the results. Find out why in my Inkey List Cleansing Balm review.
What it is and what I want it to do
I’ve tried many, many cleansing balms and oils in my time as a blogger. As someone with somewhat sensitive skin, I find them most suitable for my skin needs and figuring this out definitely changed my skin for the better.
My own cleansing routine is somewhat elaborate: I usually use a cleansing balm for my eye makeup, following up with a cleansing oil for the rest of my face and a micellar water (that I rinse off) as a second cleanse for days when I’ve worn makeup or heavy sunscreens.
I’ve tried the Oat Cleansing Balm in two ways: to cleanse my whole face, and to cleanse off only my eye makeup. For that, my usual go-to is Clinique’s Take The Day Off cleansing balm.
The Oat Cleansing Balm is different to that in that it comes in a tube and therefore is more liquid than the waxy TTDO. It’s a thick balm that’s prone to separating in the tube from Day 1, faintly yellow and smelling like – nothing?
- More: Cleanser 101
- And more: Some fave cleansing balms reviewed
Official description
“A rich cleansing balm that melts away makeup and impurities without drying the skin.
The Inkey List
Formulated with Oat Kernel Oil, a rich, natural Oat Oil which hydrates and moisturizes the skin and effectively removes SPF- perfect as a first cleanser in your double cleanse routine. Also contains Colloidal Oatmeal which contains a high level of skin beneficial natural actives, making it a must have cleanser to soothe irritated skin and reduce redness.”
Ingredients
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Oil, Candelilla Cera (Cire de candelilla), Silica, Sorbitan Stearate, Tribehenin, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Aqua (Water/Eau), Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil.
Usage
Here’s the thing that threw me off: you’re supposed to use that on DAMP skin, which sounds counterintuitive with an oil-based cleanser. Being the rebel that I am (lol), I tested it on damp and dry skin, and – spoiler! – it absolutely worked the same on me.
I use a generous amount (the website calls for a “small raspberry size” – huh?!), and massage it into my skin for a good 30 seconds. Especially with oil-based cleansers that’s important to really cleanse your skin and not just move your makeup around. Give. It. Time.
Emulsify that by splashing a bit water on your face and rinse off.
Effect
Aaaaaaaaand – nope. The Oat Cleansing Balm DOES NOT CLEANSE. It does not, although it explicitly states it on the website, remove my makeup properly. Now, I’m not the “natural”, “just throw on a tinted balm” type of makeup user. My mascara and liners are waterproof, my foundation usually full-coverage, and then there’s the SPF. I need a heavy-duty cleanser. This is not it.
On top of that, it leaves a slight film on my face that I don’t like. It’s not unpleasant per se, especially for dry skin, but it’s not for me.
On the pro side, this doesn’t sting my eyes at all and also didn’t leave an oily film on my eyeballs. (If you’ve ever used a cleansing balm to remove eye makeup, you know what I mean.)
Worth it – rating
I can totally envisage a cleansing routine in which the Oat Cleansing Balm has a place. Especially if you always do a double cleanse consisting in a cleansing balm and a cleansing gel or foam – yes. For me, it’s a no. I’ve better eye makeup removers, and more pleasant feeling face cleansers. Sorry Inkey, that’s a miss.
- More Inkey List: Hyaluronic Acid & Q10 serums review, Kaolin Clay Mask review, haircare review
Price & Availability
A whopping 150ml tube will cost you 10,99€.
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
