List1 of 9
If you're a skin care junkie like me, you've likely dropped absurd amounts of cash on skin care over the last month, desperately trying to create an updated winter routine before the bitter cold sets in. (You never do know when the first frost will rear its ugly head -- lookin' at you, Halloween 2020 snow.) So, while I continue to scramble for thicker moisturizers that won't clog my pores, light-but-not-too-light chemical exfoliators and some kind of mask to soak it all in, I've noticed a theme in my choices.
They're called cleansing balms, and they look positively plump.
As someone who's dealt with acne with no end in sight since puberty, I don't typically stray from either basic, gentle cleansers or those rife with salicylic acid. But, uh, these balms have my eye. Somewhere between a mask and a cream consistency, these balms tout their makeup-removing properties and promise a clean face -- and I'm all for another reason to ditch the makeup wipes. Plus, they fit right in with the rest of your routine if you've adopted the double cleansing method.
The thickness of a balm isn't something that you may reach for during the summer, when humidity is at an all-time high and you likely deal with more sweat; thinner, lighter products do well in the heat. But as the temperatures begin to dip and our skin starts to flake, I can't think of something more luxurious than covering my face in a thick, jelly-like balm.
So, what are our options?