I’m still experimenting with facial cleansers ever since I stopped using cleansing oils. On a previous occasion, I was playing around with cleansing milk or cream cleansers. They were ok, but not quite what I was looking for. Then, I was using cleansing water and micellar water. Refreshing, but although I really like the Bioderma micellar water and use it almost daily, something was lacking.
So lately, I’m trying out cleansing balms. The first one I tried was the Eve Lom Cleanser. I like it. I love travelling with it in particular, because it is an excellent makeup remover and leaves my skin feeling lovely, soft and clean. It is also chock-a-block with mineral oil which many people shy away from. So, I recently gave an organic option a go.
The organic option is the Antipodes Grapeseed Butter Cleanser and I must say, it took me months to warm up to this and it came down to learning how much to use, and the best way to remove it. Ever since being introduced to the brand, I have to say that my perception of organic skincare has changed a little.
I used to shy away, because I had a poor experience before. But my experience with Antipodes skincare has so far been positive in almost all respects. It does please me to realise this as I now have a brand I can turn to if I want something organic and natural.
So, the Grapeseed Butter Cleaner. You have to firstly understand that this is a cleansing balm. It is quite unlike your regular wash and go cleanser. It takes a little more effort and a little more work. But it is worth it, I promise 🙂
The product comes in a plastic tub and the tub leaks. Trust me when I tell you that you do not want to travel with this one. I found that if you leave this without using, you may find some oil on the surface. Also, because it is a natural and organic product, it doesn’t last very long on the shelves.
There is a little spatula inside I believe but I’ve lost mine 😛 So I just use my fingers. It’s just me using this, and I’m cootie-free 😛 First, I have to mention the scent. It’s not all that pleasant to most but I’m ok with it. It is a scent of lavender and herbs and honey and smells very “natural” if you get my meaning. I will say that it won’t appeal to everyone.
Second the texture takes some getting used to. It is quite soft, and oily. Very much like butter. I take some, warm it up and then apply it to dry skin. It will lighten as you warm it up, and applies like a balm on your skin. I like to take a few minutes to massage it over my face and there seem to be some very small exfoliating bits in it.
Now comes the difficult part. Removing.
Unlike a cleansing oil that emulsifies in water, this cleanser, like the Eve Lom Cleanser needs to be removed with a cloth. Don’t make the mistake I did of thinking I could wash it off. You can’t. Eve Lom provides you with a muslin cloth in the box. Antipodes doesn’t. I do wish they did, because not everyone may realise that they need a wash cloth to remove this balm!
If you don’t have a muslin cloth, fret not. I found that a muslin cloth didn’t work very well 😛 So, I just use a wash cloth. A face towel, if you may. You know those terry cloth squares that you may not be sure what to do with? Or if you have kids, the handkerchiefs you use to mop up their mess. Those.
I wet it in hot water (my shower water) then squeeze out the water and lay it on my skin, pressing lightly. Then, I wet it again, squeeze out the water again, and repeat. On my third time, I then start to wipe away the balm. You will see it on your wash cloth and it isn’t a very pretty sight. I do it about 3 times to make sure it is all clean.
But once you’re done, your skin feels amazing. It feels clean and soft and smooth. Apparently you can use this as a makeup remover as well, but I don’t (I tried, it doesn’t work very well). I take off my makeup using an eye makeup remover and the Bioderma micellar water first just to be sure.
Ever since I worked out how best to use this, I have been using it very often. I hesitate to say everyday, because some days, it just takes too much effort. But I try. My skin seems to like it and I did not experience clogging or anything uncomfortable. In fact, my skin seems to look better but I’m not sure it’s 100% attributable to this product.
I will warn you that if you don’t remove it properly, your skin will feel a little uncomfortable, and oily and sticky. As if you have a layer of balm on it, which you do. It put me off initially. So, the removal is important. Follow up with a foaming cleanser if you like. I sometimes do, and sometimes don’t. It is almost as if you are giving yourself a little facial at home, and my skin has been looking much better since I started trying this one. I don’t know if it’s the whole process that’s making a difference, but I’m starting to warm up to using a cleansing balm.
In a nutshell
The Antipodes Grapeseed Butter Cleanser is a balm type face cleanser. The brand is natural and organic and hails from New Zealand. The balm is quite easy to use. You do have to massage it into your skin and the removal process is quite a pain as you have to use a washcloth. But I like how clean and comfortable my skin feels thereafter. I sometimes follow up with a cleansing gel but sometimes I don’t. If you are familiar with the Eve Lom Cleanser or a cleansing balm, then this is a natural and organic alternative. Doesn’t smell wonderful, but skin feels lovely thereafter.
Pros: Skin feels very clean and smooth after using, Feels gentle on skin
Cons: Pricey, Removal takes a longer time, Smell may not agree with everyone, Hard to travel with as packaging may leak
Who will like this: Anyone who is looking for an organic and natural alternative cleansing balm
Here is the ingredient list for anyone interested.
Have you tried this before? Have you used a cleansing balm and have one to recommend?
I do have this on my repurchase list, unless I find a substitute in a different brand, but there aren’t that many cleansing balms available, I’ve noticed. I have the RMK Cleansing Balm up next and I also hear the Clinique Cleansing Balm is quite good so that’s 2 more to go before I come back to this one, I reckon.
Paris B
Antipodes Grapeseed Butter Cleanser Price: RM178/75g | NZ$46.90 Availability: TNS Skinlabs (Malaysia) and the Antipodes website
I’ve only tried 2 cleansing balms and they are Clinique’s and Bobbi Brown Extra Balm Rinse. If I haven’t tried the Bobbi Brown one, I’d say I like really Clinique’s. However, having tried both, I’ve decided to re-purchase Bobbi Brown even though it’s pricey. I love the scent, it removes easily, leaves my skin feeling baby soft and the tub lasts a long time! If you’re looking for another to try, I do recommend this 🙂
I didn’t even know Bobbi Brown did a cleansing balm! Ok, definitely going to have to take a look at that one, thanks!
I’m in my second jar of Clinique Cleansing Balm, it is great and left no oil residue on the face. SA told me that I just need to rinse off directly after massaging without emulsifying. I tried and it is work too. And then I try to emulsify it the other day, it also works the same. I highly recommend it!
Does it feel sticky Wynnce, or do you literally just rinse it off without a washcloth? I do like using a washcloth so I don’t mind, but there are benefits to being able to rinse off easily for days when I’m too tired 😀
Yes, I just rinse them off literally without washing cloth/sponge. They won’t leave any oily and sticky residue, that’s why I’m loving it~
Ah that’s useful! I’ll check it out!
I haven’t tried this cleansing balm, but having used other “natural” cleansers in the past I will say that you should be vigilant about checking to make sure they haven’t expired – they really do go off quicker than your typical cleansing foams and oils. I will never forget the day I took a scoop of some cleansing balm out of the jar (purchased ages ago from some Etsy seller, I forget the brand) and rubbed it all over my face, only to realize it was covered with mold. :X
Good point Rebecca! I do find that natural and organic products do tend to go off more quickly which they attribute to the fact that there are less chemical preservatives in there. Thanks for sharing this tip!
This sounds tricky. More tricky than Eve Lom Cleanser. I’ve finished the jar I bought from Eve Lom. Thinking to try Bobbi Brown’s after reading the review from Lily 😀
It’s about the same as the Eve Lom Cleanser just a little more “sticky” But after cleansing, I feel that it feels better than using the Eve Lom Cleanser. Like my skin can breathe better 🙂 I finished up my Eve Lom cleanser too! Really great for travelling because it removes makeup so well.
I’ve recently bought a cleansing balm but I haven’t really tried it yet.
This sounds really interesting, I’ve always read great things about Antipodes’s products. Actually, I think I may have heard about the brand from you first 😀
Haha! I only just learned about the brand recently myself but they really do have good stuff and work well with my skin 😀 Good news bears spreading 😀 Which cleansing balm did you get S?
Great review – thank you. I’ve never tried a cleansing balm before but may give it a go now… 🙂
Thank you Kristi, I hope you’ll enjoy using one. I find it very relaxing because you have to massage it into your skin 🙂
Hey Paris, I’m glad to hear you like this! I’ve been thinking about trying this one, but I haven’t taken the plunge yet! I love cleansing balms in general though. My favorite is Omorocicza. I’ve tried an Elemental Herbology one that I didn’t dislike, but didn’t like enough to purchase it full-size either. I read somewhere that the coconut oil in this one could cause breakouts, but I’m glad to hear your skin is loving it!
