Good Molecules Instant Cleansing Balm ($15) has recently launched at beautylish.com, and it's been creating quite a buzz. If you're a skincare enthusiast, you may already be familiar with Good Molecules, Beautylish's own brand of affordable skincare products. Similar to cult-favorites like The Ordinary and The Inkey List, Good Molecules offers minimal yet effective formulations at budget-friendly prices.
I was personally drawn to the brand after trying their Super Seven Set, which was their initial release. Since then, they have expanded their range to include exciting new products, and I was thrilled to find out that they added a cleansing balm to their lineup.
The Good Molecules Instant Cleansing Balm comes in a 2.5 oz size and is priced at $15. Beautylish also offers the option to purchase it in two-packs or three-packs. As someone who goes through cleansers quickly, I appreciated the multiple pack options. However, I was disappointed to find that there were no savings with the packs. It seemed pointless to offer them without any cost benefit. Nevertheless, let's move forward and explore the product itself.
If we compare prices, Clinique's Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm is priced at $30 for a 3.8 oz size. Although Good Molecules' option is more affordable, it is slightly smaller (and truth be told, Clinique's formula is superior). To make a fairer comparison, we can turn to drugstore brands. POND'S Cleansing Balm, for example, is priced at $9.99 for a 3.38 oz size and boasts a better formula. In fact, there are various drugstore options that outshine Good Molecules in terms of both price and effectiveness. Banila Co's Clean It Zero 3-in-1 Cleansing Balm, which is larger at 3.0 oz, retails for $19 but delivers a superior formula.
Now, let's delve into the formula itself. I must say, I had mixed feelings about it. Given that it's made in Korea, known for its excellent cleansing balms, I expected a more impressive formulation from Beautylish. The balm does contain fragrance oils, such as geranium and ylang-ylang, which lend it a light citrusy scent. While I personally didn't mind the fragrance, sensitive users might find it off-putting. Considering Korea's expertise in creating top-notch cleansing balms, I was somewhat surprised that this particular formula fell short.
As with any cleansing balm, Good Molecules Instant Cleansing Balm has a solid texture that is meant to melt easily upon application and be rinsed away with water. You simply apply it to dry skin, massage it in, and add a little water to emulsify it. After that, you can rinse it off effortlessly. However, I found the texture to be similar to Ulta's Cleansing Balm, which has a waxy feel. Unlike Ulta's formula, though, Good Molecules' balm didn't melt down quickly enough for my liking. I felt like I was chasing chunks of it around my face, which was quite frustrating.
I must admit that once it was successfully massaged in, the cleansing balm did rinse off easily and effectively removed makeup. It didn't leave my skin feeling tight or dry, nor did it irritate my eyes or cause any blurry vision. However, the process of breaking down the solid balm proved to be more trouble than it was worth. There are superior cleansing balm options available that melt instantly upon contact with the skin, which makes this extra effort seem unnecessary.
Overall, while Good Molecules Instant Cleansing Balm does a decent job of removing makeup without leaving the skin feeling uncomfortable, its texture and formula need improvement before I would consider repurchasing it. The tedious process of melting the balm completely detracts from the overall experience. Fortunately, there are plenty of better cleansing balm options out there to explore.
Have you tried Good Molecules Instant Cleansing Balm? If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
You can find Good Molecules Instant Cleansing Balm available for purchase at Beautylish.
Where to buy
Beautylish
