Reviewed: Youth To The People Superberry Dream Cleansing Balm

Skincare newbies and seasoned pros alike know how important the double-cleanse is to a daily routine. Sloughing off your makeup with a balm before washing your face with a water-based cleanser ensures you get all of the dirt and gunk off of your face. Youth to the People—reading my mind and need for a product that will give my complexion a deeper cleanse—recently came out with its Superberry Dream Cleansing Balm, an emollient balm infused with moisture-retaining hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and three different types of oils.

IMO, the key to a great cleansing balm is a formula that is lightweight and silky. So I tested out Youth To The People’s newest one to see how it stacks up to competitors.  Read on to find out if this should makeup-removing product should be the newest addition to your beauty routine. 

About My Skin: Dry and breakout-prone

As someone who has breakout-prone, sensitive, and dry skin, double-cleansing my face is crucial to my everyday routine. The skincare helps prevent irritation and breakouts. (If I forget to take my makeup off one night, my skin ends up red and blotchy the next morning.) To address my skin's thirst level, I opt for products with a bevy of moisturizing ingredients.

The Feel: Soft and milky

The formula actually goes through three different stages: Straight out of the jar, the balm has a smooth, whipped feeling to it. In your hand, it starts to melt into an oily formula, and finally, after massaging into your skin with a bit of water, it transforms into a milky cream. 

I’ve been turned off from makeup removing balms because of how messy they can become, but this one is different. The oily feeling isn’t overwhelming and the formula doesn’t turn so liquid-y that it starts dripping off your face. Plus, it doesn’t leave you with that greasy feeling that some oil cleansers tend to do post-application. Instead, you’re left with smooth, polished skin that’s ready for the next step in your skincare routine. 

The Ingredients: Antioxidant-rich and clean

• Moringa Oil: It's filled with antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and E and helps to moisturize dry skin. 
• Jojoba Oil: Derived from the seeds of the Jojoba shrub, this oil is packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties and helps to melt away makeup. 
• Prickly Pear: This is a hydrating cactus extract. It is high in antioxidants, polyphenols, and soothing amino acids.
• Goji, Maqui, and Acai Berries: These antioxidants help defend skin against oxidative damage. 
• Oil-Soluble Hyaluronic Acid Blend: Used specifically in cosmetic products, three molecular weights dig deep into the skin and keep skin hydrating after cleansing.

The Results: Thoroughly cleansed and hydrated skin

As someone who has steered clear of cleansing balms in the past, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this balm is unlike any other that I’ve tried before. The balm was able to remove everything from my foundation to my waterproof mascara effortlessly. After I washed the melted cleanser off, my skin felt rejuvenated. I noticed that my skin looked more radiant and felt soft to the touch. While this isn’t a replacement for a daily cleanser, I definitely felt the dirt and oil from my day gone from my skin.

Long term, I felt my skin feel more hydrated than it’s ever felt while double-cleansing. My one minor complaint is that I wish there were a small applicator that I could scoop the product out of, but that isn’t anything that would steer me away from repurchasing. It just feels slightly unsanitary to keep dipping my fingers into the jar day after day. But, overall, this formula stands apart from other balms and does its job and then some. 

The Value: Worth every penny

When compared to the prices of other cleansing balms, this falls in the middle of the range—and it's worth every penny. You are getting over three ounces of product, which will last a couple of months, considering you only need to use a small amount.

Similar Products: You have options

JUNO & Co. Clean 10 Cleansing Balm: This budget-friendly cleansing balm ($15) from Juno & Co. is an oil-based cleanser that removes makeup, dirt, and oils that may have built up during the day. It has a similar consistency to Youth To The People’s cleansing balm, melting into a milky formula upon application. 

Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm: Winner of Byrdie’s 2019 Skincare Award, Then I Met You’s  Living Cleansing Balm ($38) is a favorite cleansing balm amongst beauty-lovers. Apart from removing makeup, this balm also has anti-aging properties and brightens skin.  

The Final Verdict

Youth To The People has produced some of my favorite skincare products, so I was thrilled to see that this cleansing balm is the real deal. Not only does it remove even the most stubborn makeup and dirt, but it also moisturizes and leaves skin glowing and renewed. I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a new makeup remover, even those who have been hesitant about balms in the past.