Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

I’m not exactly sure when I first learned about the magic and efficiency of double cleansing, but I do know that it was a total game-changer for my skincare routine. Now, I feel like my face is never totally clean at night unless I cleanse it twice.

Nothing beats the power of an excellent first cleanse. But, finding a good oil cleanser can take some time. I’m pretty picky when it comes to oil cleansing products. I need it to do more than just remove my SPF. So, when Paula’s Choice came out with their first-ever cleansing balm, I had to try it! I mean, I’m a big fan of Paula’s Choice, I love the other items in the Omega+ Complex line, and it’s the brand’s first cleansing balm; how could I not be excited to try it?

Now that I’ve had some time with this product, I know you’re wondering whether it’s worth all the hype? Keep reading to find out.

How I Evaluate Cleansing Balms

I told you I was pretty picky when it came to cleansing balms. Essentially, cleansing balms should be great at removing oil, makeup, and dirt, all without irritating my skin barrier.

So, here are the few things I consider when I evaluate a cleansing balm:

How does it feel when I apply it? I want it to feel luxurious.
Does it have a good slip? I don’t want to pull and tug on my face as I massage the product in.
How well does it remove makeup, in particular, eye makeup? I expect my cleansing balms to double as a makeup remover. I wear mascara and fill in my eyebrows almost daily. So, I need the cleansing balm to be able to remove it all.
Does it leave a residue? No one wants a film on their face after they wash it.
Does it leave my skin feeling tight and dry afterward? Good oil cleansers should include emollients and humectants to bring moisture to your skin. I always want my skin to feel soft and hydrated, not stripped.

My Thoughts on the Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm

So now that you know what I look for in a cleansing balm, let’s talk about how the Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm stacks up:

How does it feel when I apply it?

Getting straight to the point, this cleansing balm comes out like a salve, has a velvety-soft consistency, and spreads wonderfully.

As someone with drier skin, I enjoy rich, thick cleansing balms, but that doesn’t work for everyone. The Paula’s Choice Omega+ Cleansing Balm has a velvety-smooth consistency, but it’s definitely not as rich and thick as some other cleansing balms that I love. Given that, I think this cleansing balm will work well for more skin types.

Does it have a good slip?

This cleansing balm glides very well. I’m able to give myself a nice massage without feeling like I’m tugging or pulling on my skin.

How well does it remove makeup, in particular, eye makeup?

Now, this is where I really fell in love! This cleansing balm removes every trace of makeup without needing a second cleanser. As I stated before, I wear light mascara and filling in my eyebrows almost daily. However, during my #winedownwednesday IG Lives, I may put on eyeliner and add more mascara than usual.

I used the Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm after a #winedownwednesday when I put on heavier makeup (for me at least), and it removed everything (eye makeup, concealer, bronzer, etc.) without me having to complete my second cleanse! I didn’t need to do a lot of rubbing over my eyes to remove my makeup either!

Does it leave a residue?

The hallmark of a good cleansing balm is that it cleanses without leaving a greasy sheen on your face, which for me, can cause breakouts.

Let me take it back a step to explain this a little further. Cleansing balms have two phases. First, the cleansing balm turns into an oily consistency that you massage on your face to remove all that surface debris. Then, when you add water, it turns into a milky consistency. Ideally, it will rinse off effortlessly with water and leave behind no residue.

So, when I evaluate an oil cleanser, I rate how easy it is to emulsify into that milky consistency and rinse off without leaving any of the product behind. And the Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm emulsifies extremely well, washes off easily, and leaves no residual film. CHEF’S KISS!

Does it leave my skin feeling tight and dry afterward?

I love the Omega+ Complex line because all the products contain a barrier-repairing complex of fatty acids that condition your skin while preventing moisture loss. The same holds true of the Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm.

There’s a blend of coconut-derived fatty acids, and omega-rich jojoba, and meadowfoam seed oil, which are all softening and emollient ingredients that ensure my face is left clean but NEVER stripped or dry. My skin feels hydrated and smooth after I rinse it off.

A FEW OTHER REASONS I LIKE THE NEW OMEGA+ COMPLEX CLEANSING BALM…

A little goes a long way.

You only need to use an almond-size amount of product. I used more the first time I tried it and felt like I used too much! So, I love that this will last me longer than expected.

It comes in tube packaging.

Let’s talk about the fact that it comes in a squeezable tube, which I think is a genius way to package an oil balm. Many cleansing balms come in tubs, which means you need to use your finger or a spatula to scoop out the product. So, I really appreciate this packaging for sanitary reasons.

How I Use The Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm

Apply the Cleansing Balm on Dry Skin.

Before you apply the cleansing balm, make sure your hands are clean and dry. And make sure your face is dry, too (not damp). Then, take an almond-sized amount of balm from the container onto your fingertips. (Trust me…you don’t need more since a little goes a long way!)

Massage the balm into your skin.

Using circular motions, massage the formula into your skin, applying gentle pressure to the cheeks, forehead, and eyebrows. This technique helps relax my facial muscles while promoting oxygen and blood flow to my skin. And, most importantly, this technique helps to really dissolve impurities and makeup.

Add Water.

Once the cleansing balm has turned into an oil and you’ve massaged it in, add water to emulsify the product. The oil will then change texture and turn into a milky consistency.

Remove with a wet washcloth.

After you’ve emulsified the cleansing balm, I wet a facecloth with warm water and gently wipe the cleanser off. I, personally, use my Clean Towels (Use code BEAUTYINCOLORBLOG for a discount), but a regular washcloth works too.

OPTIONAL: Splash face with lukewarm water.

I prefer to splash some lukewarm water on my face after I wipe the cleansing balm off. This get’s my skin ready for my second cleanse.

ROUND-UP & RANKING

WOULD I REPURCHASE?

Yes. I think the Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm is a fantastic product that’s easy to travel with and doesn’t require a lot of product to be effective.

WHERE CAN I PURCHASE IT?

You can shop directly on my Paula’s Choice Favorites page here.

WHO CAN USE IT?

Anyone. Given the consistency and how easily it emulsifies, I think oily/combination skin and drier skin types can use this product. And it’s fragrance-free.

WHEN DO I USE THIS?

I use this as the first cleanse of my double cleanse in my evening routine.

PRICE:

$28.00 (3.5 oz.)

INGREDIENTS:

Ethylhexyl Palmitate (emollient solvent), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (skin-replenishing), PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate (emollient cleansing agent), Diisooctyl Succinate (emollient), Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters (emollient cleansing agent/emulsifier), Trihydroxystearin (texture enhancer), Glyceryl Stearate (emulsifier), Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil (non-fragrant antioxidant/skin-softening omega fatty acid), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil (non-fragrant antioxidant/skin-softening omega fatty acid), Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil (non-fragrant antioxidant/skin-softening omega fatty acid), Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E/antioxidant).

RANKING:

#WINEDOWNWEDNESDAY WITH DEB KILGORE

Check out my #winedownwednesday conversation with Deb Kilgore, Director of Skincare Knowledge Development Programs for Paula’s Choice. We talked about the Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm and maintaining a healthy skin barrier on IG Live this past Wednesday, April 21st, at 7:00pm EST.

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GIVEAWAY!

Are you interested in trying the Omega+ Complex line? Well, as we discussed in Wednesday’s IG Live, here’s your chance!

I’ve partnered with Paula’s Choice to gift THREE READERS with:

All you need to do to enter the giveaway is sign up below. Once you’ve signed up, DM me on Instagram with your email address so I can confirm you are following me (@beautyincolor_official) and Paula’s Choice on Instagram! IT’S THAT SIMPLE!

The giveaway will end on Friday, April 30th, at midnight EST. The three winners will be announced in the Beauty In Color newsletter on Sunday, May 2nd.

Have you tried the new Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm from Paula’s Choice?

**If you’re interested in any of these products, you can purchase them directly on my Paula’s Choice Favorites page. And to learn about products from the Paula’s Choice line here.

REVIEW: The Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm