Where to purchase: Geek & Gorgeous Website: LINK
Price: £12.25
Volume: 100ml
Made in: Hungary
What is it?: A skin-gentle cleansing balm that can be used in the first step of a double-cleansing routine, to dissolve dirt and makeup. It emulsifies when in contact with water and is meant to rinse off easily with no greasy residue, leaving the skin soft.
Aims to: Remove Waterproof Makeup + Sunblock.
Supposedly Good for: All Skin Types (Including sensitive).
What I think: I would agree this suits sensitive skins. VERY dry skins and Dehydration-prone skins who use this in a double-cleansing routine may find this slightly stripping however.
Vegan?: Yes
Cruelty-Free?: Yes
How long does it last after opening?: 8 Months. (2 years if unopened).
Malassezia Suitable?: No
Packaging: Plastic tub with a screw-top lid. This did not come with a spatula.
Directions: Use dry fingertips to scoop a half-walnut to walnut size amount onto dry skin and massage gently over the face and eyes. Add some lukewarm water to emulsify the product and help dissolve makeup and/or sunblock. In a double-cleansing routine: follow with a water-based cleanser. (From the Website).
How I use it: If I am removing makeup, I will use this in the first step of makeup removal (where it does a lot of the heavy lifting and makeup dissolving/removing, and then I will go in with the more gentle Jelly Joker, so that my dehydration-prone skin does not get too stripped of moisture.
Key Ingredients: Olive Oil, Synthetic Wax and other emollients such as: Ethylhexyl palmitate (helps break down waterproof makeup and sunblock) / PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate (mild surfactant that cleanses without leaving an oily residue) / Oleyl Erucate (good at dissolving makeup).
Full Ingredients: Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Oleyl Erucate, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE
Texture: This is a waxy balm that feels like silky wax (easy to scoop). When massaging into the skin, you can feel that wax begin to melt as it warms into the skin, but that velvety texture remains on top of the skin as you massage it in (doesn’t fully become an oil/liquid), meaning it doesn’t spread as far along the skin as an oil would. (See Video Swatch Below).
Sticky?: No
Greasy?: Yes, as this is a balm, this initially feels like a softer wax, and then when rubbing in, it melts into the skin and becomes oily.
Balls up?: No
Does this sting the eyes: No
- As you can see, this does have a wax-base. And you can see the little wax balls begin to melt away as you smooth this into the skin.
Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: No
Summer or Winter?: Both seasons
Stings the eyes?: No
Turns milky when washing off?: Yes (Makes this easy to wash off)
Video Swatch:
- As you can see, this has a silky/wax texture that is not sticky or tacky.
Fragrance?: Fragrance + EO Free. In the tub, this smells of wax, but I don’t get a strong scent when massaging this into the skin.
Good at removing Makeup?: Makeup Removal Test
(Left to right): Lip Liner / Liquid Lipstick / Liquid Lipstick / Regular Lipstick / Liquid Eyeliner
As you can see, it does take some time and some gentle massaging, but this does melt/dissolve even waterproof makeup. I can understand why this is recommended as the first cleanse in a makeup-removing routine, as another round of cleansing would be required to completely remove all dirt off the skin gently. I also understand why the Jelly Joker (Swatches + Review HERE) is recommended in that second cleanse, as it is very gentle and so hopefully, would not leave the skin feeling tight too.
Is this easy to wash off?: Yes
How long have I been using this?: 3-4 Months.
Will I use until Completion?: Yes.
How Long will that take?: Another 4-5 Months.
The Effect?: Skin that has been cleansed and doesn’t feel too dry.
- However, if your skin is dehydration-prone, then this could leave the skin feeling a little ”thirsty”, so going in with a very gentle cleanser in a double cleanse, or just using this as a single cleanse, may be more beneficial.
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What I like:
- Dissolves makeup efficiently (especially in a double-cleanse)
- Doesn’t dry out my skin too much or make the skin feel painful after cleansing (oily-combination skin)
- Gentle on the skin (hasn’t stung or irritated the skin)
- Soft wax (doesn’t scratch or grate the skin
- Fragrance + EO Free
- Cruelty-Free
What I don’t like:
- Waxy texture/base may be off-putting to some who prefer a more oily/sorbet-like balm
- Does not entirely melt down into a liquid oil
- Didn’t come with a spatula
- Can still make the skin feel a little ”thirsty” i.e. dehydration-prone skins (or very dry skins) may find a double-cleansing routine with this a little ”tightening”
Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4.1/5 – A really nice cleansing balm. It’s not as luxurious as the Huda Clean Genie Cleansing Balm (quite a waxy base), BUT I really like the sort of ”whipped” soft feeling this balm has. It doesn’t melt entirely into an oil (some may enjoy that, and some may not, see video swatch above). But, it does the job and is unscented and suits even sensitive skin, as it doesn’t seem to sting, itch or burn (but dehydration-prone skins, or very dry skins may find a double cleanse with this, ultimately a little stripping after cleansing the skin twice). And overall, this does help dissolve makeup in the first step of a cleansing routine and does remove sunblock.
Would I repurchase?: Yes. It is affordable, cleanse quite well, is unscented and didn’t sting my skin.
Dupe?: I love the Huda Beauty Clean Genie cleansing balm (Swatches + Review HERE), as I love its texture and how soft it feels. It is Vegan + Cruelty-Free, but does contain fragrance however.
Available at: Cult Beauty: LINK / Selfridges: LINK / Adore Beauty: LINK
- The Beauty of Joseon – Radiance Cleansing Balm (Swatches + Review HERE) is also Vegan and Cruelty-Free and is unscented. It too, also contains a waxy base. It cleanses almost as well as the Geek & Gorgeous Balm.
Available at: Stylevana: LINK / Soko Glam: LINK / Yesstyle: LINK
- The Clinique – Take the Day off Cleansing Balm is a cult classic. It feels very similar to this Geek and Gorgeous balm as it too also has that soft, waxy texture that melts not entirely into an oil. It is also unscented.
Available at: Clinique: LINK / Look Fantastic: LINK / Sephora: LINK
My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.
Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.
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My Skincare Regime 