[unpaid/sample/affiliate/ad] One of the biggest pleasures of this strange job is opening a new cleansing balm. The moment where you sweep the spatula across the perfect surface – never not a delight. However, you can tell a lot in that moment if you do it often enough and the smooth carve of Byoma Melting Balm Cleanser told me I’d found a good one!
It’s an interesting brand – founded by Marc Elrick in lockdown but it’s certainly not his first beauty rodeo. He is also behind Tan Luxe, Isle of Paradise and Tanology so he knows what he’s doing. There are so many start ups in skin care at the moment, all following a very similar pattern of behaviour in looking to target a younger, more eco conscious consumer who wants skin care they can believe in. It’s hard to harness this customer fully because the room is completely full as it is, but what Byoma has done right is given the brand a price point that’s not out of reach.
Another thing I like about this brand is that, while they’re poised on the marketing, Byoma does have a USP which is to strengthen the skin barrier. Lockdown also brought about a great deal of skin meddling – trying to make your skin better when it’s already good. It’s the whole adding a bit of this here and a bit of that there, opting for strong acids and generally giving your skin far too much work to do with the result that it’s more sensitive and fragile as a result. Byoma directs the other way – less is more, ingredients are basic but effective and more importantly, give your poor cells a break from over complication.
The cleansing balm is the ideal starter product from this brand (any age!) – lipid friendly oils, fragrance free and cuts through make up and SPF. It’s a good one, and at £14.99 HERE, exceptionally good value for the quality. Interestingly, despite the brand’s Instagram not showing anyone over the age of 20 (my guess), this is available in SpaceNK which has a significantly older customer base. Any minute now, I predict a change of tack as Byoma realises that we all want this, not just the ‘kids’.
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All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
8 comments
Hi there! You reviewed the ELF cleansing balm as well and just curious what your thoughts are between the two. Which would you more highly recommend?
Thanks!
Hi Laura, well I like them both but with elf I think I mentioned I found it a bit filmy round my eyes but with Byoma I didn’t. They’re both great cleansers but I think Byoma has the edge.
I tried one of the moisturizers from this brand (the lavender bottle? Retinol/bakuchiol?) and loved it but there was a mismatch between the formula and the packaging in that after a fairly short while it got too thick and wouldn’t come out the pump. The rigid sides also meant that even with the pump off, I couldn’t get the (loads) of product left in the corners.
Good “juice” though and I might try this balm cleanser.
That’s interesting to know – I did wonder about the logistics of putting stuff in ‘square’ tubs… looks cute but needs a spatula to go with it!
Lovely to get good and affordable cleanser! Package is cute too… But I’m a freak – I NEED my cleansers to have some aroma – of some of the ingredients or added. Scentless products somehow give me less satisfaction even while I perfectly realize that the less scent the less potential irritation.
I can completely understand that. And if you’re not sensitive, enjoy! I was in heaven with the Dior SPF because of the monoi while realising it would probably be better without it!
I ordered after reading your review, Jane. Love Cleansing Balms. They actually put a proper use by date on the bottom of the tub. Massive tick for that. Lovely product, I do use a spatula as I have quite a few Emma Hardie ones I keep.
Oh great, so pleased to know x