Affordable and Effective: The Bio-Essence Miracle Bio Water Jelly Makeup Remover is a one step cleanser

When I saw that this Bio-Essence Miracle Bio Water Jelly Makeup Remover was selling in the UK for more than DOUBLE what it costs at a local pharmacy here, I confess to letting out a manic mad-scientist howl of laughter. I let out the very same howl of laughter when I came across the last Bio-Essence product that I thought was awful, nevermind the crazy raves it was getting, for reasons unknown to me.

But when I saw it on sale one day, I decided to give it a go. The idea of a “Jelly Makeup Remover” interested me, and I love nothing more than to debunk cult statuses of products 😀

And then I promptly forgot about it LOL! Oh yes, I’m kind of horrible that way.

It wasn’t until I got round to chatting with a friend, Suzanne, who told me that this was her holy grail makeup remover, that she stocked up on at every opportunity, sweeping pharmacy shelves clean of it whenever she spots it. I gave her the side-eye. Erm. Really? 😛

When I got home, I headed straight for my skincare cupboard, because at the back of my mind, I had that niggling feeling that I had this. I just needed to find the damn thing! And find it I did and I think I understand why she liked it.

Well, you’ve heard of cleaning water and cleansing balm and cleansing oils, all used for removing makeup one way or another. Now, there’s something called a cleansing jelly – this isn’t the first time I’ve come across it. I believe that Melvita has one too (I bought it, but haven’t gotten round to using it) but this was cheaper and I wanted to see what a jelly makeup remover was.

Behold! The Bio-Essence Miracle Bio Water Jelly Makeup Remover! LOL!

It literally pumps out like a clear liquid jelly, with a slightly viscous gelatinous texture. I usually use about 3 pumps each time, on dry skin. Use it as you will a cleansing oil – dry hands and dry face. Massage it in, and then rinse it off.

How to use Bio-Essence Jelly Makeup Remover:

• 3 pumps onto dry hands and on dry skin
• Massage all over face to remove makeup. MASSAGE IT IN, don’t just wipe it over your face.
• Add water and rinse it off

Unlike a cleansing oil, the Bio-Essence Jelly Makeup Remover does not emulsify. It washes off, and it actually does lift off and clean off your makeup, but it will not emulsify. In that sense, I find that it isn’t as drying as a regular cleansing oil. It also isn’t as deep cleansing.

So, what it does is, as the name implies, remove makeup. Something it does quite well, for something that looks so innocuous. I find unlike cleansing oils, this does not sting my eyes, nor make them cloudy when I open them, and it rinses off a lot more easily with much less hassle. I keep this for those lazy days when I am a little lazy to remove everything first, before popping on a cleansing balm.

However, I do find this a little drying if used too often. Used once or twice a week, it’s fine and it doesn’t seem to overly dry the skin. Used any more regularly, I found that my skin would tighten up. I do suggest you using a second cleanse after this, but if you don’t want to, do know that it does remove makeup quite effectively, leaving no residue, so you can get by with just one cleanse. Just don’t be that lazy that often 😛

As a very affordable makeup remover, and a nice alternative to cleansing oils then, I will have to say that this Bio-Essence Jelly Makeup Remover is a pretty decent product. I personally feel that it’s better to use this than to use a cleansing water, simply because this actually REMOVES makeup better than most cleansing waters, and it does feel fairly gentle on skin.

What I dislike however, is the scent, which I find too sharp. I would prefer if they had killed the scent totally. What I also dislike is how expensive it is online – a little over double the price. I suppose there’s a premium to pay for convenience, but really, if you have friends or family in Asia, get them to buy it for you when they come to this part of the world – you save so much more, and it often goes on sale! It’s just not worth £16, whatever anyone says.

IN A NUTSHELL

The Bio-Essence Miracle Bio Water Jelly Makeup Remover is first and foremost, a makeup remover and less of a cleanser. If you don’t wear makeup and were to use this as a first cleanse, I’d find it too strong. I’d use something else more nourishing to the skin in that situation. While this isn’t drying, I do find that regular use can cause my skin to feel tight, which means that it does strip the skin, just a little more gently. After all, it does and will remove most makeup quite easily, so imagine what else it is removing at the same time. I detest the scent, although the texture is interesting, and it rinses off easily. A fun buy, but I won’t repurchase because I prefer going at it more gently with my skin, and a more nourishing cleansing balm.

PROS: Affordable, Removes most makeup very easily, Rinses off easily without too much hassle, One-step makeup remover and cleanser for lazy days

CONS: Weird scent, Can be drying if used too often

WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants a one-step makeup remover that removes makeup easily without stripping the skin too much

PRICE: RM41.90 (often on sale)| £16

WHERE TO BUY: Most major pharmacies where Bio-Essence is sold, online at Cult Beauty

If you’re interested as to what’s in there, here’s the ingredient list.

Have you tried this allegedly cult product? Are there other Bio-Essence products worth trying?

I’ve tried 2 items from this brand so far and to be honest, they’re very indicative of the quality of locally/regionally manufactured brands. Gimmicky and average at best. Hardly deserving of the cult status that it apparently enjoys overseas. But then, I’m not a fan of this brand anyway – I know too much about its origins HAHA! 😉

Paris B