As you know from my previous post, I REALLY like a good cleansing balm, especially in the evening. I had managed to work through all of my back-up cleansers a couple weeks ago, and I decided to reward myself with this balmy beauty: the
NUDE Perfect Cleanse Omega Cleansing Jelly ($38 for 100ml/ 3.4 fl oz), a gel-to-milk cleanser suitable for use around the eyes.
That last piece of information may seem very 'duh' to you, but you'd be surprised how many oil/balm cleansers perform poorly around the eye area, causing stinging, blurred vision or failing to remove any make-up. Even though the Omega Cleansing Jelly contains both problematic (for me) bitter orange extract and fragrance, it's mild enough not to cause any irritation around my eyes - yay!
I've actually opted to purchase this balm cleanser for several reasons. First, I really liked the sample I received a while back with a Sephora order (see, using up those samples sometimes really does end in happy discoveries), second, I was glad to see the product packaged in a soft squeezy tube as opposed to a fiddly pot with a screw-on lid, third, I like that the ingredients' list is so short and sweet. I could do without the added fragrance, but the slight fruity scent isn't too strong and makes for a more enjoyable experience, I guess. As for the omega acids claims, it's worth noting that all of your good, natural oil-based balms and other skincare products contain omega fatty acids - because all base/ plant oils contain omega acids, just in slightly different proportions. Sunflower oil, which is the main ingredient in the NUDE Omega Cleansing Jelly, is especially rich in Omega-6 and Omega-9.
I use the Omega Cleansing Jelly as my second cleanser on days I'm wearing make-up and/or sunscreen, after having removed those with a cleansing oil, or as my only night-time cleanser on days when I go barefaced. I start with a dry or slightly damp face (which you would have after having removed that first cleanser with a wash cloth), and work a small dollop around - it takes a little work for the balm to melt into more of an oil consistency, but I always spend a bit more time to do that second cleanse, so I don't mind.
Now, the Nude Cleansing Jelly is a bit different than some popular cleansing balms in that it actually emulsifies, thanks to the addition of sucrose palmitate and sucrose laurate in the formulation - meaning, turns into a milk when a bit of water is added. Many folks prefer emulsifying balms/ oils as they're a bit easier to remove, especially if you're just rinsing with water. I always use a wash cloth anyway, so it doesn't really matter to me either way, but I think if you're a balm cleanser neub, the Cleansing Jelly could be a good option for you. In that way, I find it quite similar to the famous Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm (
click!), except with a slightly firmer texture, and obviously much cheaper and easier to get hold of in the US.
All in all, I really like this Omega Cleansing Jelly, and I've been enjoying reaching for it every evening. I don't know if it's the best cleansing balm I've ever tried (well, I'd be hard pressed to choose just one), but it's definitely up there with my other favorites. It doesn't irritate or strip my skin, gets rid of residual make-up, and feels luxurious on the face. If you've been on the fence about it or have been looking for a new oil/balm/milk cleanser, I'd say give it a shot; the price is a bit up there, but you really don't need a lot, so it should last a while.
What is your favorite night-time cleanser? Have you tried any other products from NUDE?
Hey Monika, thanks for the review! I haven't tried anything from Nude but it IS on my list. I used up a pot of the Emma Hardie one and while I liked it, I won't repurchase because I'm just OK with the scent. I repurchased the Clinique one. It's so basic, but it just works and I doubt it could irritate anyone's skin :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Monika, I'm just finishing up my tube of this. Liked it but didn't love it. (Tried the Nude eye cream - same conclusion, like but no love.) I am also finishing Oskia Renaisance Cleansing Gel which I really like and would repurchase before the Nude cleanser. Have tried and really liked Emma Hardie and will repurchase after I try a few more out on my curiosity list.
ReplyDeleteHi Monika, this cleanser is on my list of to-trys :) I tried NUDE's radiant day moisturizer (feels luxe), cleansing oil (on par with tatcha's IMO), and their Miracle Mask (nice chemical + physical exfoliation, less on the physical bit though). LOVE their range! They have switched hands though - so i'm not certain if their formula remains the same as before.
ReplyDeleteOh hurrah! I just ordered this after a friend recommended it to me and I'm glad to have come across another rave. Can't wait to get it now!
ReplyDeleteGreat review Monika - this is on my list of cleansers to try but I have a few I'd like to use up before I take the plunge (also, it retails for $54 AUD here which makes me sad!) and I also have an Ole Henriksen cleanserin the wings that I bought on our honeymoon and am waiting in anticipation to crack into - I think I am taking far too long and building up momentum to actually open the darn thing! I always double cleanse when wearing sunscreen/makeup ie most days so this sounds like a nice option for sure!
ReplyDeleteI'm not too fussed with cleansers, but I love NUDE, actually! I am almost done with a bottle of their renewal serum, and I have a deluxe sample of their oil that I'm really liking, as well. I want to try their Miracle Mask next.
ReplyDeletei've been using this one a ton lately. I also wanted it because of a sample i got. :) I think it is really nice, and i like how it emulsifies!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! This is an addition to my list of products to try out. So excited about it!
ReplyDeleteIf something has fragrance, please warn us. I check with the reviewers at Beautypedia before buying anything.
ReplyDeleteNude Skincare At-A-Glance
Strengths: Good water-soluble cleansers.
Weaknesses: Expensive; most of the products contain fragrance ingredients known to cause irritation; no sunscreens; no daily-use AHA or BHA products to exfoliate skin; no products to address the needs of those with acne or skin discolorations; the Replenishing Night Oil doesn't replenish anything; some products will see their natural ingredients become ineffective due to jar packaging.
United Kingdom–based Nude Skincare has made quite a splash in that part of the world. It was founded by "eco-entrepreneur" Bryan Meehan, owner of the U.K.'s Fresh and Wild organic grocery stores (their American parent company is Whole Foods). Now, in addition to selling healthy foods, he mixes them into cosmetics and sells them as well, which was a natural (pun intended) next step for Meehan. After all, it was only a matter of time before he noticed and took advantage of the fact that natural skin-care products sell well in health food stores, just as major grocery stores sell mass-market product lines. Thus, Nude Skincare was born, and according to Meehan, Nude Skincare is "the first luxury skincare line that is free from the chemicals your body would rather avoid." Regrettably, the only luxurious parts of Nude Skincare products are the prices.
The endless parade of natural or organic product lines and their endless claims of how pure and healthy their products are is exhausting and more fiction than fact. Much like antiwrinkle and anti-aging claims, the hype and misleading information about natural ingredients appear time and time again. It is important to reiterate that there are good and bad ingredients in both the natural and the synthetic realms. Plus, labeling something "natural" doesn't mean it is. But of course that didn't stop Nude Skincare, a company that claims to be all natural, but isn't. Regardless, this line claims to be all you need for skin, which isn't true either.
One look at Nude Skincare products' ingredient lists make it abundantly clear that the ingredients in their products are not all natural. Like many cosmetics companies, Nude Skincare attempts to get around the synthetic aspects of their ingredients by putting the natural source of their chemical-sounding ingredients in parenthesis. Describing dicaprylyl ether or lauryl alcohol as coming from coconut doesn't mean you can take that ingredient and make a piña colada; those ingredients are not found in nature. We're not saying that those ingredients are bad for skin, but misleading claims don't add up to good skin care; what counts is what works on your skin. Of course, plants have a place in skin care, but they also have drawbacks, although the latter fact seems to fall on deaf ears among those converted to natural and among those fear mongers who love to make women afraid of anything synthetic. Ironically, however, Nude Skincare also includes several natural ingredients that, unfortunately, have published, peer-reviewed research showing that our skin is better off without them!
Adding this to my Sephora basket! I'm sold :) I've never tried a balm cleanser in a tube that emulsifies, but my Clinique Take the Day Off balm does, and it's what's so great about it. It's just in a fiddly pot, and also, I use it as a first cleanse to actually take off all my makeup. This really does sound like a good second cleanse!
ReplyDeleteAny one that doesn't irritate the eyes is a huge winner! I've been so curious to try this one, and your experience with it makes me think I should take the plunge as soon as I finish up the removers I'm using.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I have this on my list when I finish at least one of my cleansers.
ReplyDelete