The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm Review

[unpaid/sample/affiliate/ad] I’ve got my reservations about The Inkey List – specifically how many products they’re recommending for skin care routines. On the side of the Oat Cleansing Balm box, there’s a How To Layer Products section that has an eight product regime which I think is too much and unless you specifically enjoy that level of care, unnecessary. It goes: Clean, Hydrate, Treat (1. toner, 2. exfoliate, 3. targeted treatments, 4. eye treatments), Moisturise, SPF. What goes into ‘Hydrate’ isn’t clear. That all said, The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm is a pretty thorough cleansing balm if you like a thick textured balm.

You need a bit of strength to squeeze the balm out of the tube – I think it possibly would be better in a pot because on a cold day I think it might be more of a struggle than you’re prepared for at 6am on a Monday morning! If you like a double cleanse, The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm is perfect for the first part of that because it cleans very well but leaves a slight residue. Personally, I like the flexible skin feel of that but if you prefer the ‘squeak’ you might want to follow on with something else.

I also have a bottle of Lactic Acid which I think is useful for adding into cleansing gels or moisturisers for some very gentle exfoliation – good for dryer skin types – which should be followed with moisturiser. But, the Inkey List website offers some cautions for use: ‘It is not recommended to use both Lactic Acid and Retinol at the same time, use on different nights if required. Don’t mix with other AHAs (Glycolic Acid, Alpha Hydroxy Acid, Mandelic Acid or Apple Cider Vinegar) , BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acid or C-50 Blemish Treatment) or PHA Toner. Avoid mixing Vitamin C products at the same time (Use Vitamin C AM and AHA PM)’. I feel that is a cautionary tale for multiple product routines – you really, really have to know what you’re doing. It’s also not recommended for day use – night time only – and adding ‘a pea sized amount’ is careless because its consistency is like water and I cannot make that a pea under any circumstances :-). The thing about The Inkey List is that it is offering, on the whole, great products at great prices – the cleansing balm is £8.79 on offer HERE, (previous price £10.99) and the Lactic Acid is £6.39 (from £7.99) HERE, but in a way it’s got too big for itself. It requires no small amount of studying of the contra-indications, the correct products for you (if indeed you have correctly identified the problems) and the application methods and order. Then, it starts to feel like hard work. I am happy with the balm and with the Lactic because I know what I’m doing with them but I could easily get lost if I added in multiple steps. I say, keep it simple and you can’t go too far wrong.

While I’m on the topic of affordable skin care, rather miraculously, Lucy is able to use Sali’s Cream Drench Moisturiser without any reaction at all. I say miraculously because her skin is SO sensitive that almost all she can use is Avene, so this is an absolute find and she is thrilled to have a ‘proper’ moisturiser. It’s £14 HERE.