Ahhh Sunny you should be the Omorocicza ambassador LOL I swear you have me wanting their oil and now their cleansing balm! I have found a few sites that stock it and will ship to me but oh my, the prices! *faints* No breakouts from this one, but you do have to make sure you clean it off properly 🙂
I’ve learnt a new word today: cootie… hahahaha.
The Antipodes one also look like lemon curd or passion fruit jam… yummy yummy! 🙂 Such a shame the jar leaks… It’s yellow like the B. Brown’s Extra Balm Rinse! I do love that one. It’s citrus and it comes in a heavy-duty glass jar that warms up as you apply on skin. Heavy duty? Yes, totally! It was dropped from height of about 75 cm onto hard tiles and it didn’t break. Only the plastic cover broke a little. :p
As always, I have silly question to ask. Using hot towel / water on face… does that make your skin dry?
And the font “Antipodes” in your picture is too cute! It’s my sort of doodle font. Can u tell me what font type it is? Pretty please? 😉
LOL!! We learn something new everyday! 😉 You are actually 100% right that it looks like lemon curd! You won’t want to smear it on your scone though coz it smells nothing like lemons. I haven’t tried the Bobbi Brown Extra Balm Rinse. I just found out it existed!
I don’t use a very hot towel – just shower temperature and no, my skin doesn’t feel dry. I think it’s because I use a balm so it isn’t drying. If I were using a foam cleanser with it then maybe. I can’t recall off hand the font but it could be King Cool KC although you can also use Amatic for a similar look 🙂
Great review ! 🙂 You may be interested in Emma Hardie cleansing balm as well, the smell is amazing ! I use it when I have make up on or spf and it does a great job !
I’ve come across Emma Hardie in some online reviews, so thank you for reminding me of it! I don’t think we get it here, but I’ll keep an eye out for it online 🙂
I used this one before and I love it, it did take me a while to get used to the smell. Once you do you’ll miss it once it’s empty 🙂
The first time I used my muslin with it, it looked as if I peed on the cloth.. such a yellow stain of the balm.. washcloths are best with this. You should just massage it in till your skin feels velvet like, then run warm water on a cloth and just wipe it off. No need to let a cloth lay on your face. This is of course keeping in mind you massaged it in enough to make it a soft balm and not the solid product in the container.
Travel with mine was fine, never leaked at all and it stayed solid 🙂
Haha peed on the cloth! You are right about this one. I much prefer using a wash cloth. It’s also easier to clean! Thanks for the tip to massage it in longer. I tried it yesterday and you’re right, it does make it much easier to remove and it feels so relaxing too 😀 Mine leaked which was a pity but it’s good to know it’s not the norm
You should do this review earlier because I’ve already throw mine cleaning balm to the bin.
It really put me off because I couldn’t remove the balm of my face. (I don’t think it says clearly in the instruction that we need to remove it by using a cloth) 🙁
Sorry to hear that Kris 🙁 I think it does say on the box but I am not happy that they didn’t think to include a piece in there because it would just make sense! There’s no other way to remove this balm. It is very good though, but I can understand why you’d not want to try it again.
After reading your reviews, I went to grab one. The smell is so soothing. Is like Hving an aromatherapy while cleaning the face. Now I’m tempted to check out Bobbi brown one
I’m happy you like it too! I’ve been using it almost everyday with a warm washcloth and my skin feels wonderful 😀
i’m trying to look for something to cure my face complexion! getting dry and gotta do more facial care! When i see the price on top here.. wow.. quite pricey! >~<!
but it seems worth a try.. perhaps i should try look around on this balm cleanser =)
Yep, this one is pricey alright but the range is generally a little pricey. Not bad though but it is just a cleanser so there’s still serums or moisturisers to help with your skin 🙂
The one by stark skincare is excellent and I’m obsessed with it!! Most of my acne is gone and I’ve had persistent adult acne for a long long time. I really recommend and a little goes a long way